Grooming tips for elderly, sensitive and grumpy please

Tia, 18 year old Border Collie, can't stand up for very long any more as she is riddled with arthritis, hates being brushed now as she winces as if her skin hurts. I have to do perhaps only 2 or 3 minutes at a time! I am finding it difficult to keep on top of her grooming because of the lack of time I'm able to work on her and she is looking very scruffy.

I have to cut the hair away from her back end to avoid dirty botty syndrome and although I have taken her to the vets about her 'sensitivity' he says that she is in fine fettle for her age.

I am reluctant to take her to a professional groomer so wondered if anyone had any ideas about this especially as the weather is getting hotter and I am trying to help her keep as cool as possible.

thanks in advance

Oh bless her...... scruffy is just fine, in my opinion

x

Thanks Vicki (long time no speak) I'm not particularly bothered bout how she looks, more about her comfort really

Oh bless her and I'm afraid I have no good advice

My elderly cat is 16 and she's the same now, she can't bear to be brushed. I can use a velvet mitten on her which helps a bit, but that probably wouldn't be much good on a collie.

An idea, does she swim? What about bathing?

Swimming and shampoos often get rid of a lot of undercoat etc and help with scurf.

So swimming would take the load off her joints.

If she cannot swim, you could bathe her lying down?

Either on a waterproof bed or a hammock?

Would she tolerate in this weather a hose?

Have you thought of taking her to a groomer that has a hydrotherapy bath. It might make her feel a bit better. They generally understand especially as you wont want her pulled about. - Its just a thought.

Mild hair conditioner?! Do a patch at a time?!

Hi Smokeybear, thanks for the reply. Unfortunately water and Tia no longer mix. Her back legs, hips etc. no longer tolerate getting wet at all. Over the last couple of years I have realised that when she has been allowed to swim or has been wet bathed she becomes immobile for a considerable time once she lays down and although she is on stronger medication now I am reluctant to try water on her as I cannot stand the look on her face when she can't get up off the floor.

You've got me thinking now, do you think a spray bottle of water misted over her might help?

Will she tolerate massage? I would recommend Quistel lotion, which you could massage in and leave in.

http://quistel.com/products/index.php?page=dog

Sorry lulusmum, I was typing as you were posting,lol, can't get her wet anymore I'm afraid