Doggie Boarding tips

At times, it is heart wrenching to see the plight of pet owners having to drop their furry companion off at a boarding facility. I have myself gone through these emotions and I fully understand what they are going through . A pleasurable boarding experience is the result of the owner and the boarding staff working in the interest of the pet. I get asked a lot about the preparations that needs to be made before you drop your pet off and what to expect in a boarding.

• If your dog has never been boarded before, consider few hours of day care as well as at least one overnight boarding prior to the actual stay. This acclimatises the dog to the new environment and the staff. It also gives an opportunity to the owner to give any feedback to the staff and vice versa.
• Get your dog used to other dogs, people, new environments, travelling in a car/vehicle and most importantly eating independently (At Petspace we do hand-feed the dogs that do not eat on their own, but some dogs look for their owners to hand feed them).
• Ensure that all his immunizations are current and that he is not suffering from any contagious disease.
• Get your dog on an anti-tick/flea treatment as a preventive. Tick collars and spot-on applicators are effective.
• Get your dog dewormed regularly.
• Bring any familiar clothing/object that smells of home.
• If your dog gets anxious seeing you pack, bring the dog in before the suitcases come out! The less stressed the dog is, he will adjust faster.
• Let the staff know in case your dog has any abnormal fears (water, birds etc), allergies (wheat, milk etc) or has any medical condition (such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia etc).
• Arrive as early as possible in the day, so the pet has enough outside time to make new friends before “lights out”.
• Dogs sense and reflect our feelings; don’t allow a family member to stage an emotional farewell. Keep your good-byes short and happy. Most dogs view their boarding stay as a vacation.
• While at boarding, eating habits of dogs may change – some eat a lot, while some may reduce their food intake. Some dogs tend to gain weight while some tend to lose weight running around with other dogs having a great time.
• It would be best if the dog is kept on the same diet as at home.
• Some dogs do not eat for the first day in a new environment.
• Most dogs sleep a lot for the first couple of days after they return home.
• Your dog will be very excited when you pick him up. Do not feed him for a couple hours as excessive food and water consumption may cause issues as the dog is in a very excited state.

As always, feel free to call us at 9900020364 for any suggestions or information.

Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)

Today I’m gonna write about Kennel Cough…an infection that has been prevalent at times in our city. Read on to know some more about the symptoms, causes and possible resolutions to this common disease.
Kennel Cough is a fairly common ailment in dogs and is mostly seen in spring and summer. A talk with the vets confirms that the virus is “in the air” in Bangalore. If your dog does develop kennel cough, don’t panic! The way this illness operates is analogous to the common cold that we humans sometimes catch. Although kennel cough can sound terrible, most of the time it is not a serious condition.

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is caused by an airborne virus (parainfluenza) or bacteria called Bordetella which is highly contagious. Transmission of both the Parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bacteria occurs primarily by dog to dog contact or contact with aerosolized droplets (airborne transmission). The Bordetella bacteria resides in almost every dog, however a good immune system keeps the bacteria under control. A low immune system or stress can trigger bordetella to take hold and causes infection. Anytime your dog is in the vicinity of an infected dog, there is a potential for infection. The incubation period is 4-10 days, meaning your dog will not display signs of illness for 4-10 days following exposure to the virus. However, after the infection has been resolved, the affected animal will continue to shed the bacteria for 6 to 14 weeks and can spread the disease to other susceptible animals during that time.

People tend to associate it with dogs that have been in a boarding kennel. But your dog need not be in a kennel to catch the cough. The healthier the dog the best chance he has of getting rid of the disease fast, or not getting it at all. That is why the best thing is to build your dog’s immune system with a healthy diet. This is also the reason for not every dog in the kennel (or house) getting infected if there is an outbreak.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom is a dry hacking cough. Your dog will start coughing a lot, with a sound that seems as if he has something stuck in his throat. He will usually cough up phlegm after rounds of cough. As long as the colour of the phlegm is light and he seems to be in good spirits, the disease will probably take its course and go away in about 10 days with good care. A watery nasal discharge may also be present. With mild cases, dogs continue to eat and be alert and active. If the dog still shows the symptoms of kennel cough after 3 weeks and if he becomes weak or has dark phlegm, then he will need to be treated immediately, as he has probably developed a secondary bacterial infection which could be fatal if left untreated.

What precautions do we take at Petspace?

• Kennels have very good ventilation and are disinfected with germicide daily.
• Any dog that is found having the symptoms is quarantined immediately.
• Food/water bowls are kept separate for each dog, in their kennel.
• No common water bowls or balls or toys in the play areas.
• If the owner so chooses, there is an option of not socializing the dog, but is given adequate time out in the open alone.

Please feel free to contact us on advice or inputs regarding Kennel Cough: info@Petspace.in

Ceaseless Caesar & Tireless Cyrus!!

“Who said the search is still on for an unending source of energy? Haven’t you met children or puppies!!”


Yep! There is the quote for this post. And it isn’t from some famous, long gone philanthropist. It’s from a simple doggone woman staring speechlessly at two mischievous pups running amok: Me!

I’ve cultivated this rare skill of feeling the temperament of a dog even as he walks in for the first time. There it was! I knew there was something in him when Caesar the 3 month old Beagle strutted into Petspace. And yet, for the first day he was quiet. My sixth sense foretold me of the storm that comes after the calm. I waited for the entire day. Nothing happened.

The next day a cute little 3 month old Golden Retriever, Cyrus, joined the party. He looked and felt like a walking, running Teddy Bear! I could just forget myself as I stood cuddling him and pampering him with love. The minute he entered the play area, Caesar started troubling him like he was an old pal who just had to be harassed!

The first day went with Cyrus playing the underdog. May be he was just too taken in by the excitement in Caesar to even react. I guess the long hours of the night made for some quite resolve and planning from his side. The next day onwards started this non-stop play between the two pups! They would just go on and on and on…

At some point I thought, maybe I should play the referee and induce a little break time between rounds. What does a woman do, when she looks into the eyes of a cute little Beagle with the most precious eyes, like he was wearing kajal! Believe me, every one remarked on this feature of Caesar. Besides, I have not met anyone and I certainly am not the one who could look at a Teddy Bear and feel even an iota of strictness or firmness.

And so, for the 10 days of their stay, we were witness to the longest ever bouts of unstoppable play. As the self-appointed Ref, I concluded that the ‘game was the winner’ at the end.

Watch the video clips of the two of them at it on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/petspace.in

I’m sure it gives some clue of how CUTE they could be if you held them in your hands and looked them in the eye… phew! There I go…weak in my knees at the very thought!!! :)