Vaccinations and Health

All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations including Bordetella. Titer tests for DHPP are accepted and the Rabies vaccine for older dogs is not required.

All dogs must be either neutered or spayed. We can make exceptions for dogs that are not neutered or spayed but we don't encourage it. Please talk to our senior staff directly.

On admission, all dogs must be free from any condition which could potentially jeopardize our other canine guests. Any dog that has been ill within the last 30 days will require a veterinarian’s certification of health to be admitted or re-admitted to the Bowen Island Dog Ranch.

VACCINATIONS:
All owners must submit written confirmation from their vet that their dog has received the following vaccinations. The forms can be faxed to 604-909-4717or scanned and emailed to info@bowendogranch.com:

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Annually every 12 months OR LESS

All dogs who have been previously vaccinated for Bordetella and their vaccination is overdue, must have either the injectable or intranasal booster no later than 24-48 hours before arriving at the Dog Ranch (5-7 days before arriving is ideal in case of a reaction.) With the injectable booster, your dog will be fully protected after 10 days; with the intranasal your dog will be fully protected after 5 days.

All dogs that have never had the Bordetella vaccine must have the first injection and then a booster 2 weeks later and the booster must be done at least 5 days before boarding. Your dog will be fully protected 10 days following the booster. Alternately, they may have the intranasal vaccination for the booster and achieve full immunity after 5 days.

Under no circumstances will a dog be accepted at the Dog Ranch without a current Bordetella vaccination.

• DHLPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus); standard for an adult dog 1 or 3 years

• Rabies: standard every 1 or 3 years

PUPPIES:
We are unable to board puppies until after their 16 week vaccination booster and until they are neutered or spayed. However please be aware that your puppy may still be susceptible to illness and we cannot guarantee immune protection until one week after the final boosters (between 4 and 5 months of age). Proof of your dog being spayed or neutered before coming to the Dog Ranch is required. We will only accept un-spayed or un-neutered dogs with pre-approval from senior staff. We will only accept un-spayed or un-neutered dogs with pre-approval from senior staff.

MEDICATION:
Medication can be given with food in a pill or liquid format. We do not give injections. Please provide clear instructions and prepare the pills for each use (break the pills in half if necessary). We keep a daily record of medication administered.

DAILY MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS:
We assess all the dogs throughout their stay for the most basic medical issues as well as the typical ear and eye potential problems. We keep their ears and eyes clean daily and if there are any further issues or an infection arises, we are usually able to treat it at the Ranch with over-the-counter saline solution, medical wipes and canine disinfectant ointment or drops. If an infection persists, then we take appropriate action after contacting you, and a Vet consultation may be pursued. Our team has a Certified Vet Tech checking every dog boarding with us and a Health Journal is kept daily by all the dog handlers. The senior dog handling team is also "DogSafe" certified (http://www.dogsafe.ca/aboutus.html).

VETERINARY SUPPORT:
If a medical emergency or issue arises with your dog while they are staying at the Dog Ranch, our staff will attempt to contact you to discuss the situation before taking your dog into a Veterinary hospital.

If you are unavailable and your dog needs the immediate attention of a Vet, we will take your dog to your personal Vet if time permits, or the nearest available Veterinary hospital (Bowen Veterinary Services) or mobile Vet (Dr. Sandra Madden) who comes to the Dog Ranch as needed when she is on Bowen.

If the ferry is not running from Bowen Island to the mainland, there is a 24-hour water taxi service and mainland pet taxi service to get your dog to the closest 24 hour emergency vet hospital in Vancouver.