New research on canine fatalities at groomers.
 

I came across an interesting research article on dog injuries and fatalities at groomers:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...029.12236/full

It's probably behind a paywall for most people, but here is the abstract. I don't want to alarm people unnecessarily, but please make sure your groomer is trustworthy, and let them know about any health or behavioral issues your dog may be having:

Abstract

Procedures involved in grooming, bathing, and other pet services can often lead animals to death. Of the necropsies of 1391 animals carried out at a private diagnostic laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 2004 to 2009, 94 were dogs that died during the above-mentioned procedures. Young male dogs and small breeds like Poodle Miniature, Yorkshire Terrier, and Lhasa Apso were most frequently observed. Blunt-force trauma was responsible for the deaths of 31% of the animals, with a higher incidence of trauma to the head, characterized chiefly by fractures and nervous tissue lesions. In the other 69% of cases, the animals showed signs of stress, and died due to pulmonary edema and hemorrhage. As we cannot rule out the intentional character in some situations, this article provides veterinary forensic support for veterinarians and pet owners, especially in lawsuits, helping in finding the cause of animal's death in such pet services.

That's a bit scary. I groom my own at home.

Yikes. I started doing mine again at home too. They look ok. I'm not any worse than some groomers.

Okay, this has definitely confirmed that I will be doing the grooming by myself. It's absurd that people can be groomers but yet are so careless and inconsiderate to animals. There should be more protection for the animal than just standing on a super high table with most likely rock hard flooring beneath it!

If you bring your pup to get groomed . . stay. Do not drop them off. Wait and watch them.

I have never taken Zoey to a groomer. Jackson (Maltese) goes and the groomer does a nice job on him. I am so afraid she will fall off the table or come to some type of harm. I want to get her saddle shaved. I am sick of mats everyday but just can't bring myself to take her. I do have a clipper from years ago but haven't worked up the nerve to do it.

We groom our 3 at home, and always will...I don't believe in having strangers groom my beloved, precious babies....especially when they are incapable of telling me if they're being treated improperly.

Groomers scare the crap out of me, I'm sorry. I do know, without a doubt, that there are good ones out there (and some of you here have the good ones) - but there are too many bad ones, imo, to make the risk ever worth taking. No way.

I could never bring myself to use a groomer. Some are great. Quite a few are not. Unless I could stay I'd never do it. I don't see the point of paying for it anyway when I'm capable.

I groom our three girls myself, due to past experiences.

I groom a lot myself, but when I do take Lola in I do just what Teri suggests.

While I like my groomer I do see that she has a tendency to get a little rough even while I am there. Since I am sitting next to her and holding Lola I can control what she does. Most groomers would not allow me to sit there holding my dog approving ever snip of the scissor so I stick with her.

OMG, I don't know what I'm going to do... after reading all these horror stories Snickers will never go back to a groomer unless I'm right there beside her. I tend to her every day, brushing, eye cleaning, hugs and kisses, and general freshening up. I love to do it, but I'd never trust myself to try and clip/trim her. My hands shake too much.

I am going to only groom at home now. I cannot even imagine getting a call that something happened and Pebbles keeps running through my mind. It is a devastating blow to get a call from a groomer and then not know if you are really getting the truth. So scary for sure. Thanks for posting this info.

I know, the story of little Pebbles is tragic, and having read that post and this article, I can't help but wonder if something bad happened at the groomer's. I hope Pebbles' owner is able to get some answers and find peace of mind.

it especially hits home with me because my keylo has ct. i told my husband and hes like why do you have to tell me stories like that. ...:eek:

I usually only send them once a year but will not again. It is sad because if I were a groomer I would treat each dog that came in as if they were my own baby. But like anything you will always have people in profession who should really be doing something else. like a nasty babysitter who is hitting and swearing at infant. crazy crazy what people can do to those you love when no one is looking.

I hope they get an autopsy as well and do not take her word for it. and maybe that is truth but it would ease my mind a little to know for sure it wasnt the groomer. especially so they do not bring bam bam back to that groomer. gosh so sad and heartbreaking.

Yep, home grooming only. May not look as good as a professional job but happier & safer!!