Medical Grooming Services in Mission, BC

For pets who find standard grooming difficult, painful, or stressful, medical grooming provides a safer and more comfortable option. At Lougheed Animal Hospital in Mission, BC, our medical grooming services are performed by our veterinary team, often with sedation, to ensure your pet is calm and as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. Medical grooming is a practical solution for pets with anxiety, matted coats, or those who cannot tolerate handling. Call (604) 826-7066 to discuss whether medical grooming is right for your pet.

Dematting Services

Severe matting in dogs and cats can cause skin irritation, restrict movement, hide wounds or parasites, and cause significant discomfort. Mats that are close to the skin cannot safely be removed with standard brushing and require careful professional attention. Our veterinary team assesses the extent of matting, discusses the safest approach, and determines whether sedation is appropriate to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible for your pet. After dematting, we discuss coat care and brushing routines to help prevent recurrence. We treat the skin beneath the mats and note any underlying concerns that may need further attention.

Sedated Nail Trim

Some dogs and cats become extremely stressed or reactive during standard nail trims, making the procedure difficult and potentially unsafe for both the pet and the handler. When standard handling is not sufficient to allow a safe and calm nail trim, a sedated nail trim is the appropriate option. Sedation allows our team to complete the procedure thoroughly without causing distress, and your pet recovers quickly afterward. We perform a brief pre-sedation assessment and discuss the process with you beforehand. Sedated nail trims are available as a standalone appointment or combined with other medical grooming services.

Sedated Shave

A sedated shave may be recommended for pets with severely matted coats that cannot be addressed through dematting alone, or when shaving is needed to assess the skin beneath, prepare a surgical site, or provide relief during hot weather. Our veterinary team performs the shave while your pet is comfortably sedated, ensuring the procedure is thorough and safe. We assess the skin as part of the process and note any findings that may need follow-up. The type of shave is determined by what is clinically appropriate for your pet, not by aesthetic style.

Explore More

Wellness exams including coat and skin assessment

Dermatology and skin care for underlying conditions

Nail trim as part of routine pet care services

FAQs

Is sedation safe for my dog or cat during a medical grooming appointment?

Yes. We perform a brief health assessment before every sedated procedure to ensure your pet is an appropriate candidate. Our veterinary team monitors your pet throughout the procedure and during recovery. The level of sedation is tailored to your pet’s size, health status, and what needs to be accomplished. For most pets, sedation for grooming is brief and recovery is straightforward.

How do I know if my pet needs medical grooming instead of regular grooming?

If your pet becomes aggressive, highly stressed, or impossible to safely handle during standard grooming, or if the matting is too severe for a standard brush-out, medical grooming is worth discussing. Some pets have underlying pain or anxiety that makes routine handling intolerable. Call us and describe what you are experiencing. We will advise on whether a medical grooming appointment is the right approach.

Can I prevent matting in my dog’s or cat’s coat at home?

Yes. Regular brushing appropriate to your pet’s coat type is the most effective prevention. Long-coated pets typically need brushing several times a week or daily to prevent mat formation. We can recommend brushing tools appropriate for your pet’s coat and walk you through how to check for early mat formation behind the ears, under the limbs, and around the collar area.

Medical grooming provides a safe, calm option for pets who struggle with standard care. Call Lougheed Animal Hospital at (604) 826-7066 or book online to discuss medical grooming for your dog or cat in Mission, BC.