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Reprinted by
permission Pet Age October 2005
Grooming Golden Agers
Styling older dogs presents special challenges. But
by making some small alterations to your grooming routine, you can keep
geriatric pets safe and comfortable. By Daryl Conner
There are a lot more gray-muzzled dogs on grooming
tables across the country these days. Thanks to improvements in veterinary
care, better nutrition, and the fact that more pets are being treated like
family members, many dogs are living into old age. Large dogs often live
eight to 12 years. Small-breed dogs, which tend to age more slowly than
their larger-breed cousins, can live even longer.
“Old age is not a disease,” said Karen Campbell, D.V.M.
“Old age is a stage of life, which is accompanied by a slowing of all
physiologic processes and a gradual loss of body functions and
adaptability.”
Dogs in this stage of life offer some particular
challenges to us as pet stylists. Aging dogs may have hearing and vision
problems that leave them confused when they are away from their home
environment. Much the way some elderly people suffer from senility, aging
dogs can experience cognitive changes that cause challenging behavioral
issues. Consider that aging animals also may have arthritis and stiff joints
as well as changes to their skin and hair coat, and you’ll see there is a
whole other dimension to caring for geriatric dogs that you may have never
contemplated.
Older dogs may require special care, but working with
them can offer rich rewards, said Cathleen Brooks, a Certified Master
Groomer at Golden Shears Pet Salon (Federal Way, Wash.). “Geriatric dogs
need grooming as much, if not more than, the youngsters. After grooming,
they will look better, feel better, and thank you with their soft eyes.”
Explain Grooming Limitations to Owners
Owners often don’t realize the limitations associated
with grooming older pets, said Barb Hoover, owner of Professional Pet
Grooming (Leavenworth, Kan.) “Some [dogs] need more frequent grooming;
others need shorter trims less often. At an advanced age, perfect grooming
should be the least of everyone's concern. Comfort is the most important
thing.”
Good communication with the pet owner is particularly
important at this time. We need to help them understand that keeping
the dog in its usual trim may put unkind demands on the pet. For example, a
dog that has worn a full-coated style its entire life may no longer be able
to tolerate the upkeep needed. Older pets may not be able to stand
comfortably for the long periods of time needed to bathe, dry, brush and
trim a long coat. Also, as pets age, their skin loses elasticity and becomes
more delicate. Long sessions with the brush can become uncomfortable.
At the same time, it’s important to avoid a drastic
change in the pet’s customary look. “The owners have accommodated to a
gradual decline in how the animal looks, but if you strip them down all the
way, sometimes the loss of the last vestiges of appearance is crippling to
the owner. As the regularly groomed dog ages, I work in modifications of the
groom, so that at the end of the road they are at least recognizable to the
owner,” said Barbara Bird, owner of Transformation Pet Center (Tucson
Ariz.).
The same compassion groomers are accustomed to giving to
pets needs to extend to human customers as well. Working with the owner to
agree upon a trim that will keep the aging pet comfortable without causing
it stress is where we begin.
Accommodate the Pet’s Physical Needs
Consider the aging pet’s physical needs while it is in
your care. A soft towel or blanket in the cage is comforting. Allowing the
pet to enter and exit the cage at its own pace is a kindness. Try not to
rush the dog as it maneuvers.
Keeping water available in the cage is important, too.
As dogs age, they often develop kidney problems, making it necessary for
them to drink more frequently. Correspondingly, if the dog is going to be
with you for more than a short time, it will need a quick potty break.
When lifting older pets, be sure to support their body
evenly from front to rear, reducing stress on joints and internal organs.
Older dogs are most alert early in the day, so planning
for them to come in first thing is an excellent idea. If possible, try to
schedule them so they leave as soon as possible. This will further reduce
their stress level.
Begin With the Bath
Sandy Blackburn, owner of The Groom Room (Attica, Ind.),
has a talent for taking care of aging pets and the client
list to prove it. “Warm water feels really good on arthritic joints,” she
said. “It helps to bathe the dog first before attempting to trim its nails
or groom it. A warm bath will limber up the joints and make the oldster more
comfortable. Spend some extra time and massage those muscles. The dogs will
love you for it!”
Starting with the bath also allows you to make note of
any new lumps and bumps that may have developed since the last time the dog
was groomed. Since older dogs often develop dry skin and coats, consider
whether a good conditioning treatment is in order. Be sure the dog has a
nonslip surface to stand on while you wash it. Slipping and sliding invite
injuries to the spine and joints.
As dogs age, they have less tolerance for extremes in
temperature, hot or cold. Remove as much water as possible from the dog’s
coat with dry towels while it is still in the bathtub. Using a heated dryer
can be dangerous for aged dogs. Use heat sparingly and keep checking the pet
to ensure it does not become overheated. Air- or fan-drying in a warm room
is safest.
Another option is to gently table-dry the dog with a
warm-air-only dryer. “I try to dry the belly and rear first when I put the
dog on the table, so they can lie down if they need to rest,” said
Blackburn. “I put a dry towel under the dog to absorb any water I blow off
with the dryer.”
Use Special Tools and a Light Touch
Comfort before vanity is the rule when grooming
geriatric pets. Let go of your perfectionism. Oftentimes getting an old pet
clean and comfortable is all we can hope for. Do the most important grooming
tasks first in case you have to stop before the job is completed.
Place an anti-fatigue mat or a cushion of towels on the
grooming table to give old dogs a soft place to rest while you begin the
styling process. Encourage the dog to sit or lie down as much as possible
while you work.
Remember that dogs that once reliably stood firm on the
table may now have difficulty seeing and recognizing the table’s edge. An
excellent restraint system is of vital importance to make sure these dogs do
not step off the table.
Move slowly and methodically. Develop a routine that the
dog can anticipate; this will help it to be more confident with the process.
Give dogs notice of what is expected of them by guiding
with your hands. For instance, gently but firmly touch the foot before
lifting it to trim or clip.
Keep in mind that the skin and coat of an aging dog is
often more delicate. Use both a light hand and the gentlest possible tools
when brushing and combing the coat.
Choose a trim that will maintain the dog’s dignity as
much as possible, while offering easy care and upkeep. Because many older
dogs are incontinent, clip a generous sanitary area to help the pet stay
clean between appointments.
Keep the table at its highest level while working on the
dog’s feet and legs so you won’t have to bend and flex joints excessively.
Flex joints only in the direction they go naturally; do not pull the
animal’s leg out to the side or into any position that will cause pain.
Remember that pain can lower the threshold for aggressive behavior.
Take care to trim hair well from the pads of the feet to
give the dog better traction. Trim nails as short as possible. Nails may
become brittle with age; be sure to use a sharp trimmer and clip carefully.
Buffing nails with a Dremel tool is a good idea for many dogs.
Toes and feet can become
stiff with age. Learn when to forego shaving clean feet on dogs. The
separation of the toes and length of time needed to stand on three legs can
make this procedure too difficult for old
dogs.
Watch the dog carefully for signs of distress—excessive
panting, pale or dark gums and extreme anxiety. If the dog becomes upset,
stop grooming. Let it rest in a quiet place until its owner can come
take it home.
Consider having the pet owner stay to assist if the dog
is very frail or very difficult. Having extra hands can be an asset, and
having the owner nearby often will keep the pet calmer. An added bonus is
that the owner will better understand the challenge their pet presents.
Special-needs grooming may require extra time; be sure
to charge for your efforts accordingly.
There are few things in life more rewarding to me as a
pet stylist than seeing a freshly groomed oldster strut away to greet its
owner. There is a certain spring in their step and pride to the way they
carry themselves when they are neat, clean and sweet smelling. The reward
continues even after the too-short lives of our gray-muzzled friends are
over. Soon enough their owners will most likely return with a fat fuzzy
puppy in their arms, and the cycle continues.
pa
Daryl Conner, a Master
Pet Stylist Meritus, is
based in Appleton, Maine. She
has more than 20 years’ grooming experience.
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