The Daily Sniff

“Anyone who doesn’t know what soap tastes like, never washed a dog.”

Here at Groomington Coat Factory, we pride ourselves on providing quality care for every hair and it all starts with the skin. We use the industry’s top of the line high quality products by Les Pooch.

Each product contains safe ingredients for dogs, they do not contain soap which can be drying to a dog’s coat and skin, and they leave each and every dog in our care with luxurious looking and feeling coats. Not to mention, they smell absolutely exquisite due to fragrances developed in the South of France by top perfumers, chemists, and elite industry professionals.

The shampoo we grab for the most is the Vitamin Enriched Conditioning Shampoo enriched with Aloe Vera, Panthenol, and Vitamin E. Aloe Vera is recognized as one of the most effective, natural moisturizers which enhances your pet’s coat shine and conditions their skin at the same time. Panthenol; otherwise known as Vitamin B5, and Vitamin E deeply penetrate and moisturizes each coat from the root of the hair resulting in a longer lasting healthier look. It even eliminates the need for a cream rinse in most cases. This blend of powerful conditioners replenish nutrient-starved coats starting from the root. Les Pooch shampoos are also surfactant-based which means they promote lather and do not produce suds. Much like our own hair, suds and bubbles from soap are what cause residue and dandruff (dry, flaky skin). This allows our clients dogs to be left with the shiniest coats possible. Each shampoo is luxuriously fragrant but not overbearing and lasts for weeks at a time.

No matter what the need, we always have a product to protect and pamper your four-legged friend thanks to Les Pooch – A pH balanced Hypoallergenic Shampoo, Tearless Puppy Shampoo, Medicated Shampoo, Brightening Shampoo, Micro-Encapsulated Creme Rinse, and Degreaser/Dematter/Deep Cleanser. These uncompromising quality products are formulated with the finest ingredients which truly allows our groomers to glide through coats, remove dead undercoat, and fluff for a soft, show finish with ease.

Groomington Coat Factory was founded on the concept of delivering exceptional care for your pet and we believe this high quality product line is not only the most gentle, but the most effective for each and every one of our clients pets. We love it so much, we’d even use it on our own hair!

Cancer. The heart-wrenching diagnosis that no one ever wants to receive. We immediately know our lives are about to change, and we become overwhelmed with thoughts, questions, and concerns for our loved one. Our dogs truly become a part of our family, and while the reason why they get cancer is often a mystery; it is our job as pet owners to look for warning signs and take preventative measures.

10 warning signs of cancer:
Swollen lymph nodes.
An enlarging or changing lump.
Abdominal distinction.
Chronic weight loss.
Chronic vomiting or diarrhea.
Unexplained bleeding.
Cough.
Lameness.
Straining to urinate.
Oral odor.

While there are warning signs to indicate your four-legged loved one might have cancer, not all canines display them the same way. This was the circumstance for one of our most loyal clients; Debbi Ulin, and her adorable 9 1/2 year old golden retriever, Bernie. Unfortunately, golden retrievers in the United States have a higher risk of contracting cancer compared to many other breeds. While this is a recent development, cancer took the lives of 60% of U.S. goldens by the late 1990s.

“We had no indication that anything was wrong with Bernie. I felt a lump in January and brought him to the Vet. By the time the Vet felt for it, the mass had disappeared.”

It was then during a grooming appointment with G.C.F. three months after the lump was first discovered, that our CEO and Pet Stylist, Cait, felt a lump on Bernie’s right hind leg, between his knee and his ankle and immediately encouraged Debbi to get it checked out.

“I hadn’t felt it at all (and I was feeling often) between the time I brought him in January 2017 and his late April 2017 grooming appointment with G.C.F. A very common characteristic of mast cell tumors is that they appear and disappear which makes it hard for them to catch at times.”

Once Debbi took Bernie to her veterinarian, Bernie was unfortunately diagnosed with a Malignant Mast Cell Tumor in his right hind leg. The Vet informed Debbi that Bernie’s tumor had metastasized to the closest lymph node, but that all other lymph nodes removed were clear.

When a dog is diagnosed with a cancer diagnosis, the next step is to determine the best course of treatment between you and your veterinarian. When we asked Debbi the course of treatment she and her family chose for Bernie’s journey, she explained the following:

“We were given three options to treat Bernie: 1) No further treatment since they had removed the mass as best as the could (the Vet was not able to get clear margins due to the location of the tumor as it was too close to tendons, etc.) and only one lymph node which was removed, showed spread of the disease. 2) Amputate the hind leg or 3) 15 consecutive days of radiation to the spot where a very small piece of the tumor remained after surgery followed by 7 months of twice a month chemotherapy treatments.”

Debbi and her family chose treatment option #3, radiation therapy for 15 consecutive days and 7 months of twice a month chemotherapy treatments. When asked if Bernie had experienced any side effects throughout the duration of his treatments Debbi stated:

“The surgery and treatments were a small bump in the road of his life and he lives a perfectly normal, happy life. One of the chemo medicines made him a little quieter than usual about two days after he received the medication. It did not stop him from going on his walks or eating his food. We really noticed minimal side effects from the radiation and the chemo. He has completed all of his treatments, the last one January 23rd 2018. We are following up with the Dr. this month for blood work and an ultrasound for his abdomen to make sure all still looks perfect. Going forward after that Bernie will be monitored every 3-6 months with blood work and ultrasounds and we will put this stupid cancer in our rearview mirrors.”

Debbi was happy to report that after 11 months, Bernie is doing well. All of us here at Groomington Coat Factory could not be more pleased to hear that he is in remission and will continue to fight. We are very proud to announce the Ulin’s success over this cancer nightmare.

We want to strive to emphasize to all of our clients that all we can do as dog owners is continue to look for warning signs, keep them at a healthy weight, feed an anti-inflammatory diet, reduce their exposure to toxins, and refuse unnecessary vaccinations because early detection and prevention of this tragic, horrible disease is the key to recovery.

Basic Dog Grooming Tips

1. Start grooming your puppy at an early age

Whether you decide to groom your dog yourself or take your dog to a groomer, your dog is going to need grooming it’s whole life. It is better to start getting your puppy used to grooming at around 3-4 months old so that grooming becomes a part of life opposed to a scary thing they have to do every once in a while.

      2. When Trimming Nails, avoid the quick

The nerve inside the nail is known as the quick, it is in the center of the nail. Trim the nails little by little until you see the damp dark center of the nail.

OH NO! I nicked the quick!! Don’t worry, using a little bit of styptic powder or corn starch will help the blood clot and stop the nail from bleeding.

      3. Wipe out ears daily

Use a mild pet specific ear cleaner to clean the ears daily. Put some ear cleaner on a damp cottonball and wipe the ear flap and the outer part of the ear. Be sure to not use a cotton swab or to clean inside the ear canal. Doing this could possibly hurt the dog and may cause damage.

      4. Use proper pet products

Remember, human shampoo is for humans and dog shampoo is for dogs. Human toothpaste is for humans and dog toothpaste is for dogs.

      5. Use the proper brushes for your coat type

If your pet sheds a lot, use a tool specifically to remove their undercoat. If your pet has soft and silky hair, use a softer brush and a comb to prevent coat damage. Don’t know what tools to be using? It’s ok! Ask us and we will help you!

      6. Don’t let water get inside your dog’s ears

Musch like humans, excess water in the ear canal can cause discomfort and possibly an ear infection. To prevent this, try putting a cotton ball in your pet’s ear to prevent water from entering the canal during the bath.

      7. Brush your dog daily

Start brushing and combing your pet the day you bring them home. Continue this routine everyday to acclimate them to proper a proper brushing routine. Brushing is essential to keep your pet’s coat knot free.

      8. Bathe your dog at least every four to six weeks

Proper skin and coat care is essential to your dog’s overall health. Be sure to have your pet bathed every 4-6 weeks to keep their skin clean, dirt free and smelling fresh!