by Kathy Hosler
e all know that just one bad bite or serious accident can put an end to our grooming career. And while it’s not possible to prevent every unexpected event, you can take precautions to minimize your risk.
I asked some stylists for their stories about experiences they have had that changed the way they groom, the equipment they use and the pets they will or will not accept. Here is what they had to say….
“In the beginning of my career, I stepped on my clipper cord,” Olga Zabelinskaya says. “The clipper flew and the blade hit my leg, there was a lot of blood everywhere. Since that time I use cordless clippers only.”
Peggy Hurt knows firsthand about accidents in the workplace. She suffered the consequences when someone was careless in the salon: “I was getting a dog out of the tub and someone had left a big bag on the floor behind me,” says Peggy. “I did not see it and I fell to the floor with the dog in my arms. The dog was fine, but I was out of work for a week.”
Helen Schaefer shared her shocking experience, which is one that she won’t soon forget: “I was electrocuted when I worked for a big-box store,” shares Helen. “One of the hoses from the kennel fans had an exposed wire. It electrified the entire cage bank. And stupid me thought it was static when I first touched the cage bank, so then of course the second time I touched it, it really buzzed me. We are lucky no dogs were injured.”
As if groomers are not busy enough around the holidays, Anjie Coates had to spend a couple of hours at urgent care during the week of Christmas: “I bought a new clipper vac and was installing it when it accidentally got turned on and shot off the wall,” Anjie recounts. “As it crashed down, the exhaust outtake landed on my finger and cut it to the bone. My business partner grabbed paper towels and kept telling me to squeeze it.
“My assistant drove me to urgent care where I told them I’m allergic to all local anesthetics,” Angie continues. “So they had to stitch it without anything, which freaked the guy out. I kept saying to him, ‘It’s fine, just sew it like a quilt. I can take it, go, go, go, I have dogs to groom.’
“They told me that I should not work for a week,” Anjie adds. “But I went back to the salon and groomed seven dogs. Lesson learned: Do not catch flying equipment!”
Bites are one of the most common injuries that groomers face on a daily basis. In addition to the pain of the initial bite, you may also experience infection, nerve damage, scarring, psychological trauma or post-traumatic stress.
bites are one of the most common injuries that groomers face on a daily basis. In addition to the pain of the initial bite, you may also experience infection, nerve damage, scarring, psychological trauma OR post-traumatic stress.
“Urgent care was able to remove the tooth, clean the wound, and start me on antibiotics immediately,” Tammy continues. “Two days later, the infection was spreading and the antibiotics were changed. All ended up OK, but now I’m extra vigilant when I’m drying pets.”
Veteran groomer Mary Arnold was bitten on the upper lip by a Dachshund and needed plastic surgery for the scar it left. Here she shares advice for others to help them avoid bites: “I think a big one is learning to read dogs,” Mary advises. “It’s always wise to err on the side of safety, such as putting a muzzle or E-collar on a dog that is giving you serious side eye.
“You should only be doing difficult dogs when you have someone to assist you that knows how to assist you,” Mary continues. “Also, embrace the idea that you do NOT have to offer service to every dog/client. Some are much better served at a veterinarian’s office under drugs.”
Lori Bowman agrees and adds, “I learned it’s not worth it to do aggressive dogs. They can injure themselves or me, and that’s just not worth the price a groom pays me. Some dogs are just not workable.”
Amy Brick Fioriello says, “I’ve been grooming 18 years, and on Friday I got a bad bite. Now, I need to see a hand surgeon because they are worried about my tendons.
“What did I learn from this?” Amy adds. “Never let an owner help with a bad dog. If I can’t get it done with the help of my employees, then they can take their pet somewhere else.”
Dogs aren’t the only ones who are prone to sinking their teeth into groomers. Just listen to these groomers’ stories about some cats they have worked on…
“I turned the water on the lowest setting to see how she would react,” Ellie continues. “The water never even touched her and she flipped out. She slipped out of her harness and jumped out of the tub. I was able to grab her when she landed on the floor. But since her ‘fight or flight’ was on, she went for my leg and really dug in. I was able to pry her off my leg and get her into her carrier without further injury.
“You should only be doing difficult dogs when you have someone to assist you that knows how to assist you. Also embrace the idea that you do NOT have to offer service to every dog/client.”
-Mary Arnold
Carla Freestep also ran afoul of a feline who objected to being bathed: “Early in my career, I was working at a veterinary hospital, and I was tasked with bathing a silver shaded Persian cat,” says Carla. “The cat was angry and sunk her teeth into my hand. It hurt, but I only had an hour or so left on my shift, so I figured I’d finish out and then go to the doctor.
“By the end of my shift, my hand was swollen, red, and throbbing,” Carla continues. “I went to the doctor and got some antibiotics, then went home. The next morning, my hand was swollen stiff, incredibly painful, and there was a red line crawling up my arm. I went back to the doctor and got a butt load (literally) of antibiotic injections. That got the infection under control, but it took about three weeks for my hand to heal.
“I learned that you don’t mess around with cat bites,” Carla says emphatically. “Get to the doctor ASAP. Even a scratch can make you sick.”
While not immune to unprovoked attacks, stylists who have been grooming for decades are usually savvy enough to know how serious a cat bite can be…
“I was finishing grooming a large domestic medium hair,” says Daryl Connor. “He’d had his nails trimmed, ears cleaned, been well-combed-out, and a bath. He tolerated being dried well, and I was almost finished when I saw one little area that needed trimming before I returned him to his carrier.
“Well, he had other plans, and sunk his fangs deep into my index finger. I believe I felt his canine tooth scrape my knuckle bone,” Daryl continues. “I performed good first aid, but knew it was a pretty serious injury. I loathe going to the doctor, but this time I went right away.
“The doctor told me to start on antibiotics and not to work the next day. He suggested I apply heat and elevate my hand. So, I took my first day off in eleven years. I wrapped my finger in a moist cloth, then in a heating pad, and kept it over my head all day. The bite felt better the next day and I returned to work. I believe my following doctor’s orders in this instance prevented me from a serious infection. It also brought home to me how dangerous a cat bite can be,” Daryl concludes.
As all of these stylists will attest, unexpected injuries can and do happen. But learning how to handle problem pets, keep your work area clear of hazards and your equipment in good repair may help you avoid a “horror story” of your own.