Boarding

[CookieMama]

What are all your experiences with boarding your diabetic fur babies? Where do you leave them?

I am going out of town next week for a Wedding and am beyond nervous about boarding Cookie. Its the first time ever that I board her.
In the past, whenever I went out of town, I usually had someone come and feed/walk the dogs twice a day. But this time, I cant rely on anyone to give Cookie her shots twice a day and on time. I would leave her with my Mom but my Mom is going with us. I booked for her to stay at the Vets office. But, they close at 6 and are not open on Sundays or Mondays. They have someone go and take care of the dogs once or twice a day but it just doesn't seem like enough for me. Am I crazy for thinking like this?

I just made an appointment to see another vet that does boarding which is monitored 24 hours. They need to do a physical exam on her before she stays there, which is fine because its free and I figure I get another Doc's perspective on diabetes. The fact that a Tech is always on site makes me feel much more at ease.

[Cebe]

Re: Boarding

My regular vet practice is a 24 situation, so if i needed to board my dog, I would put her there and they would take care of the insulin. They charge a small fee for each injection, but it's nice to have the peace of mind.

I think it's good that you're going looking into the 24 hour vet. You will feel much better while you're gone.

However, in general, I have my mother take care of my dog, and she can handle giving the shots regularly.

[HarrysMom]

Re: Boarding

Can you ask one of your vet techs if they could come and take care of the injections?

[CookieMama]

Re: Boarding

Can you ask one of your vet techs if they could come and take care of the injections?

I don't feel comfortable giving someone the keys to my house. I live in Miami, FL and grew up here. Its not the safest place, and I guess I've become guarded because of it. Ideally though, that would be perfect.

[MaryLea]

Re: Boarding

I completely understand! Although there are two of us in the house, we are both singles, and we don't give keys or copies except to trusted friends who are also on our security service list to be called in case of emergency. One company whom I personally trust wants a key left out so they can service us, and I won't do that either. We make an appointment when someone is home even though it's difficult.

Hope you find a good solution.

Mary

[Patty]

Re: Boarding

Here's an old thread on boarding a diabetic dog: http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1631

Another idea is to have a friend let the vet tech in and stay while he/she is there so you don't have to give the keys to a stranger.

[beachnut55]

Re: Boarding

Thanks for posting this. So many good suggestions. I will be boarding Harley at the vet from October 11 - October 16 and I am so anxious about it. He has been boarded many times, but this will be the first since his diabetes dx.

Shirley

[jjefferjo]

Re: Boarding

I found a great pet sitter for Ed - he has been boarded only once about 2 mons after diagnosis and that was with his vet- it was still to stressful for me let alone him.
She will learn to test and text me the results if un-certain - she has a chartt for drops and diet is proportioned in fridge and she sleeps with Ed
I do feel fortunate to have this for Ed
National Pet sitters assc and look for special needs section
hope this helps

[SandyL]

Re: Boarding

Wow, thanks for the info Jj... Never would have thought ther was an asso of pet sitters, much less for special needs!!

Sandy

[jjefferjo]

Re: Boarding

I leave for my annual trip to Catalina in a week and Ed will be in her capable hands - she does mid-day (drive bys) when I need her to. text with any questions etc..
So she will sleep over - feed shot and drops - check on him at noon then return at 5pm for evening duty- I can't say enough about her.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Boarding

Thanks for the info. I was able to get a Pet Sitter's name from the local vet, who use to work there as a VetTech. She comes highly recommended, but my concern was overnight.

It is wonderful you found someone that can take care of Ed, while you are away.

[spiritdog6]

Re: Boarding

Jeff, Unfortunately I checked out that site, and there is no one in my area. Can I ask how much they charge per day?

Right now I am looking at having to board my 2 dogs in case of parental emergency, they are over 90 now so time is a ticking and I may have to eventually fly back for funerals.

The only option I have is to board them at my Specialists, at $35 per dog per day.

[jjefferjo]

Re: Boarding

Where are you located? thats too bad- try locally - there are some independents - check Angie's list as well for your area -
$45 a night for 2 dogs- which is what I would pay to board both- she does not charge x-tra to give meds- some do.

When I need her to just comeby mid-day or do a pm feed and shot when I need to work late or want to go downtown $15.00p/visit
I book early and rarely cancell - summer is busy- fall not so much
When intially diagnosed- she would am feed and pm feed and return in the am. I scratched that after fearing lows when he is alone
She is just so wonderful and Ed loves her.

[CookieMama]

Re: Boarding

Hi everyone!We ended up loving the vet that offers the boarding with 24 hour monitoring. The place is a huge animal hospital and they gave us a tour of the facility which was real nice. Cookie will be staying in the Hospital area and they are going to be checking her blood sugar while she is there. I feel a lot more comfortable leaving her there.

Thank you for all the suggestions

[MaryLea]

Re: Boarding

Good to know you found a great place and will be comfortable leaving Cookie with them. We didn't find anyone here, so I took Ruffles with me or left her with my daughter. Worked out fine, and I trust your situation will, too.

Mary