Below is some info listed on handout we keep on the front desk.

What can YOU do?

• PLEASE....let us know if you think your dog shared or picked up a virus while here.  Do not assume we are aware of a virus.  The sooner we know, the sooner we can quarantine and help stop the spread - we'd rather take a bunch of extra calls/texts then get none at all and then have more dogs inadvertently exposed.  Knowing exactly which dog(s) have it will help us pinpoint which building is effected.
• If you are bringing your dog for boarding and suspect they have been exposed elsewhere and/or are showing symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, do not bring them out - look for someone who may be able to come to your home for you.  This will help decrease the spread to any facility.
• Remember, viruses can be easily spread - you may pet someone's dog at the pet store and unknowingly bring a virus home with you on your hands/clothing.  Or you may take it from your dog to a neighbor's, etc.
• Understand that this is an assumed risk whenever you board your dog or have your dog coming in contact with other dogs.  We take our pet care very seriously and make every effort to avoid contributing to a virus's spread.
• If you are contacting your Vet about your dog's symptoms, they will likely not want to see your dog within the facility - they may check your dog in your car or simply prescribe medication.  Again, this helps prevent the virus from getting into their facility.  They may even ask if your dog has been to our facility and when.  We're not offended, we understand that we sometimes have the largest congregation of dogs in the area and can be a good gauge for what's happening with those viruses - keeping everyone in the loop is the quickest way to stay on top of anything going around.

Information on Viruses, Parasites and Fungal Infections

Much like the respiratory viruses, dogs congregating in one area increases the opportunity for them to share their "germs". Because dogs will shed viruses without symptoms, we have no way of knowing who may be bringing something along with them to the kennel until others start showing signs.

We exercise the dogs 3-4 times a day in shared yards.  This is great for them, they get to run off-leash, sniff and have a good time.  But, even with us regularly scooping yards, it does allow them contact with other dogs feces.  And this is another opportunity to share the unwanted things.

As with other viruses, we quarantine the dogs/buildings affected.  

Thankfully this is not a virus we have encountered often, but again, it is more likely to show up during the peak boarding times.  Please let us know if your pet is exhibiting signs or has been diagnosed with Coronavirus.

Upper Respiratory Viruses

Parasites

Coronavirus (Intestinal)

Welcome to Honey Creek!

Fungal Infections

Keeping your pet on a regular preventative, getting a fecal sample check at the annual exam will help reduce your pet's likelihood of getting or carrying one of these parasites. 

We will treat a pet who comes in with fleas.

If we see worms (round or tape worms) in a dog's stool we will inform the owner.

See the links above to research more information about canine parasites.

What do WE do?

• We use an animal/kennel specific cleaner and disinfectant for all buildings - kennels, walkways, walls, fencing, etc. - that kills viruses, diseases, and fungus.
• During our peak boarding times we do not move dogs from one building to another.  This precaution helps potential cross-over contamination since we have no idea when someone might bring a virus out with them but we acknowledge that it's more likely to happen during these times.
• When the weather allows we open buildings up to get fresh air to circulate.  We use UV air purifiers as well.  Furnace filters are changed weekly.
• We assign our kennel helpers to certain buildings so we reduce our own potential of spreading the virus on ourselves.  Washing hands regularly, cleaning off shoes, etc help as well.
• When we are made aware of a virus making it out to our place, we quarantine the affected building/dogs.  That means that new incoming dogs, that we presume are not carrying/exposed, are not put into those affected building(s).  Once those dogs have all left, we do extra deep sanitizing and let the building and the connected dog exercise yards sit without dogs for a time.  That doesn't mean a new dog couldn't bring it right back out again, but we do our part on the property.
• We always leave out our handouts at the desk, but still let folks know if their dog may have been exposed, may be showing signs or just a general heads-up that it's going around town and we're taking every precaution we can.  If we are seeing symptoms while here, we'll give the owner notice.  If a dog is having symptoms that are more severe or we have other health concerns then we will contact their regular Vet for direction.

Just like kids in a daycare or people sitting together on an airplane, the opportunity for dogs to share "germs" is better when they are congregating - be it here, at a groomer, Vet's office, doggie daycare or dog park.  So, a virus outbreak is not exclusive to our kennel. Boarding is a seasonal business, with our busiest times being summer vacation season and major holidays, so it is during these times that we're most likely to see an outbreak since more dogs will be congregating.  

Due to the incubation period and that dogs can carry viruses without showing symptoms, there is no way of knowing if a dog that appears normal and healthy is carrying a virus - and the owner may not know either.  For example, we can have an infected dog (unbeknownst to us) come in for just a day or two, shed the virus, and leave.  Then more dogs overlap each other continue to share the virus until enough time as passed for someone to eventually start showing symptoms.

A lot of folks assume that we know something is going around when in fact we do not.  If we haven't heard from clients or Veterinarians letting us know, it could take weeks before we'll see a dog(s) showing symptoms while staying here.  

While there are several types of fungal infections that can affect pets. Ringworm is the one that most people thing of since it can be spread between species - including us.  

Our disinfectant is a fungicide, so our kennel spaces are taken care of.  Unless there is an obvious, hair-free lesion, we will be unable to tell if a pet has ringworm.  Dogs  and cats with ringworm are not allowed to board until cleared by a Veterinarian.

Incubation is generally 7-10 days and treatment through your Veterinarian is generally required.  Ringworm is not necessarily hardy out in the environment but can be picked up in the soil, not just from contact with other animals.

See the links above for more information.

One of the biggest worries and frustrations for any business that takes care of pets (dogs especially) is dealing with viruses for which there are limited or no vaccines available.  Parasites and fungal infections can factor into this occasionally too. 

We have created this page to help address the viruses, parasites, etc. themselves. But also to explain what we do to try to prevent exposure and our protocols for when a viruses makes its way out to us.  Please feel free to read over the information and the links we have provided for more information. 

PLEASE NOTE: The following information is not intended to be a diagnosis or directive for treatment, rather an educational outreach. Contact your Veterinarian if you have questions or concerns about your pet's health.

Links for more info:

Our handout (also on the forms page)

All pet health topics:

AVMA  American Veterinarian Medical Association

Veterinary Pet Partners