At R&G Pet Spa, we strive to keep up to date with the most current information regarding pet health and pet grooming, so that we can incorporate it into our procedures and grooming services. We prefer to take an approach on pet handling/grooming services that is minimally invasive, which means that we prefer to let your pets body work as it should naturally if possible, keeping their overall health in mind. We prefer to work together with our clients and their pet's heath care professionals as a part of your pet's overall care team to ensure that they are receiving everything they need while being groomed with us. Therefore, we prefer that our clients speak with their veterinarians regarding ear plucking, and anal gland expression. These services have generally been common practice in dog grooming, but in recent years more veterinarians and pet care professionals have found these practices to be unnecessary, and sometimes damaging. Please consult with your veterinarian regarding ear plucking and anal gland expression. R&G Pet Spa only performs external gland expression and recommend that you take your dog or cat to the veterinarian if they have had impacted, infected or burst anal glands in the past. We will not express a pet's anal glands if we feel the pet is experiencing pain, discomfort or if we feel they require medical attention. R&G will also hold off from cleaning and or plucking a pet's ears if there is a suspicion of infection and may refer you to seek veterinary attention. Ear Plucking - Some long-coated breeds of dogs grow fur inside of their ear canal, such as Poodles, Maltese, Shih-tzus, Doodles and similar type dogs. It has been a common practice among pet groomers to remove this hair, to improve air circulation and ear health. Anal Gland Expression - Both dogs and cats have anal glands on both sides of the anus. Usually, they excrete a small amount of stinky fluid when a dog or cat poops. It has been common practice among pet groomers over the years to express these glands in an attempt to clean them out and release any pent-up fluid or potential accumulation of bacteria.