Need help with my older dog and grooming!

Kathyyar · 10-20-2009, 02:30 PM

I am new to this forum! I have always been a dog owner and currently have a 3 yr old corgi (Sallie) and a 12 yr old "long haired german shitzoodle" (Dixie). My problem is Dixie!

I have Dixie groomed as needed because she was originally a rescue dog who had been badly beaten and she will always, despite professional training, have trust issues. She has developed cysts that are harmless according to the vet and will probably grow back if they are removed. However, they are becoming more numerous as she ages. The last few times I've had her groomed, she comes back with her most of her cysts raw and bleeding even though the groomer uses something to stop the active bleeding. She then licks and fusses with them for weeks and is miserable.

I've used this groomer for years. I've explained several times that Dixie has growths and asked them to be careful. I pointed out the growths. I don't know what else to do. Dixie normally is groomed very short. Is there another way I should communicate with my groomer, ie. another type of cut I can ask for? Not clipping is not an option because her hair grows out long and very kinky but fine and then it mats easily!

Help! Should I learn (is there a training video) how to hand-clip her with scissors???? I can't let her go back and basically be "butchered." She is totally miserable. But I hate to blame the groomer because I know the Dixie is now pretty difficult to groom with electric clippers. I can't be the only person with an old doggie who has cysts and lumps!

Any suggestions would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Kathy

Graco22 · 10-20-2009, 03:29 PM

Unfortunately, when a dog is covered in the bumps and moles/warts/cysts like you describe, they will bleed after grooming. Sometimes its because some of them leak a fluid, crust and scab up, and during the bath, the scabs come loose, causing the fluid/blood leaking again. And sometimes, (especially when clipping with a short blade) those are going to get "scraped" with the blade, brush, combs, etc and cause them to bleed again. My experience is that they are VERY easy to "disturb" and cause bleeding. And when a dog has so many of them, they are unavoidable, no matter how careful. The only thing that may help is by not clipping her so short. Using an attachment comb will not be as abrasive to the cysts, but chances are, just grazing the attachment over them is going to cause them to bleed..I suggest you do give it a try at home. I think you will find the groomer is doing the best they can on a 13 year old dog that is covered with cysts and bumps. You can also get your dog a sweater/jacket to cover her for a few days after grooming so she will leave them alone. Its instinct for a dog to lick anything bleeding or oozing on their bodies, and that will help. I understand your concerns, but on a pet like yours, it can be unavoidable for the cysts to bleed and ooze. Poor old girl.

Tankstar · 10-20-2009, 04:37 PM

^^^ This 100%

We have so many odler dogs who come in to our shop. who are covered in warts, lumps and bumps. And it is very very difficult not to cut them/disturb them. As said even a bath will make them bleed. We always feel terrible and do our best not to mess witht hem, but it can bery very difficult. attach a dog with issues to that and its pretty unavoidable.

I agree with putting a sweater on her so she can fuss with them as much.

Kathyyar · 10-20-2009, 05:17 PM

Thanks for your reply. I do feel sorry for my poor groomer. Are there any training videos for learning to "hand-clip" a dog??? The sweater is a good idea except Dixie has these things on her feet as well! Our best guess is that she is a poodle, shiz, schnauzer mix.

I had another thought------would it help if I marked all of her cysts with a marker before taking her to my groomer????

Graco22 · 10-20-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathyyar

Thanks for your reply. I do feel sorry for my poor groomer. Are there any training videos for learning to "hand-clip" a dog??? The sweater is a good idea except Dixie has these things on her feet as well! Our best guess is that she is a poodle, shiz, schnauzer mix.

I had another thought------would it help if I marked all of her cysts with a marker before taking her to my groomer????

There are many videos and tons of info online on how to clip your own dog. I personally don't think marking them is going to help. Most groomers bath first..so the marker is going to come off...and if its not, what is she to do? Clip around them and leave tufts of hair around each one? That is all that can be done to avoid bumping them..and just the bath is going to have some of them bleeding anyway. Ideally, you would have her clipped longer, with an attachment, rather than a short blade. That is going to help the most, but there is NO way to avoid clipping her in any way, and not aggravating some of them. Give it a try at home. I think that will help you understand more. Just buy a professional clipper (Andis AG Super 2 speeds IMO) and whatever size blade you want her coat to be left..I am guessing you are clipping her down with a 5F or 7F from what you describe. You will also need a 10 blade for privates and foot pads, eye corners. And a pair of shears to clean up feet and face/ears/tail. And a sweater on her body is going to at least keep her from getting at those...better than nothing.