I don’t know if this is a coincidence or if the groomer actually hurt my dog… of if something totally unrelated is going on.

Wednesday I took my GSD to the groomers for a bath and a toenail clipping. I have tried to get her into my tub at home… and there was no way it was happening. I figured the groomers had the proper equipment to deal with an unwilling participant, which is why I made the appointment and I explained to them that I didn’t think she would go willingly.

When I picked her up that afternoon and seemed fine. Yesterday morning she whined when I tried to put her collar on. I looked at it her neck and it seemed fine.

Today it is all swollen and she is in great pain if you even come near that area. The area isn’t hot. I called the Vet and they told me to give her a buffered aspirin a couple times a day and if it is not better on Monday they would like to see her.

I don’t know what is wrong with her or what brought this on but I am very concerned. The aspirin has done nothing to relieve her pain. She is with me 24/7 and she has not injured herself in my care.

Could a tick or some other dog disease be at play here? Or could she just have pulled a muscle from being dragged into a bathtub unwillingly. This is what I am thinking is the case… but then it could be something unrelated.

My lady is in pain. Thanks in advance for any insight you might have.

Julia

there is absolutely NO REASON for your dog to come back from a bath/clip with those problems. with her bath issues, did you give permission for a tranq? did the outfit ask about it up front? if she's REALLY crazy about getting wet (and most aren't,to be honest), the groomer should've called before they proceeded, should've gotten permission to tranq vs. manhandling her.
i personally hate most of these so-called "groomers"; they're used to little dogs that can be over-powered mechanically.
sounds to me like you got into one that's not used to a big dog...
let me know what happens--i'm interested.

We have steps that go into the tub, and if a dog is reluctant, we put a softie muzzle on them and pick them up. There shouldn't be any dragging. Our groomer does give them a spray of doggie cologne, maybe that is the culprit. Either way, nothing we do would cause a swollen neck other than the possible allergy to the cologne, or shampoo/conditioner. We have had no problems with any of the products I have mentioned.
On the other hand, we have had dogs that are extremely freaked out and fling themselves around in the tub, had them jump off the grooming table, hanging themselves in the process. If we have a dog like that, the dog is taken out of the tub, or off the table, and grooming is over. The owners are notified of their dogs behavior.

I feel like atrained monkey at this point. My girlfriend, who is a dog groomer, is dictating to me as I type, so here we go. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

There are two possible scenarios.

1)The dog was tied to a floor stall, where there is a ring in the ground that they are tethered to. If the dog pulled back, got scared, flipped out, etc. it could have easily obtained a rope burn, bruising or a pulled muscle.

2) Same as above could have happened in a raised tub, but the dog also could have fallen/jumped out causing similar injuries. Alot of places use kennel leads on dogs that can cause some pretty nasty rope burnes, but that usually appears soon after the bath (within hours).

She syas to find a new groomer. If possible, set up an appointment where you can stay and watch or call around and ask what kind of dogs the groomers themselves own. Someone with large dogs themselves will be more likely to know how to handle one. Even one that doesnt like water. My gf has one golden retriver client that turns into Cujo the second you turn a dryer on her. So she trims her before the bath and then towell dries her instead of blow drying. Works out better for both of them.

Hope your gal feels better and that you find yourself a better groomer if that is what is needed. Also, if the vet thinks it was the groomer,send them a copy of the bill. Most reputabel places will pay the bill and give you an apology. You may want to call and forewarn the grooming salon that you are having issues withthe groom. They may refund your money.

My mom recommended the groomer who grooms her GSD... but then again her dog likes water and so he probably didn't freak. When I dropped her off there was another dog in a raised tub with a steps. I should have known right then and there it was a bad Idea. My dog will follow me anywhere except into a tub.

I just hope it heals well. I just looked at it today and it is still swollen and she cried in pain. She seems to have good range of motion in her neck and she isn’t walking stiff so hopefully it will heal 100%.

I asked them when I picked her up how she behaved during the bath and they said fine which I found totally surprising.

If I ever go to another groomer… I will insist on staying with my dog. If on Monday she isn't better I will see the vet I will let you know what he says.

Julia, i give my dogs a bath twice a year, in the summer i do it myself, in the winter i use a groomer that comes to my house in one of those big vans, the name is "goin to the dogs", it's a franchise. I can only speak for this groomer, she's great, she came over and met the dogs a week before their appointment, and she trains acd's, she seems to really like her job, she's a very nice lady, and she'll do emergencys(skunks, etc.) check around , i'll bet there's some mobile groomers in your area, you can watch the whole time, it's about 5-10 dollars more per dog, but well worth it, find someone like this and your good to go, AL

I am thinking the same as was said above that your dog was tied down, freaked and was injured. I can't believe the groomer wasn't honest enough to tell you. I would call them and tell them that your dog was returned to you injured. I had a problem with way one of my dogs was treated at the groomer I was going to, so when I switched I made it clear that if there was any problem at all to stop whatever they were doing and to call me.

if it's any help at all, here in my house, we simply put on the swimsuit (or nothing...), and put the dog in the shower with us--the dog gets clean, and we end up covered with dog hair! gotta have "dog towels", and make sure "someone's" gone "out" before the bath in cold weather...

it's like doing nails: no big deal, in the lap or in the tub, a happy reward when the dog deals with the job, a growl when it doesn't...

I am lucky in that I live in south FL, and it is usually not so cold that I cannot give my guys a bath outside. I use a wooden picnic table and run a rope down between the boards and tie it off on a leg of the table and then hook it to their collar. At first I had to use the prong collar and give them very little lead, but eventually they understood the process and adapted to it. Now both of my dogs, (Noley) Golden Ret. and (Coach) GSD are really good about getting bathed. After giving them a nice slow non threatening bath I brush them off to remove excess water and then just towel dry.
Good Luck, I hope your baby is OK.
Terry

julia--it is complete nonsense for your dog to be injured in this way by a groomer. that's all i can say. it is complete and utter nonsense, and if you put up with it, well...good luck