Possible Injuries/Illnesses while in Boarding or Daycare
We at the Animal Center try to prevent any injuries or sickness while pets are in our care. Our record is pretty good and have not had any injuries other the minor cuts, scrapes and a chipped tooth. All of that also happens to Rachelle and myself!! Rachelle gets cuts and scrapes from the dogs daily. I get cuts and scrapes as well. Recently, a dog jumped up on me, right to my face, both our teeth clanked and I got the chipped tooth!! Injuries happen even in the best of circumstances.
Owners must agree to all waivers, releases, policies & procedures in the service agreement, when using any of the Animal Care Center of NH & Professional Pet Sitting Etc pet care services, as well as owners and all employees.
See Waivers and Releases for ALL Pet Care Services in the Service Agreement Area
Why? because pets can do all kinds of things. Even though we try hard to make everything safe, pets can do some incredible things.
- Examples –
- Extraordinary Strength – While in a kennel at the Humane Society, where I worked, a dog in a kennel with a door to go outside run did something that was impossible. The Guillotine door was made with 1/4 inch steel on both sides and wood in between for insulation. During the night, this dog PEELED the solid steel down halfway. No one could move the steel piece back in place even an inch!!!! This dog had a few cuts on his lips and a few chipped teeth but otherwise unharmed
- Eating Rocks – A dog we currently have in daycare likes to eat rocks. Yes, his Mom knows. We do not have rocks in the play yard but there are small rocks on the other side of the fence which the town required for drainage. Some how, these tiny rocks will end up in the play yard. If he finds one, He will watch us and when we turn our backs, he will quickly pick it up. When we turn around to look at him, he will walk around like he is doing nothing, all the while having a tiny rock in his mouth. Then when we are not looking again, he will go far away from us and start chewing. When we hear it and look at him, he stops!! We yell drop it and as we get closer, he will dop it most times but sometimes, he will quickly swallow it. Being very tiny, it will pass and his owner knows he will eat anything.
- Tooth Chip – Two other dogs that absolutely love each other, were separated for a few weeks while one of them was on vacation. When they saw each other, they ran full force towards each other and their teeth clashed, chipping a tooth on one of the dogs.
- Coprophagia or Eating Feces – There have been a few dogs that are obsessed with eating feces. This is a very hard habit to stop in dogs. Again, dogs are smart and even though we pick up all feces as fast as we can, dogs learn that when a buddy assumes the position to poop, these dogs will run over and grab it before it falls to the ground and take off as we are yelling to drop it, which they then quickly swallow it.
With that being said, you, the owner, must understand that anything can and will happen whether in your home, while out and about or while your pet is boarding or enjoying daycare.
It is normal for dogs playing to often get minor cuts, scrapes, scratches, and nicks, similar to children on a playground. These injuries frequently result from normal enthusiastic, rough-and-tumble play, including wrestling, chasing, and “tag” games where paws and teeth make contact. These small,, superficial injuries are very common.
Common Causes of Injuries/Illnesses in Dog Play
- Normal Play: Wrestling, nipping, and chasing can cause minor scratches, particularly on the belly and legs.
- Thin Skin/Coat: Breeds with thinner fur/skin are more prone to scratches from playmates’ nails/teeth.
- Breeds such as – boxers, bulldogs, frenchies, greyhounds, etc
- Teeth Clashes : Dogs will play mouthing one another, it is rare but a tooth can get chipped
- Nail Scratches: Nails on another dog can cause abrasions during normal, enthusiastic play.
- Limping: As the dogs run, jump and wrestle, dogs may injure their legs, pull a muscle, etc.
- On a very rare occasion, I have heard of a dog in another daycare break his leg while jumping and landing wrong.
- Minor Disputes: Occasionally, small scuffles or “air snapping” can lead to minor, superficial punctures.
- Getting Dirty: We have turf so getting too dirty does not happen, but dogs will roll in anything and may go home a little dirty
- We do not have a professional groomer here, so we are not able to give bathes. We simply do not have time.
- Dogs boarding and having accidents or using pee pads in their suites can get a bit dirty as well.
- Dogs eating things: Some dogs like to eat things they shouldn’t, such as chewing on toys, rocks, leaves, dog feces, etc.
- While we do everything to discourage all of this, dogs are smart and will do things when we are not looking.
- Air Borne Diseases & parasites: All dogs are susceptible to any air borne diseases such as colds, flu, kennel cough and more. These can be contracted anywhere, even at your vets office or on a dog walk in your neighborhood. Parasites can also be easily contracted anywhere. You can read our protocol for this in service agreement.
- Boarding: dogs can try biting the metal on the Suites , chipping teeth or injure paws if they try to “dig out” of the kennel.
Safety Measures and Precautions
- We will intervene if play escalates or dogs are doing anything that may not be good.
- Play groups are grouped with compatible dogs and many become best friends and love one another….ENTHUSIASTICALLY!!!
- If we notice anything, such as limping, straining to go to the bathroom, we will mention it to the owner
- If we see a cut that is bleeding, we will definitely clean it and alert owner. However, many cuts can be covered by fur and not noticed.
- Dogs when playing will get minor scrapes and scratches all the time. We may never know when they happen and may never see them. These minor scrapes and scratches will not be mentioned.