BOARDING FOR PETS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Boarding Geriatric Pets

Being away from home can be more stressful for older pets than for younger ones.  They are more set in their ways, and their patterns more deeply ingrained.  Dogs and cats love patterns such as knowing what is going to happen, and when it will happen.  Changing those patterns can upset them. 

Additionally, geriatric pets are more likely to have underlying health problems.  Deafness and blindness are not uncommon in senior pets.  Kidney, heart, and liver disease are often associated with age.  Arthritis and other degenerative conditions can make it difficult for them to get around.  Boarding, especially if your pet has never been boarded or boarded infrequently, may cause these conditions to become apparent or worsen.

Caring for Older or Stressed Pets

Avondale Pet Resort provides extra attention, soft music, special TV programs designed for pets, as well as a watchful eye.  Special diets can be prepared to meet the nutritional needs of the senior pet, or you may choose to provide the food of your choice.  We want your senior pet to go home happy and healthy. 

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a dog or cat to become stressed while being boarded, which can sometimes result in illness.  Avondale Pet Resort has veterinarians on site that are prepared to handle these situations.  Discuss your pet's individual needs and health conditions in advance, along with what to do if something changes.  Remember, Avondale Pet Resort is in the business of boarding because we love animals.  We want your pet's boarding experience to be a pleasant experience for them and for you. 
 

"How could my senior pet have become ill . . . he was fine when I left him?"
 
Many older pets have underlying conditions or undiagnosed illnesses that are not readily apparent.  Stress plays an important role regarding your pet's health.  Stress can be caused by a variety of factors such as being away from home and loved ones, a new environment, other dogs or cats, new noises, different smells, different people, a change in food or water, and the list goes on.  Whatever triggers a stress reaction also triggers physical changes in your pet.
 
The pituitary gland releases a hormone called ACTH into the bloodstream, which in turn signals the adrenal glands to release epinephrine and other natural steroids.  Each of these products serves to get the body ready to react (the old "flight or fight" pattern).  So the hormones have effects on various body systems.  For example, blood pressure increases and the heart has to work harder; the kidney and urinary systems slow down; the immune system, which fights off disease and infections, shuts down temporarily.  We may see physical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, or increased respiration. 
 

Stress helps animals (and people) cope with a situation.  However, when stress is not relieved or reduced sufficiently, the body does not have a chance to rest and cleanse itself of the excessive hormones.  The possibility of shut down or failure of one or more body systems becomes greater as the stress continues, especially if there is any underling disease or previous illness.  Since the immune system stops working, even bacteria or viruses that might not normally affect your pet can now cause illness.  This is why your pet can become ill away from home even when he or she appeared normal when you dropped them off.

"But the boarding facility must have made him sick!"
 
In reality, no one person can make your pet ill.  At Avondale Pet Resort, we pride ourselves in providing a safe, clean environment that allows us to monitor the health of the pets left in our care.  Unfortunately, no boarding facility has any way of preventing a pet from becoming ill from the effects of stress.  At Avondale Pet Resort, we want the boarding experience to be a pleasant experience for you and your senior pet. 

For more information, visit www.petcareservices.org (Pet Care Services Association's website) or visit with your individual veterinarian or one of the veterinarians at Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex to learn about ideas to make your senior pet's boarding stay as medically safe as possible.