What must you obtain before grooming a pet with heartworms?

• A. Decline until you receive verbal or written consent from the treating vet that the pet is healthy enough to groom.
• B. Groom with extra caution, no vet consent required.
• C. Wait for the owner to obtain consent.
• D. Proceed if the owner agrees to a shortened service.

Answer: (A)

Medical safety and veterinary clearance are essential before grooming a pet with heartworms. Heartworm disease can compromise a pet’s health and how it handles stress, heat, or any sedation used during grooming. Because of these risks, a groomer should not proceed until there is explicit approval from the pet’s treating veterinarian that the animal is healthy enough to tolerate grooming. Verbal or written vet consent ensures the request is evaluated by a clinician who understands the pet’s condition and can confirm it’s safe to groom.

Other options don’t provide the necessary medical confirmation. Waiting for owner consent alone doesn’t guarantee the pet has veterinary clearance, and proceeding with extra caution, a shortened service, or without formal vet approval could still expose the animal to harm and violate safety policies.