Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

To remove mats, first saturate the clumps of hair with coat conditioner for
several minutes. This rehydrates the hair and closes the barbs. Then separate
as much of the mat as you can with your fingers.
Some mats can be removed with the tip of a comb. However, most require
the use of scissors, an electric clipper, or a mat splitter. Cutting into mats with
scissors must be done with extreme care, because a dog’s skin is not attached
to the underlying muscle and tents up as the mat is pulled. Do not slide the
scissors beneath the mat and attempt to remove it flush with the skin. You
will almost certainly remove a piece of skin. When possible, slide a comb
beneath the mat as a barrier between the scissors and the skin. Then hold the
scissors perpendicular to the comb and carefully snip into the fur ball in narrow
strips. Similar care must be taken with electric clippers. Tease the mat out
gently. After the mat has been removed, comb out residual snarls.
This technique also works for removing burdocks and tangled plant material.
Nonstick cooking sprays may help to ease the plant material out of the
hair without cutting any coat.
To remove gum, put an ice cube on the gum first, then try to slide it off. If
that doesn’t work, you will need to carefully cut it out.
Beyond the Brush
A good canine care and maintenance program should include a schedule for
examining the ears, cleaning the teeth, clipping the nails, and, if necessary,
emptying the anal sacs.
Be sure to groom beneath the ear flaps and inspect the openings of the ear
canals at least once a month, and whenever your dog has been running in tall
grass, weeds, and brush. Plant matter can enter the ear canals by first clinging
to the hair around the openings.
Inspect the ear canals for dirt, debris, excess wax, and a disagreeable odor.
If any of these are present, clean as described in Cleaning the Ears, page 207. If
the ear canals are clean, leave them alone, as excessive cleaning can interfere
with local immune defense mechanisms. Any discharge should be brought to
the attention of your veterinarian.
Routinely inspecting and cleaning the teeth will prevent the build-up of tartar
and calculus. For more information, see Taking Care of Your Dog’s Teeth, page 248.
Inspecting the anal sacs may disclose a buildup of secretions. To empty the
anal sacs, see Anal Sacs, page 290.
TRIMMING THE NAILS
THE SKIN AND COAT • 107
Most dogs wear down their nails through activity. If they are not worn down
naturally, however, they can become extremely long and damage carpets and