Dog Groomer has injured our puppy

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alison247

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I took my 10month old puppy to a local salon in Sevenoaks,
She seemed very happy to see me when I returned to pick her up wagging her tail etc
When I got home she was visibly shivering.
We thought she was cold due to losing her coat and the weather has changed here.
The next day she was still shivering but also kept turning round and looking at her tail.
We thought her tail looked a bit wonky, not sitting central on her back.
Over the weekend she got worse, shivering and looking at her tail and whimpering.

We took her to the vet on Monday to ask is it possible the groomer has held her up by her tail to clip her backside and dislocated her tail. She thought it was her anal glands bothering her. Her screams on examination were horrendous :(
Took her home on metacam.
The next day she refused to leave the house and did not do no 1 or 2 all day.
Took her back to vets. saw a man this time who thought she had pain in her lumber area.
More painkillers.
Today took her back because she is crying all the time looking at her tail and not going to the loo.
Diagnosed with slipped disc.
Monday MRI and consultation with neurologist.
MRI scan £1,975.00
Consultation £300.00
Operation if needed plus £4k
Do I go back to the dog grooming salon and ask what happened?
 
I would have thought it would be difficult/impossible to prove anything, even the vet thought it was her anal glands bothering her to start with and the dog groomer is hardly going to admit to injuring your dog, if indeed she did.....
 
Ooooohhhh where to start!

First of all, I'm a dog groomer. I've groomed for ten years (so far) and have seen all sorts of weird and wonderful things in my salon. Accidents can and do happen, particularly so with puppies who are not used to being groomed. You don't say whether this was your pup's first visit or what breed it is. A ten month old pup who is experiencing their first ever professional groom will behave VERY differently from one that has been to the salon 3 or 4 times - a ten month old pup is also an adolescent and behaves very differently from one that is 4 months and very submissive or one that is 18 months and has lots of grooming miles and is a calm recipient rather than a matted wild animal that is scared of anything that makes as much noise as vibrating clippers, loud dryers, barking dogs et cetera. I've also known juvenile Lhasa apsos who want their coats shaved off to make it easier to maintain - and then the dog who isn't used to the feel of their own tail on their back will then attack their own tail and strip the hair off so that it's a bleeding mess! I went thru hoops to try to help a client find the solution to this one as we tried different shampoos, had the vet check the a/g, checked for any sign of injury (all were negative) - and it turns out that the dog just hated a naked back! But the owner still wanted it clipped short so started to learn to live with this dog stripping it's own tail every time it was clipped. Happened every time.

Injuries and accidents can happen with dogs who are great on the table and just a slight movement can result in an injury. It's impossible to tell just now what may have happened, but if there is an injury which was a result from a grooming accident, then hopefully your groomer will co-operate with you and their insurance will pay up. However, they will need as much information from you - and to get the best result you need to approach them without being confrontational.

I would have thought that an obvious mishap would not go unreported, but sometimes something happening could be so fast and seem so insignificant at the time that it won't seem worth remembering if you know what I mean? If there was a pre-existing injury or weakness there then a minor knock or slip could cause a more serious injury, but even an experienced groomer might not realise what's happened. If the dog is standing and behaving much the same way at the end of the groom as before, then they wouldn't think to report anything. (I think my clients must think I'm nuts because I tell them everything the dog isn't quite as cooperative over a visit as they might have been in the past - or indeed if they're cooperating TOO well when I expect a bit more of a lively behaviour - and often I've been able to get them to go to the vet and find that the dog has a medical issue caught early - but I wouldn't have known to even report anything unless I knew the dog's behaviour very well from a long history).

Some breeds of dogs are prone to slipped disc (again, some lhasas, dachshunds and breeds with longer backs). It IS entirely possible too that the dog suffered the injury just before or after the visit to the groomer. I can remember one groomer telling me that she'd clipped a dog and it went away good as new. Owner called later that day to say that there was blood POURING from a paw... Groomer was mystified as to why this wasn't noticed by herself or the owner when leaving (especially as it was a light colored floor and dog jumping all over the owner). Then it turns out the dog went with owner to the nearby play park and there was lots of broken glass. But it was the groomer's fault ;)

But having said all of the above, there are groomers through inexperience and or negligence that do cause injury. Sadly it does happen. It's one of the reasons I'm personally in favour of the new scheme coming out from PIF (formerly PCT) which is a star rating system for groomers. It is there to help the client choose a potential groomer based on their experience, their qualifications, their continued learning and training. It's a costly exercise for the groomer, but because there has been so much bad press as of late, incidents of dogs being injured or killed in a groomer's care, I think that something must be done to help weed out the good from the bad..

So, my suggestion to you is to contact the groomer - let them know that there was a problem, be as non confrontational and factual as possible. Your groomer will perhaps ask to speak to the vet and want to have a written statement from them with itemised bills (for their insurance purposes).

I hope your pup is feeling better soon and that it's nothing too serious.
 
Hi, you say when you got home. Could something have happened on the way home? How do you travel her? I'm only asking as I looked after a small dog for a friend (can't spell the breed, starts with chi lol) she jumped off the sofa (very low sofa) and slipped a disc. Any drop or twist could result in it. There's no way of knowing when it happened. It will be well worth asking the groomers if anything happened however small. I hope she recovers well (my friends dog recovered completely after being completely paralysed)
 
Wagging her tail when collected does suggest she was ok then.

A slipped disc can happen getting into or out of a car, jumping on/off a sofa or just twisting wrongly when playing and of these getting into a car is probably the most common as the dog often jumps and twists. (I have a lot of dealings with basset hounds)
I'm surprised an MRI was done before an x ray as that would be most vets approach IME. Dogs can recover from slipped discs. Have you been told no jumping & no off lead exercise?


As a groomer, like PucciNPoni, I tell the owner if I've noticed anything and have told owners to go to the vet ASAP when I've picked up signs of pyometra or, for example, glaucoma. In one case I spotted discharge with the owner still present and refused to do the bitch. Handed them my phone (few mobiles then) to call their vet & they went straight to the surgery - somehow it was my fault they had a vet's bill.
 
s4sugar said:
Wagging her tail when collected does suggest she was ok then.

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My thoughts too.


FWIW, I had an elderly dog suffer a slipped disc. Haven't a clue how it happened, but it coincided with a large group of people coming to my house for a meal, possible she got a knock from someone walking and didn't see her. She recovered really well with a bit of rest, no surgery. Cost me a single trip to the vet, some steroids and a sedative (to keep her quiet for a day). She was as good as before within a week. Hopefully you'll have a similar result.

I did a wee straw poll on a grooming forum to ask other groomers how they respond to owners coming forth with reports of injury, and or do they report mishaps in the salon. The reply was a unanimous "always be upfront and honesty is the best policy" from several groomers of varying degree of experience and skill. So don't assume that a groomer will "not admit to wrong doing" ;)
 
As stated, it may have happened at the groomers but it also may not have, I am not sure that you could prove it did happen. I would phone the groomers and ask if she had an accident whilst there, although I would expect any groomer to have told you so on collection if she did.

Slipped discs can happen just from getting into/out of the car, jumping up/down stairs/sofa. How do you travel her? Is she loose in the back seat/boot? Could she have twisted/fallen over when going round a bend or braking?

They can recover with pain relief and rest, depending on the severity. Obviously an MRI and a consult with a neurologist would be gold standard, but I do not understand why your vets have not x-rayed her already?

Has she not been to the loo since Monday???

Good luck!
 
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Another dog groomer here, what has been said above is all very true and relevant. It would help to have a little more information, particularly the breed of your pup and was this their first visit to a groomer? As other have said as she was happy to see you and wagging her tail suggests she was not in pain or had dislocated anything at this point! Fingers crossed for a quick recovery.
 
Thanks for your replies.
I have felt all along the dog groomer will not say if she dropped her, held her up by her tail or whatever.
The vets say from how tender she is in her lumber region she has been dropped onto her back.
They offered X-rays with GA at £400 but said it would not show discs etc so to go for MRI on Monday.
She is not going to the loo as it hurts to squat. She has had her bladder emptied at vets and has been given laxatives. She really whimpers when she goes :(
She did wag her tail when I collected her but was quite and shivery in her crate in the car on the way home.
We tried to walk her the next morning and she kept lying down and crying.
This was her third visit to this salon. She is a Cavachon- Cavalier king Charles x Bichon
 
In all honesty I would get an opinion from another vet! I would be very uncertain about a practice which suggested anal gland problems then escalated that to pain in lumbar region then to a slipped disc so quickly without any evidence, particularly since they have suggested such expensive exploratory treatment. Presumably she is insured so cost will not be an issue.
 
If she was in good form when you picked her up, the liklihood is that she was injured on the way home in the car. IF she had a slipped disc when you picked her up she would have been unhappy then as well as it is a serious injury.
 
as others have said, I would get other opinions on how it could happen (maybe from whoever does the MRI?) The slipped disc the dog I was looking after was severe (did not need surgery as it popped back into place) but needed physio and lots of work for him to walk again; did not happen because he was dropped. he did just jump off a low sofa and slip or twist. I'm not saying nothing did happen at the groomers, it may have but your vet is being very presumptuous. where is the MRI taking place? I was sent to Leahurst in Liverpool ad those vets took over his care so you may get a second opinion after the scan. I suggest doing this first and then contacting the groomer. if I was the groomer I'd want to know and I'd go through everything that happened with you. as people on here have said.
 
I think actually the OP has already made up her mind that a) the groomer is at fault and b) that the groomer would never own up to it if it DID happen there and therefore is justified in just making the assumption and not wanting any further investigation.
 
PucciNPoni said:
I think actually the OP has already made up her mind that a) the groomer is at fault and b) that the groomer would never own up to it if it DID happen there and therefore is justified in just making the assumption and not wanting any further investigation.
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I think you are right there PP :(
 
Sorry to hear about your puppy OP. I'm just curious to know why you assumed the groomer wouldn't have told you if there had been an incident?
 
Camel said:
I think the title of the post would indicate OP 's assumption of the groomers guilt! Hope your pooch is okay op :)

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Assumption is one thing. Having one's mind up despite many suggestions and advice is very much another. I'm not sure the point of posting unless she wanted to just have a rant.
 
Difficult situation. Once had my cocker spaniel clipped and had to have friend pick him up for me as I was called out to work. Noticed that evening that his eye was swollen and very sore. Friend hadn't noticed when they picked him up .... not a dog person! Took him to vets next day and vet confirmed he had suffered trauma to the eye - either a pretty hefty knock or poke in the eye. I didn't ask groomer what had happened (mainly because it wasn't noticed when he was initially collected), but nor did I ever use that dog groomer again. Maybe this is unfair but given the injury, vet seemed to suggest that there would have been some force - it could of course have been a complete accident and easily done with a wriggly dog I guess but the fact is they didn't willingly offer up an explanation. If they had, I would have been absolutely fine about it - accidents happen

My point is that whilst there are many reputable groomers out there who would of course behave exactly as some of you on this thread have described (I have used several who are absolutely fab and I would trust completely), there are some who may be less honest for fear of repercussion

I can understand how upset OP must be - aside from any cost, it must be very upsetting to see a loved pet so distressed and in pain. I hope she's feeling much better soon x
 
PucciNPoni said:
Assumption is one thing. Having one's mind up despite many suggestions and advice is very much another. I'm not sure the point of posting unless she wanted to just have a rant.
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And changed her story when it was pointed out the mongrel was ok when picked up. I hope groomers in the area are able to access this page with her original post.
Sounds like the vets are on a money trip - MRI before x ray? - that has to be a first.
 
s4sugar said:
And changed her story when it was pointed out the mongrel was ok when picked up. I hope groomers in the area are able to access this page with her original post.
Sounds like the vets are on a money trip - MRI before x ray? - that has to be a first.
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Is there any need for that? How do you know the groomer wasn't at fault in this instance?


Clearly you have veterinary experience so I'll bow to your superior wisdom on the x ray v's MRI debate
 
Poor OP, you are really getting a hard time on here. Its awful when you're upset and worried about your puppy, and you're watching it hurting. I would go back to the groomers, tell them what happened, as calmly as you can, see what they say. They may be really useful and helpful, you never know. If not, you're no worse off than you are now. Hope that puppy is on the mend and more comfortable soon.
 
Sorry no - I offered a fair amount of support, mixed in with some possibilities for the OP to consider. I don't think my support "went away" until it was obvious to me that the OP wasn't really looking for more than a bit of a rant about the horrible dog maiming groomer. An injured dog is an injured dog, and she has my full sympathy as does the dog. But if she is genuinely looking for an answer as to whether or not she should approach the groomer - what is her end goal? Is it to confront the groomer and say "you did this...now pay up" or is it to find out perhaps what did happen in hopes of giving the veterinary staff something to consider prior to expensive MRI? She said she assumes she won't get a straight answer out of the groomer, and THAT's what gets my knickers in a twist.
 
To Teamchaser -
We don't know the groomer was not at fault but the title of the post and the change to the story suggest that the groomer may not be.
I do, unfortunately, have extensive knowledge of disc problems with bassets ( not my breed but I do rescue) and an x ray can often show enough that an MRI is not needed. I have never heard of an MRI referral before an x ray.

Or did you mean the mongrel bit as you highlighted it? IME people who get conned into buying crossbreeds with made up names are usually not people I want as clients.
 
I felt the breeding of the dog pertinent and interesting. I couldn't care less whether it was a purebred dog or not. Many breeds (and cross bred dogs) can suffer from back injury.

No we do not know if the groomer was at fault or not. But when it comes to any old illness, injury or other ailment, somehow the fault is put on to the groomer. Can't tell you how many times a day I hear about groomers getting blamed for stuff that had nothing to do with grooming. Yes, they can and do cause problems sometimes - but not nearly as folk seem to think. In fact, more often than not we as groomers find pre-exisiting issues and raise them with the owners. Sometimes it's followed up and dog's lives are saved, treatment obtained. And sadly very often it goes on to deaf ears and dogs suffer.
 
Wouldn't disagree with you at all PucciNPoni - groomer I use now raised a couple of things when she clipped Barney for the first time, which I knew about, but was very grateful for the obvious care she'd taken

In fairness, I don't think OP was trying to convey at all that groomers are bad people - but she clearly has her suspicion about this one in question and she may well be right. As much as some feel she is blindly making accusations, some are equally as blindly leaping to the side of the defence!

Oh and s4sugar, your posts have potentially changed my opinion of your trade far more than the OP's! Rest assured, neither my Cocker Spaniel (I believe I can call him that?!) or my "Splurcher" will be requiring your services!
 
TeamChaser said:
Wouldn't disagree with you at all PucciNPoni - groomer I use now raised a couple of things when she clipped Barney for the first time, which I knew about, but was very grateful for the obvious care she'd taken

In fairness, I don't think OP was trying to convey at all that groomers are bad people - but she clearly has her suspicion about this one in question and she may well be right. As much as some feel she is blindly making accusations, some are equally as blindly leaping to the side of the defence!

QUOTE]

I would hope she doesn't think that groomers are bad. But other than an injury (which may or may not have occurred while being groomed) she doesn't give any character information which might make it suspicious that the groomer a) injured the dog and b) would have reason to be dishonest about the event.

For example, a dog could have slipped while scrabbling and trying to get out of the bath tub and fallen on to it's back. I've had dogs literally try to take a flyer out of the bath while it's tethered there - and then just about garrotte itself on the grooming loop. If it was the former, I wouldn't think to mention it because the incident was a fairly insignificant one. However, if questioned, I might say "yeah, dog tried to jump out of bath, slipped and fell over".

If it was the latter (garrotting it self) then I would mention it upon the check out procedure as I would feel that a significant enough event that would be worthy of mentioning.

I find it sad that just because something may have happened that the proprietor is assumed to be a liar before even being questioned. Again, that's why I stressed the "non confrontational" method of asking.
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TeamChaser said:
Wouldn't disagree with you at all PucciNPoni - groomer I use now raised a couple of things when she clipped Barney for the first time, which I knew about, but was very grateful for the obvious care she'd taken

In fairness, I don't think OP was trying to convey at all that groomers are bad people - but she clearly has her suspicion about this one in question and she may well be right. As much as some feel she is blindly making accusations, some are equally as blindly leaping to the side of the defence!

Oh and s4sugar, your posts have potentially changed my opinion of your trade far more than the OP's! Rest assured, neither my Cocker Spaniel (I believe I can call him that?!) or my "Splurcher" will be requiring your services!
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Where have I defended the groomer - I have just pointed out what the OP stated - & then changed. Sounds like a change of vet is needed and I would bet money that the first question they asked was about insurance. As PucciNPoni says accidents can happen but this OP hasn't asked the groomer but just assumed the Groomer did something. Dogs can injure themselves at home, in a car, on a flat field or getting out of bed but a dog wagging when picked up but unable to wag when getting home doesn't sound like anything the groomer did.


I refuse to pander to the puppy farm stupid names for mongrels trend and turn them away as I have found, having groomed professionally for over 30 years, that people who support poor breeding are not ones I want as clients. I don't apologise for this.
 
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Something else to consider - sometimes groomers are "afraid" to tell an owner that a dog is a nightmare to groom. Not me personally - if the dogs are horrific, I want the owner to not just know about it, but DO something about it. I may even offer some solutions such as training tips, an offer to have the dog come for frequent visits etc.

However, some groomers, for fear of losing custom and or have the client think that their dog is less than perfect, might conceal their dog's behavioural issues. You know the customer is always right, and Poopsie is always a perfect angel.

But if confronted with "my dog was injured" the truth may well out.
 
Oh, and another thing!

Many groomers who belong to a professional body (such as EGG, SPGN, PIF) all have a voluntary code of conduct they are asked to adhere to. Of course, that means diddly squat to the dishonest lot, but there ARE many of us who do take this seriously. Further, many of those who belong to professional bodies will also belong to grooming forums where sharing of information and ideas is a main lifeline for some groomers who work alone. They will usually get the idea from other groomers what that code of conduct is and it is always encouraged to be forthcoming with the client in all cases.

So, does your groomer belong to a professional body?
 
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