Medical grooming at Alpha Animal Hospital in Abbotsford provides safe, professional grooming services for dogs and cats who require veterinary oversight. Our medical grooming services are performed by our veterinary team and include sedated nail trims, dematting, and sedated shave procedures. These services are particularly appropriate for anxious pets, those with underlying health conditions, or animals whose coats have become severely matted and require careful management. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
For pets who are extremely anxious, painful, or aggressive during nail trims, a sedated nail trim provides a safe and stress-free alternative. Sedation allows our team to trim your pet's nails thoroughly and safely, without causing distress or risking injury to your pet or our staff. This service is appropriate for both dogs and cats. We will perform a brief pre-sedation health assessment before the procedure and monitor your pet's recovery before they return home with you.
Severe matting in dogs and cats can cause significant discomfort and, in extreme cases, skin damage and infection beneath the mats. Mats that are close to the skin, covering large areas, or in sensitive locations such as the groin or armpits often require veterinary attention rather than general grooming. Our team is experienced in dematting procedures for both dogs and cats, and we use appropriate sedation when the extent of the matting makes this the safest approach for your pet. We never restrict dematting to a single species, as both dogs and cats can develop severe matting requiring veterinary care.
A sedated shave is appropriate for pets whose coats have become severely matted to the point that dematting alone is not possible or would cause significant pain. In these cases, shaving the coat under sedation is the safest and most humane option for your pet. This is performed by our veterinary team for both dogs and cats. Sedation allows us to complete the procedure safely, keep your pet calm, and monitor their wellbeing throughout. After the shave, our team can advise you on coat care as the coat grows back and strategies to prevent matting in the future.
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If your pet becomes severely anxious, aggressive, or difficult to restrain during nail trims, a sedated nail trim may be the safest option. Signs that a routine nail trim is not possible without distress include biting, screaming, extreme trembling, or a history of injury to the pet or the person trimming. Contact us to discuss your pet’s specific situation.
Sedation can be safely performed on older pets with appropriate precautions. We perform a health assessment before any sedation procedure and may recommend pre-sedation bloodwork for senior patients to assess their current health status. Our team will discuss the approach and any specific considerations for your pet’s age and health before proceeding.
In some cases, mild matting can be addressed without sedation. However, severe or widespread matting, mats in sensitive areas, or mats in a pet who is fearful or painful typically require sedation for the safety of both the patient and our team. We will assess your pet on arrival and discuss the most appropriate approach.
Book a medical grooming appointment for your dog or cat at Alpha Animal Hospital in Abbotsford. Call (604) 859-6322, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Online booking is also available.
