razor burn

I use a # 15 blade on face and feet on clients dogs. I reccently got the guts to do Jazz's face with a #40 blade and OMG. I love it, but yes she did get a little rashed. Poor baby. She twitched and I accidently sort of dug the tip of the blade into the bridge of her nose. It was a little red so I put some tripple antibiotic anti itch loton on her and regular cream on the rest of her face. The next day there were little scabbies in that one place so I kept the antibiotic stuff on it a couple times a day and made extra sure her nails were filed totaly smooth. That was last friday and now the little scabs are gone and her face is sooo perdy. I don't know if I'll keep it that short forever though... we'll see.

It could be that the groomer took the face shorter than Ginger's skin was used to. As for scratching, alot of poodles do that right after being clipped just becuase it feels different. The problem comes in when the nails are clipped and not filed, leaving sharp edges. I would think the effect on newly bare shin would be obvious but I am surprised at how many groomers don't think about it. Also sometimes if the blade gets hot burns happen. In a perfect world that wouldn't be the case but I will admit to occasionaly forgeting the check my blade and cool it down mid groom. I keep my blade really cool as a rule buuuutt, there have been times when I pressed the blade to my wrist to check how warm it was and got a nice little sizzle. I hate myself when that happens, *knock on wood* though it doesn't happen often.

Be extra sure to tell the groomer about the clipper irritation on your next visit and ask them to file the nails and to do Ginger's face with a #10 blade only. Also ask what type of "cool lube" they use (the question is ment to remind them to use it rather than actualy get info on the product). Let them know she is sensative and that you've been doing the face with a #10. They may also put a hypo conditioner, or a skin soothing spray or lotion (or both) on her face, feet, and tail in the bath and after the groom. That might help too. Hope her face stops itching soon!!!

I love bag balm, I've been putting it on Jaz's rough, cracked feet and they are much improved. A few years back one of our good friend's husbands told us to put back balm on a blad spot on howie's head (he stuck his head under the fence and got a nasty scrape that when it healed refused to grow hair back - just as smooth as could be). He said it would make the hair grow back. Ummm K. So we did and I was amazed. Of course it could have been a fluke but to this day I still keep in on hand right next to the neosporin for lifes little emergancies

Sass, The #40 blade IS very short. At first when I did Jazz's face with it I was horrified. I love it now though, and I think I'm gonna do it one more time and see if she burns. If she does, we'll go back to the 15 blade but if not I think I'll keep it that short. I loves it! I just looks so smooth and perdy!

Oh wow Pmaela, I didn't realize this was the second time with the same groomer. I'm sorry to hear her skin didn't clear up. I would highly suggest going to the vet and calling the groomer. If she doesn't own she shop talk to the person who does and request that they pay for your vet visit. I might even go as far as taking Ginger up there to SHOW them that the burn is serious. I would be worried about infection in a scabbed area if it had an odor to it. Hubby says not to wash it in peroxide again, he's an EMT and has some long explination about why which I don't feel like re-typing. Also, and I just thought of this, when I worked at the vet clinic we were told NOT to reccomend neosporin because in dogs it retards the healing process. This was per one of the four doctors that owned the clinic. So it might be worth a phone call to your vet to check what their opinion is. I have a habit of calling all antibacterial ointments neosporin but the one I have actualy isn't. It's made for animals and comes from the vet clinic. My vet tells me it is different from neosporin so I just nodd and say OK, since I'm not the expert.
Make doubly sure to tell your next groomer about the problem as well and request they use the same blade you do for the face.
Poor Poor Baby!!! I hope her skin clears up soon. It can't be confortable for her.

Its actually call clipper burn, as you dont use a razor on a dog. I wouldnt blame the groomer neither, your dog may just have sensitive skin so ask her to use a 15 on the face, feet and tail. All my dogs are done with a 40 or 50, just love the finish it puts on them. Having said this, if you use these blades, its best to be done on a weekly basis, cause if left for 6 weeks or longer it will really irritate the poor dogs skin. How often are you getting the dog done, it should never really be left longer than 6 weeks for a pet.

If you find your dog is scratching when he gets done, put metho on a cotton bud, give a squeeze and wipe in on the close clipped areas. This tends to take away the itching. You may have to do it a few times after seeing him scratch. Always watch out for eyes, anus and privates as it can sting.