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DIARRHEA
Diarrhea
is uncommon at our kennel but it does occur. Although most
dogs never get diarrhea while being boarded, others get
it every time they are boarded. Occasionally a dog that
has had firm stools here will get diarrhea when he/she returns
home. What can cause this sudden onset of gastric distress?
Stress
Related Diarrhea: We believe that the most common
cause of diarrhea is “Stress.” This cause of
diarrhea most frequently occurs with dogs who have never
been boarded or who are infrequently boarded. The sudden
change in the dog’s routine causes them to stress
out and the result can be gastric distress. This is also
why dogs that have had firm stools here may develop diarrhea
when they return home. It is the change in environment
that causes the stress.
Dietary
Change: Another cause of diarrhea is due to a sudden
change in diet. This sudden dietary change is compounded
by the stress of being boarded and the result can be diarrhea.
This type of diarrhea can usually be avoided by providing
us with your dog’s food. Clients who feed a different
food than quality Iam’s products are recommended to
provide their dog’s food. Please see our page that
describes our Food Policy.
If diarrhea is noticed during boarding
your veterinarian will be contacted and treatment guidelines
will be followed. You will be informed of your veterinarian
recommended treatment at the time of checkout. If diarrhea
should occur after you return home be sure to tell your
veterinarian that your dog was recently boarded with us.
Given that the strict guidelines are followed for daily
cleaning and disinfecting of our kennel, it is unlikely
that the diarrhea is caused by something other than dietary
changes and stress.
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KENNEL
COUGH
It
is important that all clients are made aware that Kennel
Cough is present always in South West Michigan and
DOES NOT ORIGINATE IN A KENNEL.
We
absolutely WILL NOT allow dogs in our facility that are
coughing or showing signs of kennel cough. However, it may
be IMPOSSIBLE for us to tell when a boarder has been exposed
to kennel cough PRIOR to his/her arrival.
We
require that all dogs that enter our kennel have been properly
vaccinated and that the owners provide us with written proof.
Records must be updated annually.
Kennel
Cough, akin to a “doggy cold,” is a generic
term used to indicate canine infectious tracheobronchitis,
a highly infectious upper respiratory disease that is caused
from a number of bacteria such as Bordetella bronchiseptica,
and viruses such as canine parainfluenza. Coughing, sneezing,
and nasal discharge are common symptoms of kennel cough.
These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.
Since it is a viral infection, there is no "cure,"
just as there is no cure for the common cold. As a self-limiting
disease, it will go away on its own, just like any other
cold or flu. However, many veterinarians will prescribe
a cough suppressant or an antibiotic to prevent secondary
infections.
Kennel
cough is not "born" in the kennel, it can be (and
usually is) "caught" outside the kennel and brought
in by a boarder. A dog can be exposed at the park, grooming
shop, pet store, veterinary office, walking around the neighborhood,
or any place where dogs congregate or pass through. The
disease is not unique to a kennel, therefore; the more appropriate
term is CANINE COUGH. Unfortunately, canine cough usually
does not show visible symptoms for 5-7 days after exposure.
While we make intense efforts to prevent an outbreak in
our kennel through extensive cleaning and disinfecting,
public awareness, and by requiring vaccinations, we cannot
guarantee that your dog will not be exposed.
Just
as a child who attends school has the potential to contract
a cold or the flu, which is seasonal, a dog being boarded
also has the potential to contract canine cough, which is
also seasonal. When a child gets a cold or the flu parents
do not expect the school system to pay for treatment. Similarly,
if a dog gets canine cough in our kennel, you should not
expect us to cover the cost of treatment. Through our efforts,
the possibility of your dog’s exposure to canine cough
in our kennel is minimal, however; it is still possible.
Please be advised that if exposure to canine cough does
occur, the kennel will not be held liable for its treatment,
cost thereof, or consequences.
Again,
we make every effort to prevent an outbreak of canine cough!
All dogs are required to be up-to-date
on all vaccinations, including
Bordetella; therefore, CLIENTS
WHO BOARD THEIR DOGS WITH US DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK.
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FLEA
CONTROL
Because
our kennel and grounds are frequently treated with a variety
of dog-safe flea and tick control products, we have never
had a flea infestation on the premises. Therefore, it is
very unlikely that your dog will become infested with fleas
while being boarded at our kennel. However, it is still
possible. Please check for the presence of fleas before
you drop your dog off at our kennel and immediately after
you check your dog out.
In
addition, please tell us if your dog has
had a recent flea infestation so that we can check for the
reappearance of the parasite. We feel that it is extremely
important that we be notified if your dog was treated “dipped”
within a week of being boarded.
Although dips are a very effective treatment, they
only kill the fleas that are present when the dog is being
treated. All too frequently owners neglect to treat the
entire environment and re-infestation occurs. The point
is that if you treated your dog and did not treat your entire
environment, it is likely that your dog has become re-infested
and will need another treatment. If this occurs, we will
need to treat your dog as well as the entire kennel and
grounds. So PLEASE TELL US
IF YOUR DOG WAS RECENTLY INFESTED. Also,
please contact us immediately if you believe that your dog
became infested with fleas while being boarded with us.
We
also feel that it is an excellent idea that you use preventative
measures to help control for fleas. Please ask your veterinarian
about products such as Program or Sentinel. Return
to top
DOG
INJURIES AND ILLNESSES
If your
dog becomes ill or injured while being boarded with us we
will, at our sole discretion, engage the services of your
veterinarian. Any expenses incurred as a result of veterinarian
services must be paid at the time of check out. Please carefully
read our Injured Dog Policy.
While
we make every effort to ensure that our kennel is a safe
place for even the most exuberant dog, we will not be held
liable in the event that your dog injures itself. Please
carefully read our Destructive
Dog Policy.
GERIATRIC
DOGS
Over
the years we have had many clients who have boarded geriatric
dogs that are in failing health. In each situation we have
felt that it was important to ask the question, “What
do you want us to do if your dog should pass away?”
It would be an unfortunate situation if a geriatric dog
were to pass away while being boarded, however, it is a
real possibility. Should the situation arise we feel that
it is extremely important that we know exactly what the
owner wants us to do. Clients who board geriatric dogs must
provide us with precise information as to the procedure
to follow should their dog pass. Return to
top
ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS
We
will administer veterinarian prescribed medications to your
dog as part of our daily kennel routine. Specific provisions
have been made to accurately administer and record the passing
of meds. We will not charge extra for the single administration
of simple medications (e.g., passing a pill). However, should
your dog require more extensive medical care (e.g., ear
drops, eye drops, etc.), you will be charged .50 cents for
each administration. Return to top
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