Boarding
Requirements
All pets will be checked on arrival for fleas and ticks. If
necessary a bath will be given at the owners expense.
Emergency information:  Please be prepared to give the  
receptionist a telephone number where we can reach you
while your pet is with us.
Vaccinations:  Vaccination certificates are required at
the time of entry. All vaccines must be current.
Dogs: Rabies, DHLPP-C, and Bordetella.
Cats:  Rabies and FVRCP
Vaccinations for Dogs
RABIES
Rabies is a serious virus that attacks the brain and is always fatal.
Most pets are exposed to rabies by bites from wild animals,
particularly skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes. The disease can be
transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected pet. Rabies can
affect all non-vaccinated warm-blooded animals, including humans.
While there is no cure for rabies, it can be prevented with
vaccinations for the disease.
DHLPP-C: Canine Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis,
Leptospirosis, Para Influenza, Parvovirus, and Coronavirus
CANINE DISTEMPER
Distemper is a serious viral disease affecting primarily young, non-vaccinated dogs.
Clinical signs may include a yellowish or greenish discharge from the eyes or nose,
coughing, difficulty breathing, increased body temperature, weight loss, vomiting,
diarrhea, loss of appetite, nervous system disorder (twitching of a limb, seizures,
etc.), and hardening of the foot pads.
Prevention of this disease is extremely important, as distemper is often fatal. Even if
a dog survives the disease, distemper can permanently damage the dog's nervous
system, sense of smell, sight and sound. Vaccination has been shown to prevent the
disease.

CANINE INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS
Hepatitis is a viral disease that is most common in young, non-vaccinated dogs (9-12
weeks). Clinical signs may include respiratory tract abnormalities (discharge from the
nose or eyes, coughing) or evidence of liver and/or kidney disease (jaundice, loss of
appetite, vomiting, change in drinking and urinating behavior). Occasionally, an affected
dog develops a "blue eye" (corneal edema).
Hepatitis is spread by contact with urine from an infected dog. Prevention by
vaccination is the key as canine hepatitis is often fatal. Infectious canine hepatitis is
not contagious to people.

PARA INFLUENZA
Para Influenza is a transmissible upper respiratory infection of dogs which is
characterized by coughing and gagging. It is also known as trachea bronchitis, which is
usually mild but can be serious in young puppies. The group highest at risk for this
disease are dogs in crowded and stressful conditions, such as kennels, shelters or dog
shows.
CANINE PARVOVIRUS
Parvovirus is a serious disease affecting primarily young dogs (6 weeks to 6 months of
age) although any age can be affected. Parvovirus is a hardy virus, able to withstand
extreme temperature changes, and exposure to most disinfectants. Dogs contract
Parvovirus through exposure to infected dogs or infected stools.
Parvovirus attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing affected dogs to lose their
appetite, become lethargic and show evidence of vomiting, diarrhea or both. The
diarrhea is often bloody and has a foul odour (that of digested blood). Some dogs
develop fevers. Left untreated, Parvovirus can be fatal.
CANINE KENNEL COUGH (also known as Bordetella)
Clinical signs of kennel cough include a dry, hacking
cough and, in some dogs, nasal discharge, loss of
appetite and difficulty breathing.

Kennel cough is highly contagious and is spread
through sneezing, coughing and contact with infected
nasal secretions. Kennel cough is most commonly
transmitted when dogs are put in close proximity to
one another, for example, at dog shows, in kennels,
etc. In most cases, kennel cough lasts 7 to 10 days
and dogs recover fully from it. In some cases,
antibiotics are necessary.
Vaccinations for Cats
RABIES
Rabies is a serious virus that attacks the brain and is
always fatal. Most pets are exposed to rabies by bites
from wild animals, particularly skunks, raccoons, bats
and foxes. The disease can be transmitted to humans
through the bite of an infected pet. Rabies can affect
all non-vaccinated warm-blooded animals, including
humans. While there is no cure for rabies, it can be
prevented with vaccinations for the disease.
FVRCP: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis,
Calicivirus, Panleukopenia
FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is a severe upper respiratory infection caused by a feline type 1,
herpes-virus. It is most severe in young kittens and older cats, and is one of the most serious
upper respiratory diseases seen in the feline species. The virus is airborne and very contagious
in susceptible animals.

Cats with this infection are lethargic, and show signs of respiratory involvement with much
sneezing and coughing. There is usually a discharge from the nostrils and the eyes, and a high
temperature may be present. Some cats develop pneumonia and occasionally ulcerations in the
eyes. Infested cats do not want to eat or drink because the nostrils are plugged and the throat
is sore. Dehydration and weight loss are common.

The disease is debilitating and chronic. Many cats require hospitalization, intravenous fluids and
intensive care to help them get over the infection. Antibiotics are given to treat secondary
bacterial infections. Some cats suffer permanent damage to the eyes and the respiratory
system. Fortunately, the vaccine is an effective preventive agent.


CALICIVIRUS
There are several strains of caliciviruses that affect the cat. They can cause a range of
diseases, from a mild almost asymptomatic infection, to life-threatening pneumonia. Most cases
show only evidence of problems in the mouth, nasal passages and the conjunctiva (mucus
membranes) of the eyes.

Early signs are loss of appetite, elevated temperature and lethargy. Later, sneezing, oral ulcers
and discharge from the eyes are seen. The course of the disease in uncomplicated cases is
short, and recovery may be expected in seven to ten days. Some of the more virulent strains
can cause severe symptoms. They may cause rapid death in young kittens and older cats.

The disease is transmitted by direct contact with an infected cat or object (bowl, cage, brush,
blanket, etc.) that harbors the virus. The virus can survive eight to ten days in the
environment. Carrier cats can pass the virus into the environment for up to one year.

PANLEUKOPENIA
Panleukopenia (also known as feline distemper and infectious feline enteritis) is a highly
contagious disease characterized by a short course and high mortality rate. The disease is
caused by a parvovirus similar to the parvovirus seen in dogs. It is very resistant and may
remain infectious in the environment for up to a year.

The disease is most severe in young kittens, but can affect cats of all ages. The first symptom
is loss of appetite, followed by vomiting and diarrhea. A blood count usually shows a lowered
number of white blood cells, a fact which helps in diagnosing the infection.

Infected cats usually must be hospitalized with intensive treatment such as intravenous fluids,
antibiotic and supportive care. Mortality rate may reach 90% in young kittens under six months,
and may approach 50% in older animals. The vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease.
Distemper is a highly contagious disease. All body excretions and secretions (discharges
from the eyes or nose, vomit, diarrhea, urine) may carry the infection. The virus can
also be carried by air currents, and on inanimate objects such as food bowls.
The Boarding House
726 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-866-2383