06/20/2019
UPDATE: The sick pup continues to be ill, but with differing symptoms from kennel cough. The clinic now believes it was all just an allergic reaction to a medication they had put her on previous to coming to my house. (Which would explain why no one else became ill.). But, there is no way to know for sure there was not kennel cough in there, as well. I will continue with the shut down since I have already canceled everyone just to be safe, and be back up and running by the end of next month. Thank you to everyone for all of the support and kind words this past week!!
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It’s with an extremely heavy heart today that I am letting everyone know that I need to close my business for at least a month. I was up all night with a client last night who was pretty sick. I took her to her vet first thing this morning. This vet is pretty sure it’s kennel cough, although not 100% positive. (Apparently, they don’t want to do X-rays unless it gets worse.)
The clinic made it very clear they were pointing their finger right at me for being the cause. This is always a possibility in this business. I know it’s a taboo subject. But, honestly, I can’t say for sure it’s not. I am not ignorant enough to say with certainty that the dog did not get it from my business. I have a lot of clients in and out of here who go to events where these things tend to spread like wildfire.
The thing I find interesting is that the dog had been to their clinic just last week and the incubation period can be ten days. They even told me they’ve had a ton of people in with kennel cough, lately. From my experience at that very clinic, I know that people will walk in the front door with a sick dog not knowing it’s kennel cough. All it takes is a little spittle from a cough being missed.
I also find it interesting that my 4 month old, 7 pound, unvaccinated (for Bordetella yet) pup wasn’t the first to fall ill if someone else had brought it in to my house previously. Call me naive, but I would think she would be the most susceptible.
I do want everyone to know that I keep tabs on everyone having vaccinations. (This client even had her Bordetella vaccination just five months ago.) But, I will be asking for updated vaccinations from all of my clients just to be sure we are all up to date.
At any rate, I wanted to let everyone know that I will need to let the bacteria die off completely before I read-open my doors. I apologize for any inconvenience. But, I prefer to acknowledge the problem and do all I can to make sure I don’t help spread this highly contagious respiratory disease. Some prefer not to step up and admit these things, perhaps because a thirty day shutdown would bankrupt them. I’ll take my chances and hope we make it through the month.
Stay safe my friends. Apparently, there is an outbreak of kennel cough in the area. And, if nothing else, hopefully this will shine light on the importance of keeping dogs who you even suspect have been exposed at home for the incubation period to ensure it is not continually spread. And, remember, a dog can seem fine and still be a carrier, and places that claim to be sterile might just not be. (I hope I don’t offend anyone, I’m just incredibly hurt, tired, worried about my clients who are being inconvenienced and, honestly, my future at this point.)
*I should note that I am in no way blaming my clients. As I said, this very well could have originated in my care. And, even if it didn’t, the likelihood of my clients knowing their dog was even exposed is extremely minuscule.
