I took our 5 year old border terrier here in an effort to save time, in that my office is near this shop and he comes with me to work daily. This shop was previously recommended by our vet, who I recently learned no longer recommends due to other animals they have treated with issues from being groomed there too. With yelps 5 star reviews, I figured it was a safe bet. This was unfortunately a very bad mistake for our dog and wallet. It has been a full two weeks since my dog was hurt at this place and he is still suffering.
Our dog is very loved and we have tummy rubs every morning before work and every night before bed, as well as he is doted over my coworkers and submits for rubs throughout the day. I dropped him at noon time at lunch and what I picked up at 315 was not my same dog. The owner was on her way out and mentioned some blisters she noticed on his stomach, and that she didn't trim his belly or inner thigh as she didn't want to be accused of causing them and had used peroxide on him. I thought maybe she meant like a flea bite or something? I went in and got my dog and was rushing so I didn't inspect his stomach.
Inside I was told his nails were too long when he came in which caused them to bleed and crack during trimming. I thought well then why would you cut them back too far your first time having him? (Mind you he saw his previous groomer every 3 months). I got outside with him and he walked to the car head down, tail between legs. I sadly misread his emotions and thought he was just extra comfortable with them as he normally is bouncing off the walls when I get him from the groomer I've taken him to for years.
I got back to my office, put him on my desk to trim hair missed on his front legs. He was cowering from me. I then saw a nick on his knee and shoulder, and looked under his belly and saw the attached pictures. I scooped him up and immediately went to the vet. They did an exam and skin sample under the microscope and discovered cells indicating the start of an infection. He was put on benedryl 3 times a day, antibiotics twice a day for a week, and cortisone once a day for 5, and tapered to half for another 5 doses, and antiseptic bath every other day. It was $60 for the groom, which sadly I paid electronically before I picked him up, and another $310 in total vet bills and medication since then. The speculation is an allergic reaction to the shampoo used? But I asked for a pic of the shampoo used and have used that kind before. I showed the photos to my sister who is a groomer out of state. She said that's a chemical burn from either leaving flea shampoo on too long, or perhaps the peroxide and shampoo together caused it. Our dog was excessively thirsty when I got him back to he office and lapped up and entire big bowl of water which he never has done in the years we have had him. I'm wondering if they fed him something to sedate him during the groom to keep him from jumping and that's what caused the reaction and why he was so thirsty. I truly do not know.
Also, she cut what looks like a Batman symbol in his chest and gave him a lion tail? Who does that without asking? My dog does not bark and is never audible, most people don't believe we have a dog nor know he's under my desk at work. He has been waking me up whining and whimpering, and is so traumatized he has become a shaking trembling mess, also something he has never been. His dog tags wake me at night because he's still so upset he's trembling and they clank together.
Please note I waited a full two weeks to post this as I was too upset to type without being irate and I didn't want to behave in an unchristian like manner. The owner offered to re-bathe him (no thank you) but never offered a return of funds, nor a response to my last text. See attached. It's just a very sad and bad experience all the way around. My poor dog!
***********
Update: As for the owner response...you never mentioned you were leaving to get married or on a honeymoon? And what bearing would that have on this situation anyway? Your words when we crossed paths in the parking lot at pick up were that you had to pick up your daughter. That is it. You also don't even know which vet I use, so how could you determine they still recommend you? I have no reason to lie about this. I've never seen a border terrier with a lion tail or strange wonky chest logo. I would bet nobody else has either. Lastly, your vet inspecting him 2.5 weeks later is a moot point and I trust the vet I've already paid for. Again, no thanks. I do wish you well in your business, however I just can't give ours again because of this. read more