Health Is Everything
We as groomers are in no way qualified as professional vets, but we can be a helpful source in bringing to your attention anything that we may find unusual or abnormal about your dog. We do this by performing a health check on your pup when they first land on the grooming table. We may in turn advise you to seek veterinary attention.
Obviously now with longer spells at home, I wanted to outline the best way you can keep a check on the general health of your dog. PLEASE NOTE vets services are limited at this time, please only contact them if you are extremely concerned over the health and welfare of your dog. If you are concerned about anything please do seek advice.
1. Eyes
Looking head on at your dog make sure their eyes are clear, alert and they respond to movement well, there should be no discharge or cloudiness. Check for any unusual lumps, bumps or redness and no ingrowing eyelashes. To keep eyes at their best, bathe and wipe clean regularly to prevent any build up of discharge.
2. Ears
Ears should be a lovely pink colour with no redness inside or around. Parasites love to inhabit this area of your dog, so check for any visible infestation of fleas, ticks etc. and treat accordingly. There should be no odour or waxy secretions and equally no pain or swelling to touch. I advise to regularly cleaning your dogs ears to prevent wax and dirt build up.
3. Nose
Check your pups nose for any unusual discharge that maybe leaking from it. Ensure there are no cracks, lumps, bumps or sores. Also have a good look inside to make sure no foreign bodies are stuck up there like small twigs, grass seeds etc. Preventive care would include using a paw balm for dry noses, and also on warm days protect it with a small amount of sunscreen.
4. Mouth, Teeth & Gums
Your dog should have healthy pink gums with no breath odour, broken or missing teeth. Check for any inflammation, lumps, bumps and cuts. Also look for any extreme tartar build up. Maintaining a good diet and regularly brushing your pups teeth will keep your dogs oral hygiene in check.
5. Skin & Coat
Your dog should have a healthy coat, with no matts or tangles. Check the skin for any sign of parasite infestation, lumps, bumps, pain or swelling. Your dog should also be maintaining a healthy weight. A good diet and regular in salon and at home grooming programme will keep your dog at its best.
6. Limbs, Feet & Nails
It is important to check the movement of your dog, to ensure they are not obviously in some discomfort. Observe that they move well without restriction, no obvious lumps, bumps or swelling. Check paws for broken or ingrown nails and cracked or sore pads. Have your pups nails trimmed regularly and hair removed in-between pads at the grooming salon. Maintain a good exercise plan.
7. Mammary Line, Genital & Anal Area
There should be no odour or discharge from these areas, check for soreness. swelling and visual signs of parasites. Always feel this area for possible lumps, bumps and pain. Always keep these areas as clean as possible. If you are concerned about any abnormality in any of these areas consult a vet immediately.
8. General Appearance
Your pup should be a good weight with a healthy coat, whilst remaining alert with a generally happy demeanour and a wagging tail. Ears and head should be up.
9. Movement & Behaviour
Your dog should be able to move well with no pain or discomfort and show no signs of lameness. They should be generally happy within themselves, enjoy being playful and interacting with other dogs and people.
10. Bodily Functions
Not the most enjoyable but can be very telling. You dog should be regular and have clear urine and stool with a good general smell and colour ( although specific diets can effect this).
Thank you for reading grooming tips, we look forward to giving you at home advice for your pups...
Thanks Jill xx