Dog/Vet people Boarding Question WWYD?

[sweptaway]

We are on vacation next week and are boarding our two dogs (a pug and a pit mix) from Monday morning until Saturday morning. The facility requires canine influenza and bordetella vaccines. The kennel called me this morning to tell me that they had a recent report of a dog going home and shortly after developing a respiratory infection. The kennel contacted some local vets who have seen an uptick in this respiratory infection which is apparently not covered under either of the above mentioned vaccines. The kennel has had no animals symptomatic in their care and no other reports of illness, and are taking extra precautions and disinfecting measures. However, because viruses have incubation periods, they cannot say whether the dog was sick or contagious while in their care, or if other dogs may have been exposed.

I feel like this is a risk you take when boarding and probably not something I'm going to cancel my vacation over, which, at this point, is probably the only other option. What do vet people or other people with experience boarding dogs (this is our first time) think. Is this par for the course or something to be concerned about? 

[brux]

give me your pug for the week and I'll keep it forever.

[brux]

I would call your vet to ask their opinion. Depending on what they say, I would most likely still board my dogs.

That being said, boarding dogs can be an interesting ball of wax. I've had really good experiences and really terrible ones. The next dog we get, I'm going to work hard to cultivate relationships with dog sitters. I joined Rover.com, which is kind of like Care.com but for pets.

[elodin]

Call your vet and see what they say, but...
As long as they are disinfecting everything I'd still board my dogs. I wouldn't cancel my vacation over something like that. Chances are your dogs will be fine.

[sheilathetank]

I feel this is the same risk as sending your child to daycare when another child there was sick. As long as the dog isn't immunocompromised and they are taking proper disinfection measures then it should be fine.

[billyhorrible]

The fact that they're contacting you ahead of time and contacting local vets is actually kind of impressive to me. They sound really proactive. I'm guessing that they're also taking extraordinary measures within the facilities too, which would make me more comfortable with boarding there.

[Pistol]

Sept 6, 2018 9:45:54 GMT -6 sheilathetank said:

I feel this is the same risk as sending your child to daycare when another child there was sick. As long as the dog isn't immunocompromised and they are taking proper disinfection measures then it should be fine.

This was my exact thoughts exactly.

[sweptaway]

Thanks guys- I was going to call the vet and get their opinion. I would hate for either pup to get sick and I am impressed that the facility is risking losing business to give us this information.

[sweptaway]

Sept 6, 2018 9:24:59 GMT -6 brux said:

give me your pug for the week and I'll keep it forever.

If i thought she'd survive the plane ride I would- probably cheaper than boarding her

[Pistol]

Sept 6, 2018 10:02:35 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

Sept 6, 2018 9:24:59 GMT -6 brux said:

give me your pug for the week and I'll keep it forever.

If i thought she'd survive the plane ride I would- probably cheaper than boarding her

Boarding is $$$

[McBenny]

I would talk to your vet.

[Pizzaslut]

The most expensive part of our vacation last week was boarding the dog. I should point out that my parents paid for the condo.

Anyway, I agree that you should talk to your vet. I know nothing about respiratory illnesses in dogs, so I would want more information.

[Pistol]

Sept 6, 2018 10:19:29 GMT -6 Pizzaslut said:

The most expensive part of our vacation last week was boarding the dog. I should point out that my parents paid for the condo.

Anyway, I agree that you should talk to your vet. I know nothing about respiratory illnesses in dogs, so I would want more information.

Not counting the cost of Morgan’s check up and meds for the dogs that we discovered they needed due to boarding, just the boarding itself was half of our hotel room cost. When you figure 2 dogs vs 4 people it came out to the same cost per body for everyone. I was annoyed. I’m glad we discovered the things we did so we could treat them but I was also annoyed my cousin backed out last minute on dog sitting and we ended up with an $800+ (total) bill in the end.

[Deleted]

If you’re vet isn’t comfortable with them being boarded could you find someone who can check up on them a few times a day. When we went on vacation it was going to require us to get shots for the dog and tobus it wasn’t worth the cost just to board her the one time. We ended up having a girl we know come three times a day to check on her and let her out.

[sweptaway]

Sept 6, 2018 10:48:24 GMT -6 Pistol said:

Sept 6, 2018 10:19:29 GMT -6 Pizzaslut said:

The most expensive part of our vacation last week was boarding the dog. I should point out that my parents paid for the condo.

Anyway, I agree that you should talk to your vet. I know nothing about respiratory illnesses in dogs, so I would want more information.

Not counting the cost of Morgan’s check up and meds for the dogs that we discovered they needed due to boarding, just the boarding itself was half of our hotel room cost. When you figure 2 dogs vs 4 people it came out to the same cost per body for everyone. I was annoyed. I’m glad we discovered the things we did so we could treat them but I was also annoyed my cousin backed out last minute on dog sitting and we ended up with an $800+ (total) bill in the end.

Ugh yes we had to take them to the vet to get some shots updated for boarding- all together it is absolutely much more than our hotel.

[sweptaway]

Sept 6, 2018 10:54:34 GMT -6 kbw said:

If you’re vet isn’t comfortable with them being boarded could you find someone who can check up on them a few times a day. When we went on vacation it was going to require us to get shots for the dog and tobus it wasn’t worth the cost just to board her the one time. We ended up having a girl we know come three times a day to check on her and let her out.

Trust that if we had that option we never would have looked at boarding in the first place. We have no people  

[koritto]

It maybe late for this trip but you can always look for local dog sitting companies. We’ve had great luck with 3 different companies in 2 states. All locally owned and operated (not rover.com though I have no experience with them).

Cost has ranged from $17-$25 dollars a day (regional costs vary I’m sure). They come 3x a day, check the mail, water plants, do the blinds and lights and set the alarm. We have usually been given the same sitter each time and build a great relationship. Our sitter in MI came to say bye and brought us cookies before we put our oldest to sleep. The convenience of no pick up and drop up is wonderful and ours prefers to be home. They spend 25-30 minutes here each visit.

[thechickencoop]

If they're not the type to get SUPER STRESSED while boarding, I'd still just board them. The canine influenza vaccine is just a joke anyway, I don't think we've seen a case here but a lot of places require it ::eyeroll::

FWIW my parents use Rover and have had excellent experiences. You might still be able to find something last minute or at least keep it in mind for next time 🤷‍♀️