This past week has been one of most difficult week's to endure since I opened for business on 22 Sep 2011! Unfortunately I had several dogs come down with the BORDETELLA virus((also known as Kennel Cough)). I am not sure which dog introduced it into the house hold, however, I spent several trips and lost of income down the drain at the vets office. It was so stressful, that I endured severe chest pains for 3 days before they finally tamed down a bit. I did NOT go to the doctor because I was too busy going back and forth to the vets with the dogs! As an additional stress, one of my ferrets became ill during the same week((unrelated to the kennel cough)) and had to visit the vet, not once, but twice before "we" seemed to start the correct meds in the correct direction of healing. In addition, a separate dog went home over-stressed which caused her to have diarrhea-which took a few days to recover from. This is totally opposite from what my intentions are in my home environment boarding!!! Oh, yea, did I mention MY dog not only had to see the vet for kennel cough, she also had a distended tummy to boot. Thank GOD it was only gas buildup and nothing more serious. WHEW!!!!
Things I have learned from this experience:
- When people say, including myself, that their dogs are up to date on shots, this does NOT mean they have received the BORDETELLA vaccine because this vaccine has to be requested separately. REALLY?
- Unfortunately I can no longer avoid telling my customers they MUST provide a copy of updated shots, INCLUDING BORDETELLA, before I can accept their dogs at the home.
-I did not know I was allowed to obtain industrial strength type disinfectants specifically designed for kennels to help reduce, kill, and control exposure to viruses between dogs. NOW I KNOW and I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THIS ON HAND. I have been using bleach water to the point that my hands have become red, raw, swollen, inflamed, and "bleached" burned.
-In the future, I will NOT pay for everyone's vet bill, unless it is PROVEN that I purposely was neglectful in my duties to PREVENT the spread of any illness/viruses.
-This incident will NOT be the last time I go through this. According to the vet, since BORDETELLA is so contagious, and the dogs can pick it up/spread it from ANYWHERE, I will surely face this situation again as long as I receive many dogs ((which I do)) in a boarding environment. I will just be better "equipped" to manage what to do.
-BORDETELLA is ALREADY dormant in most dogs from the get go. It "surfaces" or "manifests" when stress triggers it((from various reasons)). The virus is NOT deadly unless the dog's immune system is so poor, that the condition turns into a serious respiratory problem. Most of the time, the dog will get over the symptoms without intervention; however, in a boarding type environment, it is best to place all dogs that show signs on medications to help them get over the condition more quickly.
SUMMARY: This has been a very expensive, hard lesson to learn. But it IS a lesson our LORD GOD wanted me to endure. To be better educated, prepared, and wiser to any future endeavors such as this.
FINALLY, if "YOU" read this, PLEASE pass on this valuable information to others from MY mistakes and learning process in hopes that more people will be aware when doing boarding, or just great information in general. GOD BLESS ALL.
Thanks
Tina Bailey
EverythingFurryPlus, LLC
Things I have learned from this experience:
- When people say, including myself, that their dogs are up to date on shots, this does NOT mean they have received the BORDETELLA vaccine because this vaccine has to be requested separately. REALLY?
- Unfortunately I can no longer avoid telling my customers they MUST provide a copy of updated shots, INCLUDING BORDETELLA, before I can accept their dogs at the home.
-I did not know I was allowed to obtain industrial strength type disinfectants specifically designed for kennels to help reduce, kill, and control exposure to viruses between dogs. NOW I KNOW and I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THIS ON HAND. I have been using bleach water to the point that my hands have become red, raw, swollen, inflamed, and "bleached" burned.
-In the future, I will NOT pay for everyone's vet bill, unless it is PROVEN that I purposely was neglectful in my duties to PREVENT the spread of any illness/viruses.
-This incident will NOT be the last time I go through this. According to the vet, since BORDETELLA is so contagious, and the dogs can pick it up/spread it from ANYWHERE, I will surely face this situation again as long as I receive many dogs ((which I do)) in a boarding environment. I will just be better "equipped" to manage what to do.
-BORDETELLA is ALREADY dormant in most dogs from the get go. It "surfaces" or "manifests" when stress triggers it((from various reasons)). The virus is NOT deadly unless the dog's immune system is so poor, that the condition turns into a serious respiratory problem. Most of the time, the dog will get over the symptoms without intervention; however, in a boarding type environment, it is best to place all dogs that show signs on medications to help them get over the condition more quickly.
SUMMARY: This has been a very expensive, hard lesson to learn. But it IS a lesson our LORD GOD wanted me to endure. To be better educated, prepared, and wiser to any future endeavors such as this.
FINALLY, if "YOU" read this, PLEASE pass on this valuable information to others from MY mistakes and learning process in hopes that more people will be aware when doing boarding, or just great information in general. GOD BLESS ALL.
Thanks
Tina Bailey
EverythingFurryPlus, LLC