The experienced groomer was consulted about the itchy neck in this young dog. He referred this case to the vet as it would not be a simple grooming job and would result in an unsatisfactory customer.

What was the cause of the itchy neck?  The dog did not like the neck to be handled. After tranquilisation, the cause was a rubber band strangulation wound. It was a mystery to the owner who had no small children as to how the rubber band could have been there.   It could have been there when the dog was a puppy and as the neck grew, the band tightened.

The wound was septic and therefore could not be operated on immediately. After 3 days of antibiotics and treatment, a fresh wound edge was created under general anaesthesia and the dog should recover well at home.

Later, I had a case of two ears of the Shih Tzu bleeding.  The domestic worker had used the groomer's rubber bands (specially made for tying up the forehead hairs of the Shih Tzu) to tie the ear tips. The dog was scratching furiously at the ear tips, leading to bleeding. The groomer (a different one from the above) quickly took off the rubber band and sought veterinary treatment.  This would be a case of a rubber band strangulation wound if left unattended. 


Extracts from the Asiahomes.com Book: How Your Puppy Can Live Longer  
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS.
Buyers interested in this book, email to judy@asiahomes.com

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