Medical Grooming for Dogs and Cats
Some grooming needs go beyond what a standard groomer can handle. Atlas Animal Hospital provides veterinary-supervised medical grooming for dogs and cats in Vancouver, including medicated baths, dematting, sedated nail trims, and sedated shaves. Our 24/7 availability ensures your pet can receive care whenever needed, especially for pets who are anxious, elderly, or managing skin conditions. Every service is performed in our veterinary facility with access to sedation, pain management, and diagnostic tools. Something a standard grooming salon cannot offer.
Medicated Bath for Dogs and Cats
Medicated baths are used to address flea and tick infestations, skin infections, and post-surgical hygiene needs. Our veterinary team selects the appropriate medicated product based on your pet's condition and applies it under controlled conditions. Medicated baths are available for both dogs and cats, and our team monitors your pet throughout the process. We select the appropriate medicated product, whether antifungal, antibacterial, or antiparasitic, based on the specific condition being addressed. Medicated baths may be recommended as a standalone service or as part of a broader dermatological care plan developed by our veterinary team. Multiple sessions may be scheduled for persistent conditions. For pets with recurring flea or tick issues, we may recommend a series of medicated baths spaced over several weeks to break the parasite life cycle completely.
Dematting Services
Severe matting in dogs and cats can cause skin irritation, restricted movement, and hidden wounds. Our veterinary team carefully removes mats using specialized tools, assessing the skin beneath for signs of infection or injury. For pets with extensive matting, sedation may be recommended to ensure a safe and stress-free experience. Matting is especially common in long-haired breeds of both dogs and cats, and in senior pets who have difficulty self-grooming. We approach every dematting case with patience and a focus on your pet's comfort. Post-grooming, we provide guidance on coat maintenance to help prevent future matting between visits. In severe cases, we may recommend a full sedated shave followed by a medicated bath to address both matting and underlying skin issues simultaneously.
Sedated Nail Trim
For pets who experience significant anxiety or aggression during nail trims, sedation ensures a safe and comfortable experience. We administer mild sedation under veterinary supervision, trim the nails efficiently, and monitor your pet through recovery. This option is ideal for pets that cannot tolerate standard nail trimming. Sedation also allows us to inspect the paw pads, nail beds, and dewclaws more thoroughly, catching issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Recovery from mild sedation is typically quick, with most pets alert and ready to go home within an hour. We recommend sedated nail trims for pets with a history of nail trim anxiety, those with overgrown or ingrown nails, and pets who are difficult to restrain safely.
Sedated Shave
A sedated shave is recommended for dogs and cats with severely matted coats, skin conditions requiring close clipping, or extreme grooming anxiety. The procedure is performed under veterinary-supervised sedation, allowing thorough grooming without stress. We assess the skin during the shave and address any underlying issues discovered. The sedated shave is not a cosmetic grooming service. It is a medical intervention performed when standard grooming is unsafe or impractical for the pet. We assess the skin for hot spots, wounds, or parasites during the shave and address any findings immediately. This service is available for both dogs and cats of all sizes and coat types.
FAQs
Book a medical grooming session for your pet. Call Atlas Animal Hospital at (604) 301-0300. Open 24/7.