We all groom a “challenging” pet. Mine is Molly, a soft-coated wheaten terrier. Molly is a sweetheart. She is easily one of my best-behaved clients. What makes Molly a challenge is her health issues. I have overcome this difficulty because of effective communication between Molly’s owner and their veterinarian.
You can predict that when a customer asks for a full-fledged Poodle “Bikini Clip” on their Cocker Spaniel, the dog will inevitably wind up with a bout of Colitis that necessitates a Veterinary visit. Of course the waiting room will be full of other clients and EVERYBODY will want to know where the lady gets her dog clipped.
Blame it on being a veterinarian. Most people would conjure up images of Bill Haley and His Comets or the movie Footloose when they hear the phrase ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’. I envision quivering cockers and trembling tabbies. Admittedly there are pets that truly seem to enjoy coming to my office, so I don’t take these panicky pets personally. I would however love it if all of my patients and their caregivers didn’t quake in their bobby socks when they entered my hospital.
It’s the same old story: Charlie the cocker comes in to your shop every week with sticky, stinky skin and you are handed a prescription shampoo meant to make him better. Except he never gets better.