Grooming
While we don't offer breed-specific grooming at West Geauga, there is plenty of fur flying! We offer cleansing, flea-control and medicated baths/dips/cream rinses, blow drying and comb -outs. Grooming services can be scheduled Mon. through Fridays. We ask for an early drop-off, before 8:30, and plan for a late afternoon pick-up, to allow for plenty of drying and combing time, and to allow for emergencies that could delay the procedures.
Now you have 3 different bathing packages from which to choose! The basic bath package includes the physical, bath, drying and comb out. The deluxe package includes a nail trim, ear cleaning, and anal sac expression as well. The supreme package also includes use of the Furminator, a special tool that dramatically reduces shedding by removing much of the loose undercoat fur. The deluxe and supreme packages offer these bundled services at reduced rates. An information sheet is available at the front desk for details.
Mats can be combed or shaved out, if needed. We don't do breed specific clips. Toenail trimming, with a final dremeling to smooth rough edges, provide pooch pedicures (without the nailpolish!). Ears big and little can be carefully cleaned, with excess hair plucked. Those pesky scent glands (anal sacs) can be gently emptied, if overfull, by our trained staff.
Pets scheduled in for grooming or bathing need to be current on their vaccines, annual exams, and stool checks. We don't want to take chances on transmitting infections to other pets here in the hospital, or to yours! Currently dogs need their vaccines for Distemper, Rabies, and Bordetella, and to be tested for fecal parasites and heartworm within the year. Cats need to up to date on Distemper and Rabies, and to be tested for fecal parasites within the year.
Exotics can be groomed, as well! Birds can have their nails trimmed, wings clipped, beaks dremeled smooth, and a bath in Dawn, if desired. Wing trimming is very helpful in taming birds, and preventing escapes and accidents. Enough flight feathers are left to allow a gradual descent to the floor, but not enough to fly straight for long, or up at all! Even properly trimmed birds shouldn't be allowed outside without a birdie halter. With the right wind, even properly trimmed birds can escape..
Exotic pets must have an annual exam at least once yearly to schedule these procedures. There is always some stress to grooming, and the doctor's need to know the pets are healthy before proceeding. It is tragic how some owners would have brought in their pets faithfully for grooming 2 to 4 times a year, yet decline examinations and consultations and lost their pets to disease or malnutrition that could have been diagnosed, cured, or prevented. Birds hide signs of illness until they are critical, so even an observant owner wouldn't necessarily know their bird was sick. At West Geauge we always put your pet's health first, so we have created these policies.