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!!! :)

Of Cats & Dogs!!

“Dogs come when called. Cats take a message and get back to you.”
A Very Happy New Year to All!! :)

The run up to the New Year at Petspace was quite a nice play of coincidence. It rained ‘cats & dogs’ as we neared the big NY day. And we had cats & dogs boarded too! I’ve written a lot about dogs so will write about cats in this post.

Being a dog and cat owner myself it just felt nice to connect with these amazing beings filled with so much love. Recently, I came across these ‘Cat Laws’ and one of them read: Curiosity never killed anything except maybe a few hours. Watching Wally, a (Siberian looking) Persian kitty walking around exploring my office at Petspace made me agree with that law totally.

He walked with an ease and fluidity of movement that only cats could possess. He looked at the curtain drapes and with the alacrity of a seasoned gymnast used it with finesse to sit on my desk looking into my eyes and purring his messages softly. Even as I sat mesmerized he took a walk around as if inspecting the place and being satisfied with what he saw made himself comfortable allowing my calls to him be recorded in the ‘answering machine’ inside his mind!

I’m sure you’ve seen the movie ‘Cats & Dogs’ and the hilarious spoof of the wondrous Bond & other Secret Agent movies with new 4 legged characters. While dogs shower us with their attention and love I do believe there is great merit in owning a cat. Just remember that a) To a Cat, “No” means “Not while I am looking!” and b) Anything not nailed down is a Cat Toy & c) After dark all cats are leopards (Native American proverb) :)

Hmm! And what can I say about those many dogs that made my New Year ever more special. The calmness and peace of cats is matched by the excitement and verve of the dog family. They ushered in the new year at Petspace with their trademark barks and wags! It is at once an overwhelming and exulting feeling to watch 15 or so dogs running to greet you every time you walk up to them. No wonder Aldous Huxley explained the popularity of dogs thus: ‘To every dog his owner is Napolean’.

While Bangalore welcomed NY2012 with rains like cats and dogs, I welcomed it with them :)

Sitting with Buster and Misty I also realized that it’s true what they say: “Dogs believe they are human; Cats know they are Divine”. Well, whether you have one of these ‘humans’ or ‘Divine’ in your home, here’s wishing you ALL a very, very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Haffun! :)

Petspace on TV!!

“Television:  chewing gum for the eyes."  ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
Over the last few months we had crew from two TV shows shoot Petspace and the dogs residing / playing here. It was also my first media experience. I had been interviewed by journalists from the print media earlier but this was a whole new experience. I am really grateful and could see the amount of hard work that goes into the creation of a video episode / TV show.

TV9 (Kannada): Ladies Club!

The first shoot was by TV9 in Kannada for their “Ladies Club” episode that showcases innovative business ideas. When I got the call from them about the coverage I was very excited and wondered how the day would go and how the dogs would behave with a bunch of camera crew focusing on them all day.

The day when the TV9 crew landed at Petspace was quite a hot summer day. In the sweltering heat while we managed to coax few of the doggies to come up and face the camera, I also found a few really ‘cool dudes’ who found the experience very engrossing and appealing! They put up quite a show strutting around the camera and exuding a sense of general merriment and fun.

I also gave my own ‘sound’ bytes on pet care (pun intended :) ) later following that up with an ‘interview; at the TV9 studio with Radhika, the anchor of the show. It was a FUN experience and I do hope that some of my comments and suggestions could be valuable to customers and dog lovers. You could catch the show @ Petspace Featured on TV9Part-I&Part-II

NDTV Good Times: Heavy Petting

I was introduced to this show by a customer. I watched the show and I loved the way it’s done. All credits to Seema Rahmani (the anchor) for hosting such a terrific show, among the first to showcase pets and pet related stories in India. I’d already pressed the ‘Like’ button in my mind for this show at first glance. So when I got the call from Arun of NDTV-GT for a shoot with Seema I was looking forward to this shoot.

With the experience of one shoot (TV9) behind I felt pretty confident that our koochies could only look good on cam! This experience was quite different in that the crew just waited patiently for capturing each dog in his elements. Patience (and perspiration) swelled from the crew as they just waited to ‘pick those moments’. Again I realized that somehow few dogs just LOVE the camera! Do they actually watch TV when they are home??!! I wonder! :) This is set to be aired sometime in August.

(I must add that those who know me would be surprised with my husky voice as I suffered with a sore throat on that day :( )

Close on the heels of these two shoots I was also glad to be chosen and interviewed for a book that will be published in association with IIMB. The book is on women entrepreneur’s journey starting up a business. In all, this summer has been quite an experience with new experiences from an altogether unexpected corner: the fourth estate!I came across this quote recently and it brought a smile to me face.

“Time has convinced me of one thing.  Television is for appearing on, not looking at.”  ~Noel Coward, attributed :)

‘Soulmates’ @ Petspace :)

“Our Soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person.”  Richard Bach

Of course you read it right! I am indeed talking about ‘Soulmates’ :)  It is no surprise that I write on this topic given that day in and day out I am at a place that abounds with one quality: LOVE!

On the 15th of April’2011, Don, a pug(!) came to stay at Petspace during the holiday season for a long vacation and there started a beautiful story of friendship that I now share with you. Don loves to play with other dogs and makes me wonder where in his cute little frame does he have the source of this much energy to play ALL THE TIME! I guess among God’s inimitable imagination and creation lies this little secret power house or store house of energy that He gifts children and dogs alike! But not all can keep going as much and as far as Don could! You must see him to believe him.

Nemo’s temperament is quite the opposite of Don’s, (at least initially it was!). He seemed a bit more sobre and ‘gentleman-like’. In his previous visits he seemed to be the ‘calm’, ‘quite’ types! And yet…yet, they proved a simple physics rule to be true, the law of magnetism: Opposites attract!

Nemo, the Cocker-Spaniel loves balls while Don plays with other dogs. And when these two cute brats get together, they seem to forget everyone else around them in the world. Like a true color Bollywood masala movie of the 80s and 90s, initially Don troubled Nemo and then Nemo returned the favor. But after that initial phase they struck such a close friendship that they were pretty much inseparable. In fact, Don gets so engrossed in playing with Nemo that he caused me worry about his forgetting to eat! Nemo boarded at Petspace thrice during the period when Don was here. Each time when Nemo would leave for home, Don would actually sit sadly at the gate watching him go. I felt his cheerful attitude was at its peak when he received Nemo the next time he came to Petspace.

Watching these gestures of pure love among these friends makes me wonder how often we humans actually give of ourselves so completely and selflessly to just be in the moment and share the joy of a moment created with our love for one another.

And yeah, I used the word ‘Soulmates’ coz like all true love stories the friendship is forged between all sizes and shapes :)
Take a look at these friendly pairs for instance:
Chocolate (a big Golden Retriever) & Anya (a small pug)
Bela ( a mastiff) & Ach (a lab)
Spark (a lab) & Buddy (a Shih tzu)
They have nothing in common excepting pure love and a happy-go-lucky attitude :)

Well, as for me, I am really happy to see these blossoms of friendship that seem to create a welcoming and homely ambience for the next pooch walking in…!! :)

Bunny @ Petspace :)

"If carrots got you drunk,rabbits would be messed up!!"
~ Mitch Hedburg

When I first came across the above sentence it didn’t mean much to me. Now, it DOES!! :)

Imagine this! I get this call from a prospective customer, only, this time it aint a dog but a Rabbit called Bunny! Yeah! You heard me right! A RABBIT!! Although I was initially a bit apprehensive of how the dogs would react to a rabbit, we decided to bring him to Petspace and see for ourselves.

If Bunny was even moved in the least by the presence or excited barking of other dogs, he didn’t show it. In fact, every single dog that was and has been visiting Petspace since Bunny’s arrival seems fascinated. Almost mesmerized.

It’s a common sight to find dogs squatting right in front of Bunny’s kennel and just gazing at him. Some wag their tails and call out. Others try to smell him through the door. But in all, I have not seen any dog being hostile towards him. Nonetheless, I don’t take chances and have not allowed Bunny and any dog out together free. Just suffice to watch their unique expressions of love play out across the kennel’s secure door!!

Oh well! Now coming back to the line above by Mitch Hedburg.  Bunny is a 3 month old Rabbit. He LOVES carrots and leafy vegetables. We grow some vegetables in our garden area at Petspace and each day, Bunny just treats himself with the carrots and leafy greens. It’s easy to please a rabbit or so I have learnt: just give him a few carrots!

And no post on Bunny would be complete if I didn’t mention his eyes! Those big beautiful eyes, red/pink in color seem to completely fill your mind and thoughts once you’ve see them! Maybe that’s what holds and mesmerizes the dogs too! :)

If you can and wanna visit place in the near future, you would see for yourself what I am talking about. Although, I had not ever thought about a rabbit guest at Petspace, I’m really glad we took him in and Bunny adds yet another beautiful page in my memories to cherish!

Even as I wondered about Bunny and how every dog seems taken by him, I came across a quote by Stephen Wright that may be the answer to what keeps them interested in him:

“The other day when I was walking through the woods, I saw a rabbit standing in front of a candle making shadows of people on a tree.” :) :)

Cute li’l Brats @ Petspace!

Someone asked me  if all or ‘most’ dogs were well behaved. Whoa! Whoa! Nothing could be farther from the truth! For all ye unsuspecting potential pet owners out there, trust me when I say this: a mischief monger dog can have you pleading for mercy from God Almighty in no time!
Lemme give you some examples here. I had this cute black Labrador at Petspace who had a liking, nay, a fetish, for tearing up everything! Every night (during the cold winter days) we would spread a mattress to keep the stay warmer for these folks. The morning after this dude walked in, I was staring aghast at the mattress shredded to pieces and the look….the Look of accomplishment on his face just had me laughing my head off. Here was the guy standing at my feet looking for appreciation for a job well done! <huh!>

What can I say about the gang-of-three pugs who would chase and torment every other dog (especially the big ones) just for fun! They would sneak up and surprise them or simply bark into their face and run. I guess either the bigger dogs were truly startled or just chose to put up with the exuberant midgets. Nevertheless, I would have to keep an eye and ensure that all is fun and play.

And yeah, this post would be incomplete if I didn’t mention about the one with razors for teeth, who just chomped away at the fencing and even the kennel door!! His jaws were a veritable scissoring machine and like the genie had to be kept ‘busy‘ all day!!

That said, I must add in the same breath that what would life be but for those practical jokes and wisecracks in action! :)  Every time I see these folks think up a new way to have fun I also realize that they’ve helped me discover a new facet in myself. And yeah…it is these little rascals that add such a joy to an otherwise mundane existence (as most dog owners say), that makes every day in life something to look forward to! Coz you never know what the next brat has in mind for ya… Well lemme stop here and go find out :)