Is sedating my dog for grooming cruel?

6582 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Dawnben, Dec 10, 2015

Shaftell

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2015

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if it's considered cruel to sedate my dog for a grooming appointment. I have a 3 year old GSD mix who I've had since he was a couple months. He's been groomed once only in his life, the first time he was a puppy and was good. The second time I took him, the people there handled him very poorly and he got very scared and aggressive so I had to take him home.

After some more researching, I decided to take him to his vet that also has a groomer at the clinic. The thing is, he's okay with our vet during checkups/vaccinations (no sedation required) but maybe that's because I'm there. My husband told me that it's cruel of me to sedate him because he is unsure of what's happening and will be scared. He believes that grooming isn't that important and to sedate him is not worth it.

What should I do? I've been assured by the vet that it's not dangerous (obviously everything has side effects) and they really are nice people so I know I can trust my dog with them. Has anyone here ever had to sedate a dog for grooming/vet?

Thanks

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annageckos

· #2 · Dec 8, 2015

What kind of hair does he have? I never took my GSD in to be groomed, I brushed her out myself. I didn't see a reason to get her groomed. If your dog has a typical double coat it should be easy enough for you to brush. See if you have any self serve dog washes around, some pet stores have them. They make bathing and grooming so much easier. IMO I wouldn't sedate my dogs to be groomed, unless there was a really good reason for it. There is always risk to it, even if it is small.

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MrsCunningham

· #3 · Dec 8, 2015

At the clinic where I work we sedate dogs to be groomed if they are aggressive or not able to be groomed (without sedation) its is safe we have one nurse always monitoring while another grooms the dog. Most of the time its little white fluffys as the owners have never had them groomed before. A GSD isn't usually groomed (hair cut)as @annageckos said depended on his coat length/style a good brushing will do the trick .

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Shandula

· #4 · Dec 8, 2015

I agree with the above. What kind of grooming does he need? I have an Aussie, so I know all about undercoat and blowing it in the summer. We have a local pet store with a self-wash station, so I can bathe him there when needed (which is rare, once every few months). Other than that I just buy all the brushes and do it myself. Since he doesn't need any sort of cutting (except I do trim his paws to keep them pretty).

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Artdog

· #5 · Dec 8, 2015

For necessary things, definitely okay. My elderly cat needed mats shaved off, of course he needed sedation, but a young gsd? I'm with your husband. I would save my money.
Can you brush him? Buy dry shampoo, a shedding brush.
If he's stinky, and completely hates bathing, then I might side with you and get a pro to do it.
That said, when Dynamo got old & arthritic, we brushed her a bit, and that's it. She smelled like a dog, but no worse than that, or as good. I miss her dog smell.
Bottom line, no, I don't think it's cruel, but think it's something you and your dog could do without, but then I'm not in your shoes.

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Dawnben

· #6 · Dec 8, 2015

Sounds like a self wash would be ideal for you. They seem to be every where now.
I love it because the mess stays there. They furnish everything you need to groom.

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Laco

· #7 · Dec 8, 2015

Its always going to boil down to risk, vs benefit. Is the grooming is necessary for comfort and health vs just something to make her look nicer temporarily. The answer to that question should answer your question.

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Shaftell

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 10, 2015

Thanks everyone for the replies. He has a unique looking coat:

That's him a many months ago. He has longish hair and it has gotten a little out of control. He is quite easy to bathe at home, it's just the trimming that's difficult to do because I suck at it

.

Now that I think about it, it really doesn't make that much sense to sedate him for recreational grooming since it's not for a serious matter.

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ZoesMom

· #9 · Dec 10, 2015

YOU should not be sedating the dog yourself. If the groomer who works at the vet thinks your dog needs sedation she can request it from the vet and the vet should be the one to give it. I would take the dog for a consultation with the groomer and see what she thinks. You can sign off that sedation is okay if needed and then the vet should give it.

It's definitely not cruel, if your dog is really scared but you need to let the professionals decide and let the professionals give it. I've groomed a few sedated clients, some had to have full sedation for grooming and were monitored very carefully by the vets and techs the whole time. It was much easier than traumatizing them but sedation does come with it's own risks.

Most home remedies do not work and I would not recommend using acepromezene, either.

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Shaftell

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 10, 2015

Oh no, I wasn't even suggesting that I'd sedate him myself, that's very dangerous. The groomer is in the same office as my vet so if I were to get him sedated, he'd be examined by his vet and then sedated.

Anyway, I'm going to cancel his appointment and groom him myself. He's very easy to bathe, no resisting at all, but I suck at hair clipping!

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Dawnben

· #11 · Dec 10, 2015

Shaftell said:
Oh no, I wasn't even suggesting that I'd sedate him myself, that's very dangerous. The groomer is in the same office as my vet so if I were to get him sedated, he'd be examined by his vet and then sedated.

Anyway, I'm going to cancel his appointment and groom him myself. He's very easy to bathe, no resisting at all, but I suck at hair clipping!

Get yourself a cheep clipper and use it instead of scissors it is much safer.

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