how to groom crippled senior sheltie

[margsheltie]

my 10 yr old, Tybee is impossible to groom
she was a stray, hit by a car
her pelvis was broken & has healed crooked
those nerves are so sensitive
she will not allow me to touch her back or rear without nipping
I've tried scissor trimming those mats but each snip makes her flinch
a very light brush is tolerated but for a short time
the Furminator is too rough
she likes a bath but the water pressure cannot spray hard & the drying off part is too rough
would a bath tangle product help with the matting
I wondered about giving her a sedative before hand too
has anyone used chiropody for their pets & how successful was it
I fear that a groomer would just let her holler and traumatize her further
any suggestions are appreciated

 

[dawns2shelties]

Is she on any type of pain meds? If not I would talk to your vet about that. I am always afraid of using sedatives in an older pet but that's something you also need to discuss with the vet. My Lacey had severe hip and leg problems and I really knew my groomer well and trusted her she knew Lacey since she was a pup and really cared about her. I would just have her bathed and feet nails and pants trimmed but the last 2 years we would give her a quick puppy cut (shaved down but not close) She was Collie and Samoyed mix and her hair was very thick. If you go the route of the groomer make sure it is someone you can trust and I would only do it if you can stay there with her. Lacey's last 6 mos. I just used a spray type shampoo that you don't rinse out you just brush through. I also forgot to mention I made sure she took her pain meds about a half hour before I would brush her or she was groomed. My groomer would also work on her in intervals with breaks in between so she wasn't standing for long periods all at once. She would be there awhile but I appreciated her consideration and care she showed Lacey. I don't know if this helped any but i hope I've given you some things to consider.