Shaved Keeshond Care – Looking for post-shave care tips and reassurance!
Hi everyone,
I’m incredibly heartbroken and stressed right now and could really use some advice and reassurance from fellow Keeshond owners.
I had to travel heavily this past month for work, and while Mowgli was with a sitter, his coat didn't get the rigorous daily brushing a Keeshond needs. I noticed some severe matting around his neck and backend, so I took him to a professional groomer today to address it.
The groomer called to let me know the mats were too close to the skin to brush out painlessly and suggested shaving "parts of him," promising it would be done uniformly so he wouldn't look strange. Unfortunately, there was a major communication breakdown. When I went to pick him up, he had been completely shaved down (except for his head and tail).
I am absolutely devastated. I know the risks of shaving a double-coated breed, especially with the summer heat around the corner here in NY. I am already taking strict precautions—keeping the AC on full blast, limiting our daytime walks to short bathroom breaks in the shade, and keeping him protected from the sun.
My absolute top priority right now is making sure he is safe, healthy, and comfortable. If anyone else has gone through an emergency shave with their Keeshond, I would love your insight on a few things:
Has any of you been in this situation above? If yes:
- What is the best way to protect his exposed skin and keep him safe from heatstroke or sunburn right now? Are there specific lightweight UV clothing brands or pet-safe sunscreens you swear by?
- How can I make him physically comfortable? I want to make sure his skin doesn't get irritated or itchy as it starts to sprout stubble.
- How long did it take for the guard hairs and undercoat to balance back out? Are there any specific skin supplements (like fish oil) you recommend to help the coat grow back healthy?
Please go easy on me—I already feel terrible about this situation, and seeing him like this is incredibly stressful. Trust me, this doesn’t represent how well I care for my dogs. I just want to focus on protecting him and helping him get through the summer comfortably.
Thank you so much.