Dog Grooming Fiasco Part One: Rough Handling Causes Bruising

My neighbors, Mary & Steve, have two dogs, Jazz and Lexi. Jazz is a little charcoal poodle who loves to jump about. Perhaps they could have named her Riff rather than Jazz because most of the time she will not hold a note for longer than 30 seconds.

Last Friday, Jazz and Lexi were groomed and Saturday morning Mary banged on my door at 7:30 because there were red and purple blotches over Jazz’s abdomen. There were two possibilities:

• an allergic reaction, or
• bruising.

If it were an allergic reaction, the groomer may have used a soap or spray that stimulated the immune system causing histamine release, dilated vessels and an allergic rash. Years ago, we would have immediately given a steroid such as prednisone for an allergic reaction. Today, we have excellent homeopathic medications to control allergic reactions, such as Cutis Compositum, Apis, and Allergy. In addition, the skin should be rinsed free of soap or spray.

Rather than being an allergic reaction, though, Lexi’s appeared to have bruising. Bruising is more of a concern than allergies because it can indicate failure of Lexi’s blood to clot. This occurs if the spleen or liver aren’t working well. It can also occur with diseases that affect the bone marrow, such as lymphoma. Rat and mouse poisons can cause bruising because they stimulate hemorrhage.

If Jazz had a blood clotting problem, her gums would be pale; her pulse, rapid; the white sclera of her eyes, yellow. None of these signs were present. Lexi’s gums were a normal pink. When the gums were pressed lightly causing them to blanch, the color returned within a second. Lexi’s heart rate was rapid but strong and not thready. A weak, thready pulse can indicate anemia from blood loss. Thus, Lexi didn’t have any indication of having a blood clotting abnormality that could cause unusual bruising.

If Lexi didn’t have a clotting problem, the most likely cause of bruising was that the groomer had handled her roughly—grabbing and squishing hard enough to cause more than two dozen bruises. In addition to bruising on the abdomen, there were faint bruises visible under the hair on her back.

For Lexi’s bruising and trauma, two holistic medicines provide help: a homeopathic with arnica and Yunnan Paiyo. Yunnan Paiyo is a herb contained within a capsule. that helps with inflammation and has a special healing benefit for bruises and blood loss.

Tomorrow: Dog Grooming Fiasco Part Two