Shih Tzu Dangers at the Grooming Salon
Overview
Since the Shih Tzu is a breed whose hair just keeps growing, this means that to keep a Shih Tzu with a neat, tidy coat, it's quite common for owners to take their guy or gal to a dog grooming salon. Other tasks can be done at the grooming salon as well, such as nail trimming, ear cleaning, and even anal gland expression if needed.
And while taking your Shih Tzu to the groomers may seem like a rather mundane thing to do, there are some exceedingly dangerous risks that you'll want to know about. This is not to discourage you from taking your little one to the groomers, but rather to warn you about what can happen, and sadly what did happen to one of AllShihTzu's members. We will also offer tips to keep your Shih Tzu safe at the groomers.
First, let's take a quick look at some of the benefits of taking your Shih Tzu to the groomer for a haircut:
An experienced, reputable groomer at a salon can give your Shih Tzu
a really nice 'summer cut' like 3 year old Rusty is modeling for you.
Photo of Rusty courtesy of Max
The hairs on the face and head can be nicely trimmed to give
your Shih Tzu a tidy appearance like Max is showing us.
Photo of Max, at 4 years old, courtesy of Debi L.
And, even if the coat is kept long, a groomer can trim up the beard, ears and face to give a Shih Tzu a wonderful neat and tidy appearance, like Chewie and Malla are showing to us.
Photo of Chewie and Malla courtesy of Sameta & Jason T.
However, some grooming salons can be very dangerous places:
Here are just a few examples:
- In 2015, a Golden Retriver named Colby died after being left in a Petco dryer. It was ruled that he died of heat stroke.
- In 2016, a Jack Russell named Skip died at a Petco in California during a grooming session. A choke harness was placed on him and he was left alone. When someone finally came back to him, he was dead.
- In 2017, a 5 year old Pug that was in perfect health died at a Rhode Island Petco during a grooming session.
- In 2017, a Shih Tzu mix named Daisy died at the Dirty Dog pet grooming salon in Rhode Island. It was determined that she choked to death after falling off a table wearing a choke collar that the groomer placed on her.
- In 2018, A Corgi named Abby, that was 8 years old and in perfect health, died at a PetSmart, cause of death is unknown.
- In 2018, an English Bulldog named Scruffles that was in perfect health, was sent by the staff of a Petco in New Jersey to a veterinary hospital, where he was dead on arrival.
- In 2023, a Pug named Berlin, died at a grooming salon in Florida. He was muzzled while having his nails trimmed and collapsed.
And the list most definitely goes on...
And, that brings us to Hercules, a Shih Tzu that tragically died at a grooming salon:
Hercules had just turned 8 years old in March of 2018. He lived in Parsons, Kansas with his loving owner Kimberly Waun.
What happened:
This super-handsome Shih Tzu had been going to the same groomer since he was a little pup. So, one day this past April, Kimberly dropped him off as usual. A couple of hours later, she received a phone call and was told that Hercules had died, and that it was probably due to cardiac arrest.
It turns out that a girl who was new to grooming was assigned to Hercules that day. Apparently, after Hercules was biting at the girl while getting his feet trimmed, the regular groomer came in, put a muzzle on this poor little guy, and left him alone with the new girl, who did not notice that this handsome Shih Tzu was not breathing until it was too late.
Kimberly reached out to us, trying to make sense of this horrible tragedy. How could she bring her Shih Tzu to the grooming salon as usual and lose her little guy in this way?
Our thoughts:
Though we're neither lawyers nor veterinarians, certain aspects are quite evident. The groomers' assumption that the Shih Tzu died of cardiac arrest without a necropsy is presumptive, especially since the dog had no known heart issues. In potential cardiac arrest cases, there's a critical 4 to 6 minute window for CPR, which raises questions about the groomer's response time when the dog stopped breathing.
Additionally, it's crucial to note that muzzles should never be used on Shih Tzu dogs due to their small nostrils, as it hampers their ability to breathe through both nose and mouth and poses significant risks. Our condolences go out to Kimberly and her family for this unfortunate and tragic incident during grooming.
Ways to Help Ensure Safety at a Grooming Salon
Because bringing their Shih Tzu to the groomers is really a 'must' for many pet parents, it's important to take time to ensure that all of these safety measures are in place. If you feel that these steps cannot be enforced at the groomer of your choice, it may be time to choose a new one.
#1 When shopping for a new groomer or even just to reassure yourself about the current one, ask to see credentials.
At the time of this writing, there are no educational requirements to be a pet groomer. Just about anyone can call themselves a groomer and set up a shop or be hired as a groomer. But, do ask to see any certificates and proof of how long someone has been grooming. It is a plus if a groomer has a professional certification through the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), which is voluntary.
Also ask for past and current client references. Once you have been given the list, do not assume that everyone will say that the groomer is wonderful; be sure to reach out to them and ask.
It is a plus if the groomer has been certified in pet CPR.
#2 If it is an option, choose a groomer that has an observation window.
Not all grooming salons offer this, but if so, it will allow you to watch the full grooming process, to see how your Shih Tzu is handled, see what may spook your dog, and if they are ever left alone on the table.
#3 Consider staying at any rate.
It's very common for owners to drop their dogs off, run some errands, and pick them up afterward. We all do it. And, if you really trust your groomer and all other tips that are offered here are followed, it may be perfectly safe to do so. This said, should an emergency occur, you can save precious time by being right there as opposed to being called and then driving to them.
#4 If you have a groomer you trust, make it exceptionally clear that they are not to use a replacement.
Under any circumstances. And not even for some of the 'easier' tasks. This may mean that an appointment could be canceled if the groomer is out sick or is running behind and not able to attend to your Shih Tzu.
#5 No matter how long you have had the same groomer, ask for reassurance that your Shih Tzu is never left alone.
While it may be hard to get this in writing, a groomer may think twice about walking away after having speaking to their client about this.
#6 Make it abundantly clear that you do not want a muzzle placed on your Shih Tzu for any reason.
Do not assume that the groomer knows your feelings. Make it clear that if your guy or gal is nipping, barking, or does anything else that might make them even consider a muzzle, that you do not want them to do it. Instead, they are to call you and you will come right away to pick your dog up.
#7 Ask if force-automatic dryers are used.
These are death traps if a dog is left inside too long. And, the super-fast air that comes out is often much too overwhelming for flat-faced breeds like the Shih Tzu. Specifically ask that a handheld, standard blow dryer be used. If you need to, bring your little guy or gal home in a towel and dry your Shih Tzu yourself when you get back or just allow him/her to air dry.
#8 Do not be afraid to change groomers.
If you get a bad vibe from someone or if your Shih Tzu seems shaken up after being at the groomers, consider looking for a new one. Trust your gut feelings. And, while a dog may be afraid of being handled and may not enjoy being brushed, trimmed, and otherwise touched, dogs have instincts about people too; even if a dog is not mistreated, it may just not be a good match.
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