skin infection

Question
My dog is part golden retriever and part cocker spaniel. He is 11 years old. He has been groomed all of his life and recently(6months ago) contracted a bacterial infection on his chest area. My vet gave me a couple options in which on of these were from dirty clippers. He has gone for 5 months without this infection, and last week he was groomed and is infected again. Could it be from unclean groomer?

Answer
Hi Debbie.  I hate to point a finger at anyone, or possibly hurt your relationship with your groomer, but I have to agree with your vet and say that your retriever's bacterial infection is probably caused by unclean clippers.

If grooming equipment (such as clippers, scissors, etc) pass from one dog to another without being properly cleaned/disinfected, infections can be transmitted from one dog to another.

You wrote that your dog has been groomed all his life.  Have you always used the same groomer?  

Good Luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.  Sincerely, Penny D.