Diarrhea
Diarrhea is uncommon at our facility but it does occur. Although must dogs never get diarrhea while being boarded, others get it every time they are boarded.  Occasionally a pet that has had a normal stool while here will get diarrhea when they return home.

What can cause this sudden onset of gastric upset?
Stress – Related to Diarrhea.

The most common cause of diarrhea is “ stress.” This cause of diarrhea most frequently occurs with your pet if he has never been boarded or is infrequently boarded.  A sudden change in your pet’s routine can cause some dogs to stress a little bit and the result can be gastric upset.  This is also the reason your pet might develop diarrhea when he returns home.

It is the change in environment that causes the stress.

Dietary Change
Another cause of diarrhea can be a result of sudden change in diet.  This type of diarrhea can usually be avoided by providing us with your pet’s food.  Here at The Barrie Inn, we prefer to keep your pet on their own diet. If you do not bring your food, we will provide a mixed variety of health base food.

Canine (Kennel) Cough
It is important that all clients are made aware that canine cough DOES NOT ORIGINATE IN A KENNEL. We absolutely will not ALLOW DOGS at The Barrie Inn who are coughing or show signs of canine cough.  However, it may be impossible for us to tell when a dog has been exposed to canine cough Prior to his/ her arrival.

We require all dogs that stay or train at The Barrie Inn to be vaccinated for canine (Kennel) cough.

Canine cough, commonly referred to as Kennel Cough or a “Doggie cold” is a generic term used to indicate canine infectious tracheobronchitis, a highly infectious upper respiratory disease that is caused from a number of bacteria such as Bordetella bronchisephca, and viruses such as canine Para influenza.  Coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge are common symptoms of canine cough.  These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.  Since canine cough is a viral infection,  there is no “cure”, just as there is no cure for the common cold.  As a self-limiting disease, it will go away on its own just like any other cold or flu. However, many veterinarians will prescribe a cough suppressant and/orantibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Canine cough is not “born” at The Barrie Inn. It can be (and usually is) “caught” outside The Barrie Inn and brought in by a dog.  A dog can be exposed at the park, pet store, veterinarian’s office walking around the neighborhood, or any place where dogs congregate or pas through.  Unfortunately, canine cough does not show visible symptoms for five to ten days after exposure.  While we make intense efforts to prevent an outbreak at The Barrie Inn. Through extensive cleaning and disinfecting,  public awareness and by requiring vaccinations, we can not guarantee that your dog will not be exprosed.

Just as a child who attends school has the potential to contract a cold or flu which is seasonal, a dog being boarded also has the potential to contract canine cough which is also seasonal.  When a child gets a cold or flu, parents do not expect the school system to pay for treatment.  It is the same if a dog gets canine cough at The Barrie Inn.  You should not expect us to cover the cost of treatment.  Through our efforts, the possibility of your dog’s exposure to canine cough at The Barrie Inn is minimal.  However, it is still possible.  Please be advised that if exposure to canine cough does occur, The Barrie Inn will not be held liable for its treatment, cost thereof, or consequence.

Again, we make every effort to prevent an outbreak of canine cough.

All dogs are required to be up-to-date on all vaccinations including Bordetella.  Therefore, CLIENTS WHO BOARD THEIR DOGS WITH US DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK.

If your dog becomes ill or injured while being boarded with us, we will, at our sole discretion, engage the services of your veterinarian.  If your dog’s regular veterinarian is not available, we will use our local veterinarian of our choice or bring your dog to the local emergency clinic.  Any expenses incurred as a result or veterinarian’s services must be paid at the time of check out.

We will make every attempt to contact you if your dog becomes sick or injured.  If it is an emergency or we cannot reach you, we will go ahead and treat your pet accordingly.

While The Barrie Inn makes every effort to ensure a safe place for even the most exuberant dog, we will not be held liable in the event your dog gets injured.

Over the years we have had many clients who have boarded geriatric dogs that are in failing health.  In each situation we have felt that it was important to ask the questions,  “What do you want us to do if your dog’s health should fail?” and “What would you want us to do if your dog should pass away?” It would be an unfortunate situation if a Geriatric dog were to be failing in health and possibly pass away, however it is a possibility.  Should the situation arise, we feel that it is extremely important that we know exactly what the owner wants us to do.  Clients who board geriatric dogs must provide us with precise information as to the procedure to follow at check in.

We will administer medication to your dog as part of our routine. Specific provisions have been made to accurately administer and record the passing of medications.  We will charge a nominal fee for administering meds.  Please be sure to mark medication clearly with your dog’s name and dosage information.