Broken blood vessel during grooming

[Jody Neeley]

I took my little guy to get groomed today for his first official haircut at five months. I called around and found a groomer that sounded good to me. When I picked Albus up he was very nervous, upset and shaking. I took him home and he calmed down after a bit. He kept shaking his head over and over again. Looking closer I saw that his eyes were quite red, especially the left one. I called the groomer who said it must be a broken blood vessel and that he was pulling quite a bit on the leash when she was blow drying him. She also said that I needed to get him used to a blow dryer. I have bathed and blown him dry many times and he always does wonderful for me. Is this something that happens at times or is this just a horrible groomer? Shouldn't she have stopped if he was fighting so hard? Poor guys eye looks horrible and I think it is bugging him. Also, will this experience ruin future grooming experiences for him? I'm really irritated and will definitely not go to her again.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This is horrible irresponsible groomer. I would call her tell her you are taking Albus to the vet and that you are holding her fully responsible not only for any damage she may have caused but for frightening a pup who was has haviing his first big groom. Personally I would be both worried and livid. This is most certainly neither normal nor acceptable. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree 100%. I'd take him to the vet and find out exactly what is wrong with the eye and how that happens. Never heard of anything like this, and I've been having dogs professionally groomed for 38 years. 

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Oh my goodness- that sounds and looks awful! I would think that a pup has to be pulling pretty hard to break blood vessels in the eyes. And, they don't hurt when they break. So I have to wonder if she maybe got something in his eyes- shampoo or spray? I would take him to the vet and give her the bill. Eye problems aren't anything to mess around with. Poor Albus!!!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

And, look in his ears. The head shaking might be from overaggressive ear cleaning....

[Judith and Addie]

Poor Albus. I can't add anything to what Nicky and Lori said except that if you take him to the vet, I hope the vet there is nothing seriously wrong and he and you are feeling better soon.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

That sounds scary. As others have said a new groomer is in order and a trip to the vet to make sure it is nothing serious. Then another call to that groomer would be in order.
Please keep us up on what the vet days and how Albus is doing

[Laura and Angus]

Oy! I'm so sorry to hear this happened to your poor pup! Definitely need a new groomer :(

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Unacceptable!  I would have been so upset and I would have been talking to the groomer as to what exactly happened.  Poor baby and it hurts to even look at the picture.  I would have your Vet evaluate the situation.  I am so sorry this was his first grooming experience and for you too.  It is so hard to see our babies hurting or upset.

[Teresa Joyce]

There are a lot of dogs who are not crazy about the dryer and then there are dogs that cannot tolerate it without the possibility of injury.    Unfortunately there are a lot of groomers who will force a dog under extreme distress to accept it.  The drier that is used in a normal shop is very loud and very powerful - think of a blow dryer x 100 - it will literally blow a small dog off of the table.   I would find a new groomer and let them know that he is fearful of the drier.  Also you might want to think of buying a Happy Hoodie for him to take with you to the new groomers.  I use them with a lot of dogs - it is sort of like a sweatband that goes over the head and ears - it seems to really help a lot of dogs by muffling noise and also no air blows in their ears.  I also use cotton in the ears for some dogs that react to the drier.  Ask them to introduce slowly with the hoodie and/or cotton and if he reacts fearfully to stop and cool fan dry him or use their stand drier.  Make sure that they do NOT use cage heat fan driers. They may charge you more as  he will take more time - I don't but they might.  The HV driers are very fast and many shops are trying to get as many dogs through as they can.  He will probably be just fine with future groomings - I have a number of clients at my salon that have HV drier fear - they do just fine  and enjoy the grooming session as long as it is not on.  I have even been successful after a number of  pleasant grooming sessions with a dog with HV fear to reintroduce it after they begin to trust me and have the hoodie on.  If you have any concerns, take him to a vet  - call the groomer first and let her know that you are taking him and expect her insurance to cover it.  Good luck and I am sorry that you had such a traumatic experience. 

[Jody Neeley]

Thank you son much for sharing this info. I really do appreciate it. I will definitely use it as I find a new groomer. I am going to look into buying a Happy Hoodie and will tour and ask A LOT more questions the next time around.

[Jody Neeley]

Thank you so much for your concern and advice, I did take Albus to the vet the next day and got some eye drops for a broken blood vessel. He is doing so much better today. The vet was shocked at the what happened and we will definitely be finding a new groomer. I just feel bad that this had to be his very first experience! The most frustrating part has been talking to the groomer. She thinks I am making a big deal out of nothing. Lesson learned. Next time around I will be doing a lot more when it comes to questions being asked.