Note: It is best to disinfect your tools with Clippercide between each pet you groom, however it is imperative to disinfect your tools thoroughly if you suspect any type of skin issue, as it is impossible to diagnose from visual examination only. Refer clients to a vet, where tests can confirm the cause of the issue. In the meantime, disinfect your tools and wear gloves if needed.
Staph Infections
- Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of staph. If you suspect staph, refer to a veterinarian. Certain strains of staph are highly contagious and can be very serious. Skin scrapings are needed to determine which strain of staph is present.
Fungal Infections
- Learn to recognize the symptoms of a fungal infection (may be contagious).
- Only treat after being diagnosed by a veterinarian.
- Determine if the skin is dry, normal, or oily, and treat for that skin type.
Parasites Found on the Skin
Fleas
- Identify that fleas or flea dirt was found on pet and the pet’s siblings (if applicable) before contacting customer.
- Phone the client to tell them that fleas or flea dirt was found on pet.
- Ask for permission to administer Capstar pill.
- Capstar comes in two sizes (small for dogs 22 pounds and under and large for dogs 23 pounds and over).
- Give pill one hour prior to grooming if possible. It is nice if they can do this at home to prevent from bringing fleas into the facility, but this is not always possible. Try hiding the pill in a treat, such as Biljac for a dog or tuna for a cat. If the pet must be given the pill by hand, someone trained in giving pills to animals should give medication. Be especially careful with cats because cats can behave unpredictably, and a cat bite to a human is always requires a visit to a doctor no matter how minor the puncture appears.
- An hour after the Capstar pill is administered, bathe the pet with two or three pumps of Kennelwood Flea and Tick Shampoo.
- Hydro surge and let the shampoo sit on the pet for 5-10 minutes. Do not get any in eyes of pets. This can be prevented by sponging the shampoo on the head and nose area.
- Rinse, then use a healthy skin and coat moisturizer.
- After pet is dry, check over pet(s) to make sure no stray fleas survived.
- Vacuum the table and floors.
- Clean bathtub, kennel, and any area(s) pet was in contact with environmentally friendly disinfectant. Spray disinfectant around the edges of the kennel and tub as well to ensure that no fleas have escaped the area.
- Let the kennel air out before putting the pet back in the kennel space.
- Be sure to red flag that fleas/flea dirt were found, and the pet was bathed in shampoo just as a reminder to clients at pick up.
Ticks
- Notate that ticks were found on the pet (include whether they are alive or dead) and check pet siblings (if applicable) before contacting the customer.
- Make the customer aware by phone that ticks were found on pet and will be removed.
- Remove the tick with hemostats by pinching the tick closest to its head and pulling straight out to remove.
- Once the tick is removed from pet, place the tick in rubbing alcohol to kill the bug.
- Check over the pet(s) to make sure no other ticks are present and remove if any others are found.
- Bathe the pet(s) in Kennelwood Flea and Tick Shampoo.
- After pet is dry, check over pet(s) to make sure no stray fleas survived.
- Disinfect areas the pet was in contact with in case any ticks fell off the pet.
- Make sure to red flag and inform the client that ticks were found. Note and verbally indicate to the client where on the pet they were found in case sensitivity is present after tick removal.
Mange
(A veterinarian must confirm mange. You should never diagnose a pet.)
- Mange should always be treated by a Vet.
- Make the client aware of the skin issue, and the steps that we will take to help the pet.
- Red flag the skin issue and where it is specifically located on the dog.
Hot Spots
The term “hot spot” is a common term for a skin condition caused by various things, but in general appears as a red, irritated lesion on the skin. The area appears moist as well. Often the hair in the center of the lesion is thinner due to the pet’s licking or rubbing the area. A more scientific name for hot spots would be Acute Moist Dermatitis.
Hot spots can appear suddenly and become significantly larger in a short period of time, often due to the pet licking or scratching the area and worsening the irritation. Some causes include food or seasonal allergies, reactions to fleas or other small insects, bacteria or yeast, orthopedic problems causing the pet to lay in a position that results in pressure points and then licking the area, anal gland inflammation, and improper grooming. When improper grooming is the cause, the pet may have become tangled or matted at home, and the pet can bite at these irritating knots and create a wound. Matted fur also prevents the skin from drying properly after swimming or getting wet in the rain. This area of the skin that stays wet then often forms a hot spot.
When you find a “hot spot,” call and notify the owner. In certain situations, you may talk with a manager and the owner and decide with them to shave the area around the hot spot with a 10 blade. This must be done only by an experienced person with owner permission. Oftentimes, the pet needs to visit a vet and they should shave the area at the vet after examination. If the issue is not serious, the pet is not going to visit a vet, and you are shaving the area, use conditioner according to the type of the skin.
When drying a pet with a hot spot, it is preferable not to force dry the pet unless the owner says the pet has been examined by a vet and the skin issue is not contagious. The force dryer will blow skin flakes around the room and could spread the skin issue to nearby pets.
If the area has flaking skin, you may need to clean up the area after you finish brushing the pet. To do this, you can use a damp towel or a baby wipe. Gently wipe in the direction of the hair growth. The towel or wipe will collect the skin flakes. Wear gloves or wash your hands when you are done.