Professional Dog Grooming
Think grooming a dog involves washing it in the bathtub? Think you don't need
a groomer?
Dog groomers do far more than just fluff and dry; they address several vital
health practices regarding your dog's eyes, ears, and anal glands. Of course,
it's not impossible to take care of these grooming concerns yourself, but in
many instances it's safer and more practical to let a professional handle these
sensitive areas.
Proper ear car requires periodic ear cleanings. Veterinarians and professional
dog groomers use an agent that dissolves earwax, or saline solution to clean
dogs' ears. These cleaning agents are usually put into the ear before bathing.
It is crucial for the groomer to keep the dog's ears dry. If water runs into
a dog's ear during the bath, a drying agent containing isopropyl alcohol, acetic
acid, or boric acid must be put into the ear. Professional dog groomers recommend
using a wash rag instead of Q-tips to help dry out the ears. Using Q-tips increases
the chance of injuring the dog's eardrum. If the cleaning requires reaching
places that are out of a wash-rag's reach you should seek professional help.
Dog groomers usually apply an ointment to the dog's eyes before bathing in
order to protect the cornea. However, the trend is to move away from these practices
because some professionals believe the ointment may trap irritants that run
into the eyes during the bath. Closing, redness, squinting, and excessive tearing
are good indicators of eye problems.
Another part of proper dog grooming that the
professionals see to is expressing the anal glands. Have you ever noticed your
dog dragging its bottom across the carpet? If you have, you know how important
it is to take it to the dog groomer. What it is trying to do is release the
fluid that has built up in tiny sacs located under the base of his tail. If
he is successful, you will know it by the rank smell. Since the sacs are fragile
(and discoloration of the fluid could indicate infection), this part of grooming
should be left to a professional or a veterinarian.
Adequate grooming is absolutely necessary to maintain your dog's health. If
it's something you want to do personally, educate yourself on the finer points.
But using a professional dog groomer will be the most beneficial to you in the
long run.
About the Author:Christopher Thomas enjoys writing for several
well-known web sites, on home and family and family pets topics. Read more articles
by: Christopher
Thomas
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