Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 5/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a weird question..I took my dog to the groomer today and the groomer called about 2 hours later to tell my my dog was ready to be picked up. And she said oh by the way while I was grooming her she pulled too hard on the leash while I was blow drying her and ruptured a blood vessel in her eye. How is that possible??? This is the second time something weird has happened to me at the same offices. Last summer I took my dog in for grooming and they were supposed to give her a physical while they had her. She came back acting strange and they gave me a report about two retained baby teeth that needed removed, they said they had tried to remove them but they wouldnt come out and my dog would need surgery. She also had a rabies booster at the same visit. She started vomiting the afternoon I brought her home and acted like she had problems chewing. She proceeded in vomiting on and off for about a week and a half. Finally a broken tooth came out of her mouth. I finally got her vomiting stopped by feeding her small amounts of rice and sweet potatoe mixed with soft dog food. I wont be taking her back to that vet or groomer but does any of this sound like things that would typically happen with a vet/groomer office?

ANSWER: OK, I am a bit confused by this. Is the groomers at the vets? That is not uncommon, but it is also not uncommon for groomers to pretend that they are vets and go things that are very illegal and dangerous to your dog.

It is possible for a dog to strain enough to rupture a blood vessel, but that means that the dog either doesn't like being groomed, or doesn't like being groomed by those people. Most dogs that are used to being groomed will tolerate the blow dryer but if your dog doesn't like the groomer (and they know best!) then there is good reason for that.

Your dog acted strange coming back because if I am reading this correctly, someone tried to pull two teeth out of this dog without any sedation or anesthesia, which is required to pull out teeth correctly!! This is inhumane and you could press charges for an act like this. It is dangerous, illegal  and totally stresses out a dog.

It is also illegal for ANYONE but the veterinarian to pull out the teeth.
You are smart for not taking her back to any of those people. Ask your friends that take excellent care of their pets where they go and find yourself a new vet and groomer!!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Out dog is used to being groomed and yes the groomer is at a vets office. Its just a big mess..She is a small dog we have never had a problem like this before..no she doesnt like being groomed but she generally tolerates it..never a problem like this which is why it surprised me and these people have groomed her since she was a puppy so its not like they dont know how she responds. Its just odd. The teeth situation was the same Vets office at a different time and no I dont believe they used sedation they just tried to take out the teeth. I am not taking her back there I am finding a different vet and groomer.

Answer
Could be a different groomer did the job. Nonetheless, you are better off finding a different place. Just the fact that they tried to do that with her teeth is just beyond belief, but believe me, I have heard it all!!
Good luck with your hunt for a better vet and groomer!!