A Visit with Becca Cornett

Pet Food Switch   

Zionsville Country Kennel is making some changes to the food we serve our canine and feline guests.

Kennel co-owner Deb Douglas notes that "the dog food market is not as tightly regulated as it could be."

"Manufacturers frequently change their ingredients. This means that we are constantly monitoring the food we feed the animals who board with us to make sure we maintain a high quality level. To ensure we're using the very best products possible, we change up our food offerings periodically."

Douglas says that after careful evaluation, "we are switching to Champion Pet Foods, with a focus on the Acana and Orijen brands." Both brands feature a grain-free offering, which the Kennel's previous line of food did not have. In addition, Orijen has received the Pet Food of the Year Award for 2011-2012, the third year in a row.

Orijen and Acana start with fresh, never-frozen meats that are farm raised, fished, or ranched within the North American Region. From free-run poultry, to wild-caught fish, to free-range red meat, their regional ingredients arrive fresh daily, and approved as "fit for human consumption."

"We're pleased about this change," says Douglas, noting that the transition starts as of August 2012.

Sizzling Heat Demands Precautions

This record-hot Hoosier summer can be cruel to our pets. Every year, thousands of dogs suffer from heat stroke. Heatstroke occurs when our pets' heat-dissipating mechanisms cannot accommodate excessive heat. In many cases, owners are not aware that their dogs are developing this condition until it is too late.

The symptoms of heat stroke in dogs:

excessive panting

excessive drooling

foaming at the mouth

difficult breathing

vomiting

diarrhea

Take Special Care when Walking Your Dog

Heatstroke isn't the only risk. Most people are aware that dogs' foot pads can be injured by stepping on something sharp, but what about something hot? Dangerously hot pavement and metal surfaces are hard to avoid in the heat of summer.

Pavement, metal or tar-coated asphalt get extremely hot in the summer sun. Concrete surfaces, too.

Signs of Burned Pads:

limping or refusing to walk

licking or chewing at the feet

pads darker in color

missing part of pad

blisters or redness

Burned pad first aid  

Best advice? be mindful of hot surfaces and walk your dog in the grass.

COUGHING DOGS

A dog can catch a cough as part of a respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the voice box and windpipe.  

How Did My Dog Catch a Cough?

Dogs can catch a cough in several ways. It can spread through the air, directly from dog to dog, or through germs on contaminated objects.   Some forms of a cough are so contagious that your pet might even catch it from sharing a water dish at the dog park or by simply greeting another dog.    

It is still contagious, even days or weeks after symptoms disappear. Symptoms begin usually two to three days after exposure.

Most kennels will not board your pet without proof of a recent vaccination against parainfluenza and bordetella.

Zionsville Country Kennel employs a 3-prong approach to guarding against all communicable diseases.  

We require current vaccinations including the Bordetella vaccination for all dogs that come into the facility (including dogs coming in for grooming, boarding, training, day care, etc.)

1. For our boarded dogs and day care dogs, we disinfect all of the runs and water bowls daily. Our stainless steel food dishes are disinfected after every meal.
2. All of our runs are indoor/outdoor runs which maximize airflow when the doors are open, and we also have fans in each side of each building that ensure good air circulation as they pull the air out of the buildings.   

How Is a Cough Treated?

• • Dogs with a cough should be isolated from other dogs.
  • A humidifier or vaporizer can provide some relief. You can also allow your dog into the bathroom while you shower. The steam will help soothe her irritated breathing passages.
  • Avoid exposing her to cigarette smoke or other noxious, irritating fumes.
  • A cough suppressant or antimicrobial may be prescribed. Your vet would be able to determine if this can be helpful for your dog.
  • If your dog pulls against her collar while being walked, replace it with a harness until the coughing subsides.
  • Be sure your dog is eating, drinking and in a stress-free environment. In most cases, the signs of a cough will gradually decrease and disappear after three weeks.     

Grooming fees set to increase  

Effective July 15, 2012, the fee for grooms on dogs will rise ten-percent on average.  

Kennel co-owner Deb Douglas announced the hike, but notes that "as in the past, the actual cost of any groom will depend on the individual dog. Meaning, the dog's size, length of their coat, and condition of their hair will all be calculated into the final price of any given groom."

Grooming your pet can happen in two ways at ZCK. You may schedule an appointment for your pet, of course, or you may arrange for an end-of-stay bath and groom after your pet has visited our Kennel or taken part in Training.

We are a full-service grooming facility with four professional groomers on staff. Whether you have a new puppy experiencing her first visit to the groom room, need a departure bath or groom after a boarding stay, or want to schedule a routine bath and trim, just let us know.

Grooming Services

We use all natural products including: Spa, Tropiclean, and Quadruped shampoos and conditioners.

Is your pet shedding excessively? Try The Furminator: a special shampoo, conditioner, and brushing process proven to greatly reduce or even eliminate shedding.

Our groomers specialize in all-breed pet styling (including cats). We offer:

• nail filing
• fluff drying
• hand carding/stripping
• teeth brushing with any bath or groom
• seasonal bandana or bows
• walk-in nail trims (no appointment necessary)

We appreciate your business and encourage you to call with any questions: 317-769-6172.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

Canine Good Citizen is a certificate given by the AKC to recognize all the training and hard work you, as a responsible pet owner, invest in your dog.  

As a lead-up to the certification test, our trainers will conduct a series of five preparatory classes for you and your dog prior to the evaluation.  

During the sixth session, your dog will be evaluated against 10 different criteria set by the AKC.  

Whether you're interested in future therapy work, or simply want a well-mannered dog, Canine Good Citizen is the step to take before advanced obedience, sporting work, or continuation to therapy certification.  

Call a ZCK trainer at 317-769-6172 for more information or to register.

   Class dates for 2012: 

Sept. 15  

Sept. 22  

Sept. 29  

Oct. 06  

Oct. 13

   Test: Oct. 20

   Fee: $175 ($25 for test only)

KENNEL CAMP NEWS

Even though the dog days of summer are upon us, you don't need to keep your dog confined inside with air conditioning. Our staff knows how to keep kennel camp dogs active, cool, and safe even on the hottest days.  

We encourage more energetic play in the morning hours, and then shorten the time outside by using the indoor training room. Wading pools and misting stations are used to cool the dogs throughout the day.  

Come play with us....Kennel Camp is open from 7:00am-6:00pm every weekday!

Kennel Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 2pm-6pm

Kennel Camp Hours:

Address: 5370 Indianapolis Road - 1.5 miles north of SR 334 - see us on the map 

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