Afraid to leave my dog....

[gunther's mom]

My poor spouse and I! We really have a bit of a dilemma. We have two senior dogs. My doxie Gunther, who is about 14 is in good health. My 18 year old rat terrier is more fragile,by far. We have a fairly complicated med regime for my rat terrier (Jake). This involves measuring with a syringe-yea I know, not terribly complicated, but a wrong dose could be ...well, major. Also Jake won't take meds easily unless they are put 'just so" inside a biscuit. But we really want to go on a bit of a vacation this year. We would even be willing to hire a vet tech to come to the house... But even then i'd feel awful if something happened. Any other ideas/or suggestions/ or support...?

[cunhvn]

Is there a vet that kennels in your area? My vet I had when I lived in Oregon kept my girls a few times when I was traveling on business to places un-pet friendly, and I always felt good knowing the vet was right there, his house adjoined his vet practice so he was on site all the time. Made me feel at ease, as well he would take my girls into his house to stay with his family while they were there, he said they were so well mannered and his kids loved my girls also, so that worked out well for me. Just a thought, and would give you a huge piece of mind not to have that bit of worry while you are gone as that can not only ruin your trip but make it stressful as well!

Betty

[Irminsul]

Personally, I would rather have them stay at home and someone take care of them there, and not kennel them at a vets. Too many germs and too emotionally draining for such seniors.

Get someone to come over and train them for a while. Show them how the meds are done and then watch while they do it. Maybe the person you chose can call you whenever they do the meds, and that way you would know when they were done.

I hope you can find someone you can trust. :hug2:

[Suzanne R]

ITA with Katja's suggestion. I prefer mine to stay at home, anyway, old or not - they're more comfortable there and not cooped up in a kennel for hours at a time. Perhaps your vet's office could suggest one of their employees to come by a couple of times a day or so and check on them, etc.? That's the ideal thing, IMHO.

[gunther's mom]

Thanks for your replies. Indeed i'd tried a kennel in the past. Even though it had a good reputation, the owner of the kennel said my dogs were a wreck. Gunther's nose was a mess as he kept nugging the fence and Jake got a case of colitis.....
So after this we had a pet sitter come in the house to visit. He was okay, but...well, yes, frankly the suggestion of asking the doc's vet tech may be the best.
Another idea is to takem' with us! I called a bunch of hotels last night. Can't do the $500/night type deal. But maybe even a trip to Montreal-2 3/4 hrs north of us, might suit us fine!

[Suzanne R]

Sure, take them with you! Find cabins along the route that will allow dogs and ALL of you could have a wonderful time without the stress. Your furkids would LOVE it!!

[ems736336]

I have a very good friend who has a vet tech from the vet's office come twice a day to 'pill' her 17 year old cat when they are gone. I think the vet tech really appreciates the extra money she gets. The cat is well taken care of by someone who knows her and knows how to do medicine as well as feeds and waters and sits with her for awhile. Maybe that is your best bet.

[Ruthi]

Have you ever tried KOA's? They are real nice. They are a little rougher being campgrounds but our puppers sure enjoy going to them. They have the cutest little cabins and regular campsites.:hearts::hearts:

http://www.koa.com/where/usa.htm

or
http://www.koa.com/where/canada.htm

[Christena]

Make sure you call ahead as some do not allow pets to stay in their cabins. KOA's are a good choice as everyone I have ever stayed at was extremely clean and well maintained.
We just went away for a week and left ours at a great kennel associated with our vet's office; they said they were great and no trouble but Auggie came home with his nose sore, probably from rubbing at the cage door. They were all excited to see us but Auggie seems extra quiet and sad looking. Daddy says never again we won't go if they can't.

[Ruthi]

This is one KOA that I would love to go to. It looks like a nice place and I have always wanted to go to Montana. We have been to them in Alberquerque,Tulsa,Oklahoma city,outside of St Louis,Illinois,and Indiana. One day I'm going to start doing the West !:hearts::hearts:

[gunther's mom]

KOA sounds interesting-I'll have to brouse for awhile. Meanwhile my dear spouse called a fellow who used to come and walk/feed my geriatric puppers. He's going to come over and have us demonstrate how we give my 18 yr old Jake his meds!

[missmolly]

I know when I went on vacation last month I had to leave Miss Molly and Henry at home . I hired a pet sitter (who I used before ) to come out and take care of my two . I made every thing as easy as possible wrote every thing down had Miss Molly's pills all cut up and ready to give to her . Had 2 bowels for water had extra paper towels,Labled every thing . That way there would'nt be any confusion as to who got what . Good Luck !