IMPORTANT ITEMS TO SHARE WITH OUR CUSTOMERS

TO ALL DOG OWNERS:

Boarding is a stressful situation that can lower animals' immune status; therefore an intranasal kennel cough vaccine is recommended EVERY 6 MONTHS for any dogs that are boarded regularly and/or go to social places (doggie day care, dog parks, etc). Kennel cough is a two-part disease that first involves something to cause rawness or lesions in the throat followed by colonization by bateria that normally reside there. Viral and environmental factors (i.e., humdity, heat, dust) can cause the lesions that allow the bacteria to evolve into the symptoms of kennel cough. We recommend vaccination for kennel cough at least 5-7 days prior to boarding and/or other social events. As with any vaccine, it is not 100% effective, but vaccinating will reduce greatly the risk.

Dr. Carter L. Burkey, DVM 804-530-1513

NOTICE TO OUR CLIENTS:
We have contacted 10 of the most reputatible veterinarians in the area (ie. Betty Baugh, Dr. Bill, Locke Taylor, Bermuda Hundred and others) and asked them about how often should we recommend bordatella vaccines to be given: Here are our results!
#1- 7 out of 10 are recommending to their owners that bordatella should be given via injection or intranasally every 6 months.
#2- Betty Baugh is the ONLY one who went one step further and told us they recommend 1 x a year to give the shot....and 6 months later give the intranasal vaccine. She indicated that this way... you are boosting immunity and are also covering a variety of bordatella strains (ie. think about the flu vaccine in humans...every year there are different combinations of the vaccine to protect us from various varieties of flu- same applies to dogs).

**We want to INFORM and PROTECT our clients the same way**

If your dog exhibits symptoms such as a persistent coughing, hacking, or is producing phlegm... seek veterinary care immediately. Most dogs are being prescribed antibiotics or cough suppressants. In some cases, WE are finding some symptoms first thought to be Bordatella (or kennel cough) are actually upper respiratory infections (which can sometimes mimic the symptoms of kennel cough). In both cases, treatment is the very same. It is important to administer antibiotics as soon as possible. If treated quickly symptoms due to an upper respiratory infection are dissappearing within 48 hours up to 5 days. Once antibiotics have been given, if it is truly Kennel Cough it may take longer to see an improvement in your dog (s). Symptoms can last sometimes as long as 10-14 days. As you see from the letter above, Dr. Burkey is recommending intranasal application of the bordatella vaccine every 6 months. Especially with the variations in temperature we have been seeing this summer and speaking with Dr. Burkey, he is EXPECTING to see an increase in kennel cough symptoms as of the July 4th Holiday no matter where you are boarding, or if you are taking your dog(s) to public parks.
Bottom line: if you see symptoms seek veterinary help asap!

Thank You!
Break of Dawn Management

OUR NEW POLICY:
Will require bordatella vaccines every 6 months. You will need to have the vaccine administered no later than 5-7 days prior to boarding. If OUR POLICY IS NOT ADHERED TO....we will not be responsible if your dog (s) are infected with kennel cough.

HOT SPOTS
We have also seen in some longer haired dogs hot spots developing with the fluctuation in temperatures. This is also a problem in the summer months. Please keep an eye out for your dogs and their coats.

At this time it seems to be concentrated above Fredericksburg, Va. and North. If you have plans to travel in these areas YOU SHOULD ACQUIRE THE DOG FLU VACCINATIONS prior to entering those areas. It has actually become Mandatory if you live in Northern parts of VA. Please be careful in Doggie Daycares, Dog Parks, etc... you may come in contact and not even know it. If you are New boarding with us and live in the Beach, Carolina's, and Northern Va - we would appreciate it if you would let us know upon booking and we will require to see proof of the dog flu vaccine to board with us. Education is most important in containing this flu to not spread any further southward. As of today, 10/01/2009 WE are not requiring it for all of our customers. We will keep you posted on the Website should information change/or more information become available. Symptoms of this to include: High Fever (you will see it in their eyes that they feel really bad), Yellowish-Brown Discharge from the Nose, and similar symptoms to that of Distemper and Kennel Cough the difference being that this will be an upper respiratory cough (more like a Hack) instead of the Deep (forced) cough that often comes with Kennel Cough. Regardless of the signs, You should Consult your Veterinarian whenever these symptoms arise. They will advise you on the proper way to treat this.

*Dogs on a diet: sugar free peanut butter can be substituted. Instead of bananas you can use pumpkin or carrots for over-weight dogs.

Pour into 3-4 oz. plastic containers with lids. Freeze until firm. Usually makes 9-10 servings.

Note: I use Glad ware mini round containers with the interlocking lids 4oz/(1/2cup) size. As a puppy, you can probably use less in each container until your puppy is full grown.

You can also use plastic ice cube trays covered with wax paper when in putting them in the freezer. Once frozen you can pop them out of the tray and put them in a freezer zip lock bag or a large freezer container. That way you can remove one or two at a time. This way you can ration them instead of having to make a new batch every time you want them. Do NOT keep over 2 weeks, when making in large quantities.