Dear Daisy Dog
Our dog had never had a seizure until he visited the groomer. Could the stress of grooming have caused his seizure? Should we find a new groomer?
Daisy Responds
Stress certainly can trigger seizures in susceptible dogs. And, for some dogs, grooming is stressful, given the bathing, noisy blow dryers and unfamiliar dogs nearby.
If your dog was groomed at a large facility with multiple grooming tables and dryers, try someone in a smaller, quieter location or a mobile groomer.
I love my groomer, in part because her grooming salon is like a peaceful, private spa. She puts cotton in my ears to muffle the sound of the dryer -– and treats in my mouth to keep me happy.
If your dog’s seizures continue with the mobile or solo groomer, talk with your veterinarian about administering a medication like Valium prior to grooming. It has both anti-anxiety and anti-seizure effects.
Your veterinarian also can rule out other causes of seizures, such as liver disease, lead toxicity or hypoglycemia from an insulin-secreting pancreatic tumor.
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