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Groom’d: The Must-do Pet Assessment Before Every Grooming Session
Editor’s note: PETS+ is the media partner for GROOM’D, the annual grooming-focused pet trade show presented by World Pet Association. The PETS+ team will be reporting live from Atlanta, GA, Friday through Sunday. To not miss any of the action, like our Facebook page and sign up for the daily GROOM’D ebulletin at petsplusmag.com/subscribe.
GROOM’D Seminar Snippets: Micah Kohles, DVM recognizes that groomers are the first line of defense when it comes to noticing potential health concerns since groomers see pets more often than vets do. He shared valuable information about what to include in every pre-grooming pet assessment. He encourages groomers to follow the same standard process for every pet, every time. If you don’t, you could miss something that could be treated before it becomes an issue. Consistency is key. And document everything!
Micah Kohles, DVM demonstrates the SOAP method during his session.
Dr. Kohles recommends using the SOAP method:
- Subjective: These checks can’t be measured but are extremely important. Dr. Kohles recommends starting with a visual and physical overview of the pet. Talk to the owner about the pet’s health and any concerns, behavior, and medical history. Document conversation topics.
- Objective: These are measurable checks to include in your documentation. These include checking the pet’s weight, temperature and hydration status. Document and compare to any previous information.
- Assessment: Organize what you learned through the first two steps in the process. Document everything and note any concerns or things to watch.
- Plan: Plan what to do with the information you’ve learned. Do you need to avoid grooming a certain area or follow up on an injury you noticed? Again, document everything.
Discuss any concerns with the owner. Most importantly, Dr. Kohles emphasized that every groomer has the opportunity and responsibility to educate owners and must always put the pet first.
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