Quote:
Originally Posted by linz06  I'm not sure about the blade... I kept the No. 4 guard on though that I used for the rest of her body. Should I have removed the guard? |
If the mat is tight against the skin you need to use a 10 blade (or setting depending on if you have a detachable blade) with no guard comb. In order to remove the mat safely you need to use a blade that will get in that little space between the skin and the mat and slowly shave just the mat off. This way you minimize the shaved spot on the dog. You may be able to use a longer blade then a 10 depending on how much space is between the skin and the mat.
when mats are tight to the skin its very hard to safely scissor or thin them out. You need to be able to slide one blade of the scissors between the skin and mat and cut the mat outward, away from the body, and not across the body. Sliding a comb between the mat and skin can help sometimes so that you have a barrier between the scissors and the skin but sometimes if the mat is so tight you may still be able to cut the skin this way.
safest way is to shave them out with clippers. sure you will have a slightly bald spot but I think that's better then a cut or nick, or worse.