Groomers drugging pets during grooming?

[ralphthepoodle]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

That just petrifies me to hear about that drug spray. What in the world do you think the drug was and do you suppose it was by prescription from some immoral vet or something over-the-counter? Either way, what in the world was she thinking?!?! What if the dog had a bad reaction to that stuff or their heart couldn't take it? And even if you got a tour of the back of the shop, you know someone using something like that would hide the bottle during a customer tour. I'm glad I don't have to take Tibbe to a groomer just for things like this that you hear and find out about. He may not look so great but he enjoys his bath here and he's free from all fear and drugs.

It is awful! I have no idea, I did not stick around long enough to find out. What made me mad was the shaking of the bottle with the change in it, like no you dont do that to my dog when Im paying you! And then you use some random spray...i was very mad that day. I know, but a lot of times if you go like in the middle of there day type of thing, you will get a real feel for it, good salons will not have a problem with it. But I have my friend groom ralph, who is certified and lets me go in the back and watch her the whole time. But what goes on in a grooming salon is scary.

[gemy]

Wow I definitely wouldn't like it. But I do want some of that spray stuff for my big male. LOL.

I do my own grooming (mainly) except when he is being show groomed; and I have to stay with the groomer the whole time anyhow. He gets grumpy on the grooming table. He is a wuss around his chest area; he can't stand the sound of the scissors, and he moves quickly so you better know where your scissors are at all times.

[jp4m2]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

How can you tell?
Is it common?
Have you ever had a groomer do this to your pup?

Max always comes back and may just be really tired from being groomed and the excitement but... he sure seemed extra tired today.
We just got back from vacation and the groomer had to groom him early this morning because she got the pick up date wrong. He has slept the entire day.
Mickey is a really good boy while being groomed and I notice he is tired when he gets home but as much as Max.
Maybe I am being paranoid but it's not the first time the thought crossed my mind.

When I had my first pup in for grooming I absolutely believe the groomer drugged mine. I had never had a pup in before for grooming so I didn't know what to expect but in the days and weeks after the event I just knew this happened. My pup was usually very wiggly, happy and frisky. When I went in to pick him up she handed him to me across the counter and there was no reaction from him at all at the sight of me. I noticed it immediately. But, I justified it to stress, a unfamiliar environment, tired from being there a couple of hours, etc. etc. Who wants to believe someone could have done something awful to your pup??


On the ride home he was still quiet and lethargic. I placed him in his bed thinking he needed a nap,which he did end up sleeping for about three hours. After thinking about it over the next few days I found myself becoming angry about the situation and I was coming to the realization that he most likely was drugged.

This happened at Petco. I never went back to confront the person because I had no proof except for my intuition. After two more unpleasant experiences at different groomers I have never taken in any of my pups for grooming again.

[ralphthepoodle]

It is very sad that groomers drug dogs, they should not. If they can't deal with a dog barking or not acting how they want they shouldn't be a groomer

[maggiefromnj]

If they are drugging Maggie at Petsmart, then I want some! Seriously, though, she always come bouncing out of the back as happy as anything and wanting to say hello to everyone she sees. I don't think they've ever given her anything. If she acted any differently I'd want to know why.

[marlenemaria]

I'm a bit hysterical with my lil girls. The one time I took my maltese to a groomer, I stayed next to her the whole time. I then started grooming her myself until I found a groomer that comes to my house.

Now that I have both of them (maltese and yorkie), I found a great mobile groomer that comes to my house every other month to do major grooming but I stay in the truck with her while she does each .

I'm just so afraid not to be with them, they are so delicate

I would say follow your instincts, we are rarely wrong when our instincts kick in -no one knows are babies better than we do!

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

There was a pet store here at one time that employed a groomer and she used tranquilizers on some of the pets. She obtained them from a local vet's office. Fact not fiction.

Wow that is so illegal and the Vet should be getting into big trouble too! It is illegal for a groomer to give medications of any kind to a client dog. If there is a problem handling the dog, a groomer should inform the owner, have them talk to their Vet, the Vet can prescribe something even an over the counter thing like gravol but the owner must administer it themselves or the Vet must. Also it does no good to give a sedative at the shop. It should be given about a half hour before going to the grooming shop.
Grooming shops no matter how much the dog enjoys it can be a stressful experience for some dogs. I do mobile grooming and many of my clients that had that exact problem and wondered about shops drugging their dog were amazed at my service as I was done start to finish in aobut an hour including bath,I put the finished dog down on the floor and it was happy and normal as can be.

[pinkpatty]

I have always used a mobile groomer for my dogs. I used the same mobile groomer for my bichon frise for all 12 years. Now with Keno he is groomed by the same mobile groomers. I have one in Michigean and one in Florida. I like that they are in my drive-way and I can check at any time. Both Missy and Keno enjoyed being groomed, they were bushed by me daily and teeth cleaned so they are and were use to it.

[_Chrissy_]

Originally Posted by occy

If I had any doubts, I think I wld take him directly to the vet, tell him him what you suspect and see if he cld do a test to see if he had anything in his system. It may cost a few dollars, but at least you wld know for sure.

This is the groomer our vet uses.
Max doesn't act "loopy" just tired.
I am just being paranoid I guess.
Maybe I will start looking around for a new groomer. I shouldn't worry about this. It should not cross my mind.
He is excited while leaving then gets in the car and sleeps. Comes inside and then sleeps. Maybe he is just so excited while at the groomers that he is super tired when he comes home?

[_Chrissy_]

Originally Posted by Britster

I say, you know your dog best! I would find someone new.

I use a mobile groomer and won't ever use anything but a mobile anymore. He freaks when I carry him in there to her, but he does the same thing when we are going to the vets (and they've never hurt him, obviously, and I am with him the whole time). It's very normal for him to shake and be extremely nervous, but when he comes out and is done, he's extremely happy and energetic!

But I like that he's right in my own driveway, I can peek in and look, hehe! And he's done in under an hour.

MOBILE is a great idea!!!!
Or I can learn to do it myself! It's only hair... It will grown back-LOL

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by _Chrissy_

This is the groomer our vet uses.
Max doesn't act "loopy" just tired.
I am just being paranoid I guess.
Maybe I will start looking around for a new groomer. I shouldn't worry about this. It should not cross my mind.
He is excited while leaving then gets in the car and sleeps. Comes inside and then sleeps. Maybe he is just so excited while at the groomers that he is super tired when he comes home?

I groomed mine at home today and was thinking about your first post. My boys are always tired after their baths/comb outs. They zoom for a few minutes, want to eat, and then they pass out in their beds. This evening, they didn't last long on their walks.

I'm guessing your Max is just tired after a big day at the groomer.

[yorkieusa]

You should be able to tell easily if there was a tranquilizer used. I would expect them to be limp in your arms and then pass out on the way home. If they used a calming spray like Rescue Remedy, I wouldn't expect it to be as noticeable, but I'd think they would be quieter and calmer than is their norm.

[swilson0053]

Oh im scared now my baby is going for the first time friday and i am a nervous wreck