How to talk to your clients about medicated shampoo

Medicated shampoos are an excellent tool if used correctly. Unfortunately, many owners do not understand how to use prescribed shampoos properly and are not given much explanation. Why do we describe in detail the use of oral medications but often do not explain as much about how to perform topical treatments? When it comes to client education, topical and oral prescriptions should be handled with the same level of attention.

For the pet owner compliance with medicated baths, it is helpful to first explain why this particular shampoo is advised. Do this by mentioning the specific ingredients in the prescribed shampoo that will help with their pet’s particular condition – if these ingredients are also available in over-the-counter shampoos at pet stores, try referring to the higher concentrations of active ingredients in the prescribed product. This will motivate the client’s compliance by creating understanding about the value in the product and how it will help manage the particular condition.

Figure out whom in your veterinary team will explain to owners exactly how to use shampoos and other topicals – will it be your reception team, your room technicians, or the veterinarian themselves? It is probably easiest to have this person be whoever already explains the use and warnings of oral prescriptions. Additional measures can be considered too, such as using specialized prescription stickers or having client handouts on how to use the shampoo. 

 Ultimately, the owner needs to understand that using medicated shampoos requires a particular process. Here are some of the key points to cover:

•  Medicated shampoos usually do not create a lot of suds. This is normal for many medicated shampoos – lack of suds does not mean the product is expired or defective. 

• They will need to lather thoroughly, massaging the product into the fur so that it penetrates down to the skin. 

• Once the shampoo is thoroughly applied, it will have to sit for at least several minutes before rinsing. Refer to the bottle, as it will often say how long is necessary for a particular shampoo. 

Adopting a few new strategies and communicating these points to pet owners will help ensure prescribed medicated shampoos are used properly and with good compliance.