First aid:
If your pet requires veterinary/nursing care for but not limited to: vomiting, diarrhea, cut, hot spot, or torn nail they will be treated here (usually at no cost to you, unless supplies had to be purchased). If symptoms don't resolve or it is serious, your pet will seek medical attention at your designated vet if available. If your vet is not able to see your pet, he will be brought to another animal hospital. You will not be contacted for a bout of vomiting, diarrhea, or other minor illness. You are only contacted if there is a medical emergency (requiring a doctor’s visit).
Scratches/Bumps/Scrapes:
On occasion dogs can get scratches/bumps/scrapes while playing with other dogs. Sometimes a dog has gotten scratches on his nose from playing with a canine buddy. This is what happens when dogs play. The dogs who would just rather sit on a couch and be with people are not prone to this. Think about when you went playing with the kids in the neighborhood and came home with a scraped knee and a cut or two. These usually are just cosmetic.
Contagious diseases/illnesses:
All pets are susceptible to disease. It is kept at a minimum since this is not a kennel, only a small number of pets stay here, and we have the time and experience to watch out for “suspect” pets. To this date, no pet has caught a contagious disease here. Just as children catch colds, the flu, head lice at school, daycare and camp, so can your pet. It is a requirement that your pet be on Frontline or Advantix to prevent the spread of fleas, ticks and other external parasites. Your dog is required to be on a heartworm preventative to prevent the spread of heartworm and intestinal parasites. It is still possible for your pet to get any of the past mentioned illnesses/diseases. Your pet can also “catch” kennel cough (bordetella, parainfluenza, canine influenza) and other contagious diseases. I have heard all too often that owners don’t want to place their pets in a kennel because they’ll catch kennel cough. It is still possible in a smaller setting. Just as toddlers catch many more colds in daycare they also catch them at home. If you think your pet has “caught” something here, please call me to alert me, so I can alert other owners. Unfortunately you can not be reimbursed for any vet bills incurred from a contagious disease such as but not limited to: kennel cough, intestinal parasites. Just as you would not expect a daycare center to reimburse you for doctors bills for your child’s bout of the flu. Please note that conjunctivitis is not contagious in the canine. Conjunctivitis in humans is called “pink eye“, which is contagious.
Small breed dog owners:
Besides being up to date on vaccinations, your dog needs to get along with all dogs. Small dogs are not separated from large dogs. Small dogs tend to be the toughest ones. Very active small dogs are more appropriate with active large dogs than a timid small dog. No dog has been "squashed" by a large dog. If your small dog is timid/shy at first, a large dog won't bother with him. My dog is smaller than any dog who has ever come here (3.1 pounds), she has never been injured by another dog. If you have concerns about your small dog and large dogs and need him separated- this is not the place for your pet.
Inappetance:
If your dog is not eating well or is prone to not eating well in new situations, I will try to encourage him with warmed food and a little of canned Solid Gold or table food such as cheese or a meat. Usually dogs do quite well with this method. I can only heat your cat’s food. I do not want to add a new food to your cat’s diet. Cat’s stomach’s are more sensitive.
Breedism, Dangerous Dog, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers:
What ever you want to call it- I do not discriminate against the "bad" breeds or what people think are the bad breeds. Every dog is interviewed. At times I tell an owner that their dog is not allowed back because of aggression. The three dogs that have been barred from returning were a Labrador and 2 Goldens, surprise the nice breeds. Every dog is to be judged by their actions, not their breed.
Collars:
Your dog must wear a collar or harness at all times. If your pet is crated, we can remove the collar if it is a concern to you. It must be either a choker collar or click buckle type in order for it to be removed during crating. If your dog has a medical reason that he or she can’t wear a collar or harness, then we are not an appropriate place for your pet.
