Grooming Gave Me More Time

How Grooming Gave Me More Time with My Heart Dog 

Sage's 12th Birthday

Last June, my worst fear became reality. My heart dog, Sage, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. But do you know how we found it?

Not through symptoms. In fact, she had her senior panels, including full bloodwork, done within the year. Everything came back normal. No signs of cancer. I didn't even know that was possible.

We found it during her grooming. Right here at FPC.

She was in the bath, getting a routine anal gland check, when something felt off. There was no visible lump, no obvious symptom. Just a subtle hardening that didn’t feel right. Thinking it might be an impaction, I got her into the vet within 48 hours. And that’s when I heard the word no pet parent ever wants to hear. Cancer.

Because it was caught so early, Sage was able to undergo extensive surgery at Mizzou. While the cancer has since returned, it’s small. Because of that early detection, I’ve had nearly a year and counting of extra time with my girl. Time I may not have had if we hadn’t caught it before it was too late.

But Sage isn’t the only one. At FPC, we’ve discovered infections, tumors, broken tails, and other hidden health issues. All during routine grooming.

Grooming isn’t just about keeping dogs looking and smelling good. It’s about knowing them. It’s about trained hands noticing changes in skin, lumps that weren’t there before, infections hiding beneath the fur. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) even emphasizes how regular grooming can help detect early signs of illness.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Does my dog really need regular grooming?” this is your answer. Because sometimes, a bath isn’t just a bath. Sometimes, it’s the reason you get more time.