G.G.'s Groom & Room

11/16/2025

I’m not the only one! I have never understood the reasoning behind everyone giving gabapentin to their dogs for every malady. Even prescribed for grooming ??
Could mask other issues you need to be aware of.
Clic on Dr Laurie Coger post to read the entire article

I am beyond frustrated with the inappropriate and excessive use of this drug for dogs in my profession. No, it's not Librela, or Apoquel. Not metronidazole or other antibiotics. Not NSAIDS or prednisone.

I'm talking about gabapentin.

Gabapentin, commonly known as gaba, is labelled for treatment of seizures and for neuropathic pain. It's thought to help with anxiety, but there is no proof that it does. It provides sedation, which many owners mistake for anxiety relief. Yet it is being used for everything from post-operative pain to soft tissue injury, often without the addition of true pain medications. Yes, I support thoughtful use of NSAIDs as well as other pain management strategies such as herbs, PEMF, laser, acupuncture, etc. An individualized, multimodal approach. What I cannot support is giving an ineffective, unproven drug and thinking you're managing your dog's pain.

Want to know more, before you comment? Check out the first comments for scientific references. (Note: if you copy and paste the article title in your search box, it. should be viewable)

11/11/2025

Remembrance Day Ceremonies will be observed today Nov. 11

11/09/2025

The handsome, happy, happy, happy boys 😁
This batch are easy to work with. The brushing, the clipping, the tidy up and baths. They patiently take them in stride. I’m certain they “know” when they are fluffed and finished.
They pose! They strut and smile. The little white Pom cross, was very patient, I had so many interruptions, and he was on and off the table about 10 times before he was finished, still bouncy and smiling. The little black Pom mix, always behaves well, sits calmly through his groom, occasionally tries to leap off the table, never shows aggressive tendencies, but he has a “spicy” personality quirk, his owner shows up and he starts growling and sometimes being a bit snappy, as they put him on a leash or he’s carried out under their arm. She said; “oh, he’s always like that”
His saving grace, he’s “cute” 🥰

11/08/2025

In colder months, when our furnaces start to run more and the air is dryer, static electricity forms quicker, hair gets charged, sticks together and mats form.
Despite requests for longer cuts, I sometimes have no choice; to remove mats completely, the overall clip will be shorter than that requested.
Tidy and brush out is great for all dogs going into fall.
A side note for all those owning a dog with long hair on the nose, this area must be kept short. Any hair licked into the mouth area should be cut off.
Any small long hair breeds:check the bums regularly, balls is poo can stick and b**g up, creating discomfort for the dog and a mess for you! Keep it clipped clean.

10/23/2025

It may be time for sweaters and then the light fall jacket!
Temps are continuing their downward trend and although we do try to leave the coats longer at this time of the year, sometimes it is impossible.
After a summer of being in the water, running through the burrs, rose bushes, brambles and mud, the hair will mat down tight. In these cases I do try to split through vertically with my scissors ✂️before even attempting a 5 or 7F blade as the blade will simply not be able to lift the hair enough to get under the mat without binding the blade. It only take a few unfortunate pulls on the hair without cutting for the blade to be done and dull. The 2 white ones we pulled and scissored mats out before we could use a clipper to try and blend and even out the chops. Poodles, when doing the feet, groin and face,a #10 blade is your friend.
We still aim to create a cute, debris free face, and mat-free coat . 😊✂️📏

10/18/2025

Under coat! Double coat!
Both these breeds deal with a double coat, longer coarse guard hairs and a softer dense undercoat
Although the husky weighs in around 50kg while the pom weighs in at 5.5kg, the Pom took a bit longer than the Husky. We deshed hair that hadn’t fully let go through the summer on the husky and the matted undercoat on the Pom, which was not going to shed on its own. A tidy up
To blend his shape and he is ready to rock. His guard hairs are more sparse and this dilutes their colour. Double coat breeds if it is necessary to clip down they can sometimes grow in sparse, patchy or partial. Sometimes using omega 3 camelina, fish or other oils, helps, it supports hair re-growth.

10/16/2025

Different breeds can have similar features, different temperaments. Most of these are quite mellow, Snowy is more anxious and vocal.
Genie is a Havanese, fine hair, prone to matting quickly.
Shadow (Maltese X) similar haircoat but finer hair) had to be brushed before being tidied, his owner had be cutting out the bad mats to keep ahead of him needing a shave down. Snowy, Pomeranian (coarser straight hair, fine around backend) just needed a light tidy, mane feet, pedi (he howled) and shorten bum area, Pip ( terrier mix) wiry coarser hair, sheds more.
Ben (cocker X) has allergies so he is a short clip, help to cool from mild inflammation of the skin.

10/10/2025

Sometimes when the mats are too bad, regardless of the requests, for length, it all has to come off.
I do try and work with the type of coat and breed, but there are limitations. Some breeds, the hair “dreads” if not brushed consistently, some felt down, some mat, some create static and some hide health issues, injuries or ticks, fleas or lice. Do you know why they are scratching? Do you check? You should.
A sweater or winter jacket can be a wise investment for a small furry companion on those cold morning potty breaks.

10/09/2025

Close clips are being replaced with tidy ups and longer grooms. Getting ready for the cooler fall temperatures. Tux the cat (not Bear) is not always impressed with his trip down from the Territories but he does well with his owner Tony placating him. Arlo has sensory issues, we have to muzzle for his underbelly bits. Moose came down for a first time visit, wonderful Aussie Shepherd. Lucy lives in the house so doesn’t need a heavy coat. Baya is a mix, and had gotten into the burrs, she is a senior and if you looked closely you can tell she did not grow back evenly after her last clipping. I was reluctant to take her down closer in case the regrowth was even more patchy. It was a good brush out, tidy and bath. See if we can help stimulate those hair follicles to reactivate fully.

09/26/2025

White fluffy friends, and Toby. The special ones. When trying to take pictures some dogs are just more photogenic.
The little Westie “Fergus” (a 2012 model) I have groomed for years, then he moved away and now he’s back for a visit. He has always been a handsome little boy! The next 3 are still youngsters.
Little Toby, a small brown Shihtzu, has been around since 2011, he sleeps more and has cataracts but can be as feisty as ever.
Seniors, the haircoat thins and we watch for lumps and bumps and warts and skin tags. Still enjoying life❣️

09/24/2025

We are seeing sticks and straw and burrs!
If burrs are tightly integrated into the hair, for the comfort of the dog it is best to clip or cut them out.
Otherwise using a fine metal comb and a slicker brush are effective. Using a detangler or coconut oil may help with small portions. Large matted areas can be split down vertically to break them into smaller sections, allowing you to work on less mass, starting at the bottom and working to skin.
Under no circumstances should you bath your dog before removing mats, debris or burrs. Water will cause the hair mats to tighten and adhere them even tighter to the skin.
Never pull up on a mat and cut, you will likely have pulled up skin as well and you will take a chunk out of your dog, leaving a laceration. Fall is a good time to check feet, haircoat, belly, ears and backend for any foreign seeds and brambles, get them tidied for fall🍂🍁

09/17/2025

Little visitors.
One is a little Q-tip😁and one is old enough to drive!

All of these have wonderful temperatures, easy to work on