top of page

HEALTH INFORMATION FOR DOG DAYCARE & BOARDING

 

Just like human kids in school or daycare, dogs in doggy daycare and boarding environments are susceptible to injuries and whatever bug is going around. While we take every effort to avoid it, the occasional illness and injury may occur. 

While standard vaccines do prevent the most serious diseases, large gatherings of canines will come up with the occasional case of Bordetella (Kennel Cough), Giardia, or Coccidia. Your dog is at an increased risk of catching communicable canine ailments when socializing with other dogs. We are diligent in minimizing health and safety risks, but it’s important for clients to understand some of the inherent risks.

Bordetella, or Kennel Cough, is the most common health issue in Doggy Daycare & Boarding. Bordetella is the canine version of the common cold. Symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose, and/or sneezing, along with a pronounced cough. Bordetella is an airborne virus that your dog can catch at the dog park, daycare, walking around the neighborhood, or even at your veterinarian’s office. We do require daycare and boarding dogs to have Kennel Cough vaccinations, but like a human flu shot, the vaccine is not 100% effective. For more information regarding kennel cough, please click here

Giardia and coccidia are intestinal parasites that may cause diarrhea or vomiting. Dogs can get these parasites from contact with the feces of infected animals (domestic or wild) or from contact with contaminated standing water. The parasites can be spread at daycare and boarding when dogs inspect each other’s rear ends or if they have direct contact with other dogs' poop.

Giardia can cause severe dehydration which further weakens your dog’s ability to fight the parasite. If your dog has vomiting and diarrhea, take him to your veterinarian’s office immediately. Coccidia causes similar, but less severe, symptoms. Most dogs recover quickly with prompt medical attention.

Dogs can get worms (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, etc) in the same way they can get giardia or coccidia. Pampered Pets Resort is diligent about quickly cleaning up dog waste and if we see that a dog has worms, we will isolate the dog and contact the client to let them know. Once wormed, a dog should stay home for at least a week to give the dead parasites time to work their way out of the dog’s system. If your pooch seems to be a bit under the weather, please keep him home and seek veterinary attention if symptoms persist. It is not fair to expose your dog’s playmates to potential health issues.

Injuries can also sometimes occur at daycare and socialized boarding. Any open play with a group of dogs can be a very active and interactive environment for your dog. Many of our dogs enjoy rough and tumble play; although we do break up play that gets too rough, the dogs can get pretty rambunctious. Dogs use their teeth like we use our hands; they grab each other by the neck and nibble, steal toys, run, and play with one another. Minor injuries such as nicks, cuts, scrapes, missing hair and strained muscles do happen. Additionally, dogs do have disagreements from time to time, and fighting is a possibility. The staff is trained to break up any dog fights that may occur. 

We believe the benefits of dog daycare far surpass the possible risks. We are diligent about quickly cleaning up dog waste and we sanitize our facility daily. We are quick to interrupt inappropriate social behavior and overly rough play. However, please be aware that your dog is at an increased risk of catching contagious canine illnesses and getting minor injuries when socializing with other dogs. This is a risk you must be willing to accept if you want your dog to play in this environment. The staff is trained to anticipate a problem and break up a serious fight quickly. If your dog causes an injury to another dog or staff, you are financially responsible for that injury. If there was no incident and your dog was injured during play, you are financially responsible for that injury. We will call you immediately if your dog is sick or injured, and if your dog is sick, please keep them home.

bottom of page