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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Grooming while ill
| My standard poodle, Tootsie, has Evans Syndrome and needs grooming. I groom her myself but I don't know if it is too stressful while she is ill. I gave her one bath since she was diagnosed on May 30, and she got a bladder infection a few days later. Was this a coincidence or should I just let her be for a while. Being a poodle her coat will keep growing and become matted. Her health is most important but if it won't harm her I would groom her. Anyone have any experience with this? Barb & Tootsie |
| Barb Ohio |
| Hi Barb, I had the same problem about 5 months ago. Kahlu, now 3 years old, got diagnosed 01/09 and hates grooming. He loves the groomer, the person, but dot the brushing and bathing. I abandoned the idea of doing it myself pretty quick. Just like you I was very hesitant to have him go through it, fearing it would stress him out. Also he was so weak i was not sure he could stand for that long. After getting the opinions of some people on this board, discussing it with my vet and talking to our fantastic groomer I decided to go for it. I stayed with him and the whole thing was over in 1 1/2 hours. Two groomers worked on him, clipping him first and then giving him a cool shower. He felt so much better after. He actually leaned on the second groomer. With me being there i don't think he was stressed out at all. I took him home pretty wet, because I did not want them to put him under the dryers. it was certainly a speedy clip and by no means a show clip, but Kahlu felt so much better after. if you can do it yourself, i would not hesitate. I remember Johnny hesitating giving Tessy, a cocker spaniel a bath, but in the end he did it and it was good for her. I don't think the bath and the bladder infection were connected. Our dogs immune systems are very compromised and they get these opportunistic infections. One thing I noticed with Kahlu, his skin got very thin when he was on the high doses of prednisone. So be careful with the brush and clippers. He lost a lot of hair and we did not have to groom him for an other 3 months. He still looks pretty shaggy with his rat tail. He has to heal the important parts first, the coat will come last. Best wishes from Brigitte and a shaggy rat tail wag from Kahlu to Tootsie |
| Brigitte BC Canada |
| This is ironic because I was just wondering the same thing myself with Oliver. He needs a shampoo and haircut badly. I spoke with my vet who didn't think it was a good idea as of a couple of weeks ago because she didn't want him around other dogs and open the potential to be exposed to infections, etc. I spoke to our regular groomer last night who said that he is also a licensed veterinary tech and can be sure Oliver is the only pet there at the time and ensure that the cage, area and utensils used would be sterilized prior to Oliver going to groomers. So I'm going to ask my vet if these new precautions will make it alright. He's turning into a shaggy little beast and what with the weight gain from the pred and the extra fur, makes him pretty hot at times (panting just a little more!) |
| Mardi Northern Cali |
| I bathed Tessy numerous times now since her diagnosis. I used an organic oatmeal shampoo and she did fine. Once she started developing a skin condition she was bathed a little more often. ONLY after she started stabilizing though. I just recently shaved her myself but I waited till her PCV was up over 30 to do so and no destruction was happening. She acted like a totally different dog after that. I think it just made her feel sooo much better. You all know your dogs better than anyone and can decide when the time is right. If grooming stresses them out and there is still destruction happening then maybe you could put it off for a while more. Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Madison was still groomed as usual while sick - the vet she goes to also does grooming and they to use Organic Oatmeal shampoo. She always looks so pretty after a groom. Samantha |
| Samantha Perth Australia |
This thread was discussed between 26/08/2009 and 27/08/2009
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