"Dr." Groomer

Let me start out right now telling you that groomers as a whole, are terrific people and work hard at what they do. They care about their clients and their pets. However, we occasionally have difficult days when a groomer has "diagnosed" a problem with a pet and the owner comes in telling us what treatment must be done.

Groomers, animal behaviorists, trainers, and animal care specialists certainly have experience working with animals and have knowledge that exceeds the average person. They can alert an owner about a change in their animal's coat or other problems. But...it is a bad situation when a client comes to us saying that the groomer has decided her dog has cardiac problems (this happened just last week). ???? How would the groomer come by that conclusion? That's a pretty bold statement and seems out of bounds to me. What's worse is that the client often believes the groomer even to the point where they argue with the veterinarian about the diagnosis. I'm sorry, but this makes about enough sense as it does for me to consult my hairstylist about my cancer treatment. It just seems weird but it happens more frequently than you think.

Because owners are loyal to their groomers, it can be very difficult to convince clients that their groomer is incorrect about advice they've given (especially with dermatological problems). It's also frustrating because the pet is the one who suffers the most. It would be so much easier and save a lot of time and heartache if groomers refrained from diagnosing medical problems all together.

Opinions everyone...what are your thoughts about this? If there are any professional groomers or animal care specialists out there to lend us your opinions? I welcome your ideas and feedback! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Comments

[Laurel]

You know, in one way, I understand how they may feel that they know what's going on with a dog just based on their years of seeing so many animals. I got to be that way a bit when I worked at the CSU-VTH because I had been on so many cases and heard the same diagnoses, treatment options, etc. over and over...as the saying goes, I knew enough to be dangerous.

However, I never, never overstepped my bounds or training to tell a client what I thought was going on with a pet...I think that is definitely unethical and undermining for both the veterinarian and the pet owner. At best, a groomer or any other non-medical professional should suggest the person schedule an appointment with a vet, citing the symptoms or concerns they have about the animal and say no more!

Dana, I think you and Steve should teach an ethics class about all the issues you bring up here. They are true dilemmas that are "signs of our times" and definitely aren't getting addressed adequately, I'm sure.

[Dana]

Laurel, I can see what you mean about "knowing enough to be dangerous." However, you said it yourself...you would never overstep your bounds. Unfortunately, there are those out there who have no problem with it at all. That's the sticking point. A class that addresses the ethics of this situation...what a good idea!

[turtlecookie]

I was just going to say what Laurel said... that it would be better if the groomer, trainer, or other "experienced" person were to suggest an appointment with a veterinarian rather than try to diagnose or treat on his/her own. They may be right, but it would be better to have a diagnosis/treatment plan from a veterinarian. There are some illnesses that can masquerade as other illnesses. A minor problem can get blown out of proportion or a major problem might be overlooked. Much better to have it checked out by a vet. I do think it is appropriate for a groomer or trainer to point out something they have observed that may indicate a problem so that the pet owner can take appropriate action, such as scheduling an appointment.

Turtlecookie

[Dana]

Turtlecookie,

I agree that groomers and other animal care professionals should alert owners to potential health problems (and they do). We've had several clients who have brought their dogs in based on a groomer's recommendation. In these cases, the groomers are helpful partners in the animal's care. Once again, it's all about the boundaries.

[Chris]

Nothing against groomers, but for a variety of reasons we don't go to the groomers at all. Instead our dogs get at least some part of them trimmed pretty much every week. So they are in effect in a constant state of being groomed. But we usually do it when they are asleep which seems much less stressful than spending the day at the vet.

So I don't have a really good answer to the problem, I just wanted an excuse to post a link to our cute Katie who you can vote for in a cutest dog contest at http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=14D0E887654745247C361B67B09116DA&page=1

Here is her picture http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/photos/1254782880Katie.jpg

[Ingrid]

I agree with Lauren, this is an ethical issue. Additionally, in some, if not most, states, groomers like the one you're describing are skating on very thin ice from a legal standpoint. Under most state regulations, only veterinarians are allowed to diagnose.

As a Reiki Practitioner who works with animals as well as people, I am always careful to never even suggest that I might have an idea of what might be going on with a pet from a medical standpoint. While I often intuitively sense something in the pet's energy, I would never communicate this to a client in a way that could be misconstrued as a diagnosis. I will always recommend a visit to the pet's veterinarian (and it's certainly rewarding for me when my intuitive "hit" is confirmed by a veterinarian's diagnosis). Some of the best advice I've received in one of the continuing ed seminars I took was to be very mindful of the language I use with my clients. For example, if I feel a lump, I would never say "this feels like a tumor to me!" I won't even call it a lump as most people associate bad things with that term. I might say something like "Have you noticed this bump on Fido? You might want to get this looked at."

My other favorite line to use is "I'm not a vet, and I don't play one on tv, either!"

[Dana]

Love your comments and ideas Ingrid...Chris, thanks for sharing the pictures!