Swale Tails

28/10/2024

02/10/2024

A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Live music by the lovely Jane Bennett starting at 1:30 PM, delicious roast dinners, a choice of chicken, pork, or veg in a relaxed atmosphere at Codford Tea Rooms.

01/07/2024

16/05/2024

Soft as a cloud.

02/05/2024

02/05/2024

Ready for summer!!!!!

02/05/2024

How cute am I?

01/05/2024

I’m in love all over again. The sweetest boy.

30/04/2024

This beauty is a Spanish water dog. I had the privilege to groom her today.❤️

24/04/2024

23/04/2024

Great Photography🥰

12/04/2024

So pretty 🥰

12/04/2024

Ready for the warm weather. ❤️❤️

09/06/2023

Respect possums! ❤

28/05/2023

Post Clipping Alopecia or PCA is defined as loss of proper coat growth due to clipping/shaving with clippers. There are a few things you need to know regarding PCA.

1. Who is most at risk of PCA? Fur bearing breeds are extremely susceptible to PCA. This includes any breed whose coat grows to a genetically predetermined length and stops. Nordic breeds are even more prone to PCA. Geriatrics, even those with hair, are also very susceptible to PCA.

2. What causes PCA? There is no definitive answer at this point, but there are two scientific theories from recent research. The first has to do with vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the skin. When the coat is shaved, even in warm weather, the skin reacts by constricting blood vessels that feed the follicles in the skin. Once these vessels constrict the follicles no longer proliferate leading to PCA.
The second theory has to do with the growth cycle. When the coat is shaved, the growth cycle becomes disrupted due to the skin sealing itself with oils from sebaceous and apocrine glands. This traps clipped hairs beneath the epidermis preventing them from shedding out leading to improper growth as well as skin diseases.

3. PCA is unpredictable. There is no way to tell if a particular canine will acquire PCA if you shave. Often there is no issue, but on the third or fifth or even the tenth time, it can happen.

4. Are there actual health risks posed by PCA? The short answer is yes. Again, diseases such as Alopecia X, Black Skin Disease, Furunculosis, and other skin diseases often accompany PCA.
Once the coat has been clipped, the body now strains to properly regulate body temperature. Because dogs do not sweat, a properly maintained coat keeps a canine both cool and warm. This strain to cool the body puts a strain on internal organs.

5. Can there be other causes? Yes. Heath problems such as Diabetes, Cushing's diseases, and Addison's disease should be ruled out. Pets who are known to have these health problems should not be shaved if at all possible.

6. Do felines get PCA? The short answer here is yes. While there is minimal research for canines there is even less for felines. Hair coated breeds such as Persians, Himalayans and others are not affected as often as true fur bearing breeds. While felines seem to be less affected by PCA than canines it can happen.

While there are situations such as severely matted or pelted coats that must be shaved for health health purposes, shaving because you think a pet is hot or shedding too much is simply not in the best interest of the pet. A professional groomers responsibility extends to protecting and promoting a healthy coat. A properly maintained coat will help regulate body temperature and prevent shedding.

Join us at the IAPEG where cutting edge education in the best interest of the pet is our top priority.
Get your membership here > https://theiapeg.com/membership-1

28/04/2023

Love my job

12/03/2023

The severely matted pet. Professional groomers see these cases more often than we would like. They can be heartbreaking because we understand the pain and disease that often accompany these cases. Here are a few things to understand about matted coats:

1. Severely matted coats cannot simply be 'brushed out'. Yes, a few matts that are not matted to skin can be brushed out, but sever matting means shaving. There is not an option to 'leave the coat fluffy' because clipper blades must pass under matts not through them. This often means a very short shave.
2. When the coat is severely matted, often referred to as pelted, the coat cannot properly regulate body temperature. Both canines and felines use thermoregulation to keep the body cool or warm depending on the weather. This means the body struggles much harder to maintain normal temperature.
3. Matted coats are almost always accompanied by some type of skin disease. Matting holds excess moisture and bacteria and/or fungus near the skin. As the natural microbiome is decreased, the skin becomes susceptible to infection from these diseases.
4. Matted coats are painful and that's a fact. The extra weight pulls on the skin causing discomfort. When matting is present around legs, ears, or tail, proper movement can become impeded and painful. This is why we term this 'neglectful abuse'. This type of matting does not occur overnight.

If your pet's coat has gotten out of control, contact your professional groomer NOW. The longer you wait, the worse it will be and the more the pet suffers.