Pre-grooming and General Care
health status. A healthy animal is alert, ready to exercise, constantly observing
humans in its environment and generally is a creature of habit. Deviation from
normal habits and character may be cause for concern. A healthy animal will not
have any of the following:
• Unpleasant or new odours
• Discharge from the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, body or uro-genital areas
• Loss of appetite (Fig. 3.1)
• Increase in thirst and frequency of urination
• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Difficulty in moving
• Breathing problems
• Unwillingness to exercise (Fig. 3.2)
Outside their home environment many animals feel stressed. Signs of anxiety
and stress in an animal include:
• Excessive salivation
• Shivering
• Aggression/fear
• Rapid breathing/panting
• Rapid pulse and heart rate
• Pale mucous membranes
If an animal has a medical condition it may respond in one or more of the above
listed ways when in strange surroundings. Always take this into account when
handling an animal, and if you have any concerns, report them to the owner.
Grooming will be a daily and/or a weekly event for the owner depending on
the type of coat of the dog or cat. A cat that moults or sheds coat hair in spring
needs careful grooming assistance from its owner, especially if it has a long or
semi-long coat. Otherwise it can swallow a lot of loose hair while self grooming,
resulting in a hair ball, which may then require veterinary attention.
Grooming provides an opportunity to check and assist in the maintenance of an
animal’s health. In the grooming salon a systematic approach to the animal as a
whole should be employed as described in the following sections.
EYES
The eyes should be bright and free of any discharge. The third eyelid, also known
as the nictitating membrane, should be in the normal position (i.e. below the
lower lid, just visible in the inner corner of the eye). Ideally, the eyes should be
cleaned before grooming. Clean away any debris or dried tears as follows:
• Gently supporting the animal’s head and with a piece of cotton wool moistened
with warm water wipe from the inner corner of the eye, down over the upper
lid to the nose (Fig. 3.3).
• Turn the cotton wool after completing the movement, to prevent replacing
the dry material from the inner corner of the eye. Repeat the movement as
required.
• Finally, wipe the whole eyelid area in the direction of the coat hair.
• Dispose of the cotton wool used for the first eye and start again on the other eye
with a new piece of moistened cotton wool.
EARS
The ears should be free of wax and hair. They should be a dull pink colour and
without odour. Check for signs of discomfort, smell or reluctance by the animal
when examining the ear flap (Fig. 3.4) as described below.
• Lift the ear flap gently to open the ear canal.
• Moisten a piece of cotton wool with warm water and wipe away any ear wax or
dirt from the ear canal (Fig. 3.5). This may require more than one piece of cotton
wool.
• Repeat this to include the outer cartilaginous section of the ear flap, gently
wiping between the cartilage valleys. Wipe dry.
• If required, pluck any long hair from inside the ear canal using your fingers
only. Take hold of the ear flap, lift it up and lay it flat on the dog’s head. This
protects the ear canal by closing it and at the same time gives a clear view of the
outer ear.
• Pull only a few hairs at a time with quick firm movements (Fig. 3.6).
Cotton buds (if being used) should not be put into the ear canal. If the animal
moves, the ear drum can get damaged. Buds should only be used on the external
ear to wipe any wax that has shaken free from the canal.
MOUTH
Check that the gums and tongue are pink (except in breeds with pigmented
tongues and gums, e.g. Chow Chow) or partly pink with pigmented areas. Gums
should be well defined around each tooth, with no food or other materials sticking
to them (Fig. 3.7). The gums should not be sore (gingivitis) and there should be
no unusual odours in the breath.
Check that the teeth are not damaged and are a normal white colour with
no tartar deposits. Regular use of pet toothpaste while cleaning the teeth, if the
animal allows, can help prevent build-up of tartar on the teeth. Gently brush
the teeth using the toothpaste, toothbrush or, alternatively, a finger brush on the
outer surfaces of lower and upper teeth. Removal of tartar should be done by a
veterinary surgeon. Record and report any observations to the owner.
FACIAL CARE
Special care is required for breeds with facial skin folds, e.g. Shar Pei or Pug. To
prevent skin inflammation and infections in skin folds it is essential to keep the
wrinkles clean and dry as described below.
• Wipe the skin with cotton wool moistened in warm water.
• Wipe the whole face in the same direction as the lie of the coat hair, replacing
the cotton wool with clean ones as necessary (Fig. 3.8).
• Dry each fold area in turn.
• While cleaning, check each fold for signs of redness and record and report if
any.
• Check the rest of the face for parasites, lumps/bumps and any kind of skin
change.
NAIL AND CLAW CARE
The feet should be clean around the nail bed, with nails just in contact with the
ground. Any excess hair should be cut short between the pads and nails to prevent
mats and grass seed barbs penetrating the skin and causing inflammation or
infection.
Nails that are pigmented black tend to have longer nail beds, so beware of cutting
off too much. The area inside the nail, which cannot be seen, is called the nail
bed, or quick, and contains the blood supply and nerves.
Dogs have four toes on each foot, and each toe has a pad and a nail. In addition,
nails may be present slightly higher on the inside of the leg. These are called dew
nails. Some breeds have extra or supernumerary toes, e.g. Pyrenean Mountain
and Newfoundland. Active, healthy dogs do not need frequent nail clipping.
The nails will wear naturally with everyday use to remain just clear of, or just
touching, the ground when standing normally. An exception may be the dew
nail, which can grow into the nail bed if left unchecked (although they tend to be
slow growing in most breeds).
Cats have five toes on the front feet and four toes on the back feet. Each toe has a
claw, which is kept retracted most of the time. Occasionally, a cat’s claws will
need attention, particularly in older animals.
The procedure for clipping nails in dogs and claws in cats is as follows:
• Restrain and reassure the animal before and during the procedure.
• Spread each foot and inspect the area between the toes.
• Select the correct nail clipper (Fig. 3.9).
• Inspect each foot, identifying the nails or claws that need attention. Squeeze
each toe gently between the thumb and forefinger placed above and below the
toe, respectively, to extend the nail or claw.
• Locate the ‘quick’ (nerve and blood supply).
• Cut below the quick (only if required), removing only the pointed tip of the nail
or claw (Fig. 3.10).
• Smooth any rough edges with a nail file.
Have a styptic pencil or other coagulant agent at hand to stop any bleeding just in case
the quick is cut.
ANAL GLANDS
The anal glands are situated on either side of the anus, positioned at 4 o’clock and
8 o’clock with their ducts leading to openings at the anal rim (Fig. 3.11). The secretion
of the anal glands has an unpleasant smell, and it is thought the animal uses it
as a pheromone when marking territory. Occasionally a duct can get blocked and
the anal sac will need to be emptied. If a dog is seen licking the anal region or
drags its rear along the ground, this may mean that the glands are causing some
irritation and discomfort and need to be emptied.
If on examination prior to emptying the glands, they appear red, swollen or
painful, do not empty but recommend the owner to seek veterinary advice. While
emptying the glands, it is helpful if one person concentrates on restraining the
animal, allowing the second person to empty the glands safely. The procedure for
emptying anal glands is as follows:
• Wear gloves. (This is important for protection of the person who will empty the
glands.)
• Place a pad of cotton wool across the palm of one hand.
• Raise the dog’s tail with the other hand (Fig. 3.12).
• Hold the pad at the anal region.
• With the middle finger and thumb placed on either side of the anus squeeze,
pushing gently towards the anus. At the same time, squeeze upwards with the
other fingers partly behind the anal gland to empty the contents.
• Clean the anal region and dispose of contaminated cotton wool.
During the pre-grooming examination of the animal described above it is
useful to note any changes such as:
• Loss of hair and location.
• Changes in coat colour.
• A pot-bellied appearance due to changes in muscle and skin tone.
In some diseases, the skin can appear thin, with surface blood vessels clearly
visible. The skin may bruise easily with the appearance of small bleeding points
(pin points) under the skin surface (haematomas). Loss of hair (alopecia) may
range from slight thinning to complete loss on whole sections of the animal’s
body. Record and report to the owner if any alteration is noticed.
CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS
• Feline symmetrical alopecia: This is also known as feline hormonal alopecia. It
may be seen in neutered cats with hair loss initially around the anal region and
then in the abdominal and groin areas.
• Sertoli cell tumour: This is a testicular tumour seen in middle-aged and old
dogs. The hair loss is seen bilaterally in the flanks, around the anal region,
abdomen, and groin area.
• External parasites: Hair loss associated with parasites is usually seen in a
localised area, where the animal has been scratching itself, e.g. with surface/
subsurface parasites (fleas, lice and mites). Hair loss due to ringworm (dermatophytes
or fungal spores) infection occurs in circular areas. The affected
area has a red, raised circular margin.
• Calluses: These are located, in particular, on the elbows and hock region of
heavy dogs, and are caused by excessive pressure on the area from a hard
surface. Hair loss and thickening of the skin are seen.
LUMPS AND BUMPS
A tumour is an abnormal tissue swelling that occurs when growth and division
of the cells exceeds that of the surrounding normal tissue cells. Tumours can
appear anywhere in or on the body. Some are very slow growing and are usually
independent or movable relative to the neighbouring tissues. Others may grow
quickly or slowly, do not have an independent shape and invade the local tissues
as well.
Record and report to the owner if any have appeared since the last visit to the
grooming salon.
Skin tumours
• Warts (papilloma): These are tumours of the epithelial cells, seen in both dogs
and cats, and are often located on the lips, mouth, eyelids, and ears.
• Lipomas: These are tumours of surface fat cells, seen in older or obese animals.
They can be moved freely when the skin over them is lifted.
• Cysts: These are swellings which contain fluid (not blood or pus). The commonest
form occurs when a secretory skin gland gets blocked, thus preventing
escape of the fluid through its duct. Cysts may be sebaceous cysts or interdigital
cysts. Sebaceous cysts are seen in older animals and are situated within
the skin. The contents are sticky and viscous, and as a consequence the cyst
feels quite firm. Interdigital cysts are seen between the toes. Many contain a
foreign body, e.g. grass seed.
Hernias
A hernia is seen as a lump in the skin in certain locations on the body when an
organ or tissue protrudes through an opening in the body wall. They do not cause
any pain to the animal except when the organ or tissue becomes strangulated.
Hernias are described by their location:
• Inguinal hernia: This occurs in the groin and may contain uterus, intestines or
bladder. It is seen as a swelling in the groin, extending towards the vulva/anal
region.
• Umbilical hernia: This occurs at the navel and is usually seen in young animals.
As the animal grows it is less likely to allow tissues to protrude. However, if the
hernia is large enough to allow protrusion as the animal grows, the risk of
entrapment of tissue and strangulation of the blood supply is increased.
Animals coming into the grooming salon may have had surgery in the past. It is
useful to have records of any extensive tumour removal, and corrective surgery
such as aural resection (surgery of the ear), urethral opening and laparotomy
(mid-line scar visible on the abdomen). It is often easier to detect changes in
an animal in the grooming salon with reference to records because of the time
interval between grooming sessions. Many changes will be insignificant; however,
some may give cause for concern and need veterinary investigation. In spite
of records, it is important to always run through a superficial examination to
update information and avoid areas of the skin surface that may be sore or
painful. Examples of changes that may be seen include:
• Weight changes
• Appearance of lumps and bumps or increase in size of existing ones
• Pain on handling
• Skin or hair changes
• Breathing difficulties
• Obesity
Good practice in the grooming parlour that helps the animal and its owner includes:
• Observation
• Recording
• Reporting