All dogs boarded must have current vaccinations and present their vaccination card as proof of this. We will update our records and scan the card to be stored electronically.
The vaccinations you will need are:
We do not insist on the Kennel Cough vaccine but if you decide to vaccinate your dog for kennel cough there must be a minimum of 2 weeks from administering the vaccination to the day you are boarding.
Any dog suspected of kennel cough on drop of will not be accepted, if any symptoms develop during their stay they will be moved immediately to isolation
We cannot board your dog if it is not fully vaccinated.
There are four main diseases that your dog can be vaccinated against. These are:
Booster jabs for distemper, parvovirus and canine hepatitis (DHP) are usually needed every three years. Booster jabs for leptospirosis (L2 or L4) are needed every year.
Parvovirus – or parvo – is a highly contagious disease that causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea in dogs. It’s a very serious illness that can be deadly without treatment.
Canine distemper is a contagious virus that attacks a dog’s lymph nodes before attacking their respiratory, urinary, digestive and nervous systems. It is passed easily between dogs through saliva, blood and urine.
Distemper can also cause hardening of the footpads and nose, so is sometimes known as ‘hardpad’.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper and usually vets will try to manage the symptoms. Dogs with distemper need intensive care and are usually kept in isolation so they don’t spread the virus. Sadly, even with the right treatment, distemper can be fatal to many of the dogs that catch it.
Leptospirosis – also known as lepto – is a bacterial infection. It attacks your dog’s nervous system and organs. It can also be passed on from dogs to us – in humans it’s known as Weil’s disease.
Lepto is mainly carried by dogs and rats and spread through infected pee and contaminated water, which means your dog is at risk if they swim or drink from stagnant water or canals. Outbreaks of lepto increase after flooding, when there’s a lot of contaminated water around.
Another potential issue with leptospirosis is the fact that the disease is also contagious to people. The most common method of exposure for both dogs and people is through contact with infected urine.
There are vaccinations that provide protection against leptospirosis for dogs. In fact, there are several different types of vaccines available. Some of the vaccines only protect against two serovars (strains) of leptospirosis (L2) while others provide protection against four different serovars (L4). Though these four serovars account for a large percentage of the cases of leptospirosis seen.
In severe cases, dogs can develop kidney damage and liver failure. For dogs, the disease can be fatal even with the best treatment. Weil’s disease can also be fatal to humans.
The term 'kennel cough' is unfair and implies that the disease comes from kennels, but dogs are just as likely to be infected at shows and training classes even at the park, beach or woodlands.
Kennel cough is a very common and contagious disease mostly contracted by dogs, it is not contagious to humans. Your pet will be constantly hacking and coughing, sometimes spitting up bits of phlegm. Over exertion or excitement can trigger it and make it much worse, so limiting your dogs amount of exercise is recommended while suffering from kennel cough. An immediate vet check up followed by rest and relaxation is the best course of action to take.
It is an airbourne virus and can be compared to the human flu. In most cases kennel cough is not serious, and will only last up to a week or two. However, in more serious cases it can last up to several months, and can be extremely uncomfortable for your dog. It’s important to have your dog checked out as soon as it begins showing signs of kennel cough as it may be symptoms of another more serious condition your dog is suffering from.
The more time your dog spends around other dogs (at the park, boarding kennels, vets, grooming shops, dog parks, on the street, doggy daycare, pet shops, etc), the higher the risk of contracting kennel cough.
Some dogs will not display any symptoms whatsoever of kennel cough, but can still transmit it to others. This is why the more time your dog spends with other dogs, the higher the risk.
No. As part of your holiday planning you need to ensure that, if your dog’s vaccinations are due just prior to boarding OR during the boarding duration, you have them renewed at least a week prior to boarding (14 days for Kennel Cough).
If your vaccinations are out of date we will have to refuse to board your dog.
