back from the kennel and Spike is in a poor mess :(

[Mel]

he was there for 4 nights and 5 days, i picked him up today after his bath and he was so happy to see me...jumped straight into the crate in the trunk and tried to sleep on the way home. When we got home he ate some food but then just started chewing, gnawing and licking his paws constantly. My children went over to pet him and he growled and snarled at them....when i checked him i could see why. He has awful red swollen paws !! the tops and the bottoms looks so bad ! i called the kennel and they said 'maybe hot spots try Goldbond' i am not happy at all
I called the vet and they said to bring him in ...he is there right now with my husband.

has anyone any idea what this could be ? is it moisture/not being dried after being wet ? that is what the kennel are saying .....i am furious.

Update * the vet said dermatitis , gave antibiotics, and benadryl, tried to shave the fur off but he was too distressed
they are on their way home right now.

[Mbrwr]

So Sorry to hear about Spike ( Hope he feels better soon!

[jodysh]

Awww poor guy

So did the vet have any ideas about how he got the dermatitis?

[Mel]

she thinks it could be from the rain and not being dried properly. I am suspicious about the bath he had there today....i wonder if they rinsed him properly, he seems itchy all over and has a fairly strong perfumey smell. i wonder if he stood in the soapy water and then wasn't rinsed enough but dried and started licking and biting the irritation.

He has had benadryl and his first antibiotic to treat any staph that may start. i have put his pro collar on to stop him licking etc...it seems to be helping. I think i may give him an oatmeal/aveeno bath tomorrow to sooth his skin.

i just feel awful about this....no more kennels for us.
i really want the kennel to pay the vets cost...$95. i think i will call them back tomorrow and see what they say.

[browndog]

oh no...that is so sad. Poor dog. We are leaving our little Katey overnight at our dog daycare this weekend and I too am worried. They are a good daycare, but she plays continuously ALL day and I'm worried that by spending the night too and playing ALL day the next day for consecutive days will be too much for her. Last time we left her with someone for 2 nights and when we got back she had a bladder infection! Anyway, I feel your pain. Just thought I'd commiserate a bit with you as far as worry goes! It's always so hard to leave them with someone.

[deepnite10]

WOW !!! id be pissed too..

though i trusted a large kennel..i decided to go with a small private sitter..

i noticed at the larger kennel that they were using a commercial disinfectant..knowing it s important to wash down the living areas i kept my thoughts to myself..but, behind my mind i was fearful how Toby would react to any disinfectants being used on the property..

on his skin or possibly getting into his water or food..i just did nt want to take a chance..

[Ace's Place]

Ugh...just what I fear about leaving ace for boarding. I just don't understand these kennels that don't notice or mention problems developing. Makes me want to open my own small boarding place. deep nite - glad you mentioned that about the disinfectant and I am trying to find a tactful way to ask my place about what they use since I know they are very into cleanliness (constantly washing the floors) - but now I want to know what with.

Mel, I'm glad you are home and hope Spike is feeling better. Do you know what the surface is that they play on at that kennel? I know I read bad online reviews for a kennel in our area and it was because the surface is gravel and it damages the dogs pads - but that wouldn't explain the tops of Spike's feet.

[Mel]

i managed to have a good look at Spikes paws today and i can see what the problem is....he has some mats in between his toes and infected skin around them, green with some pus he must have been trying to lick and groom them and they got infected . The redness is either the infection tracking or inflammation from the licking/chewing.

He was groomed 3 weeks ago before his neutering and he has never had this problem before, i always blot his paws after he has been in the rain and he will groom himself. I think he was playing for so long at the kennel (they are outside for 5 or 6 hours at a time twice a day - so most of the day) he just didn't get the rest and time to groom himself and the kennel workers didn't dry him off.

I called the vet again to tell her what i found in between Spikes toes and she said the antibiotics will help.

Now i just have to stop him from licking....the pro collar helps a little.

He is not eating and is just lying around He looks so sad....i could just cry right now, i left a healthy puppy on saturday and now this...i was all prepared for loose stools and a tired pup but not this.

I called the kennel and told them the situation and that it was unacceptable ....how could they not notice this when they bathed him and clipped his nails ? how did they not see him gnawing away at his paws ? why didn't they dry him off after water play ? i even paid extra for him to be brushed/combed out every other evening to prevent mats !

The vet is as angry as me and is faxing the kennel a statement and a copy of the bill.

[Daisy'sMom]

Oh my gosh Mel, that is awful!!!! I can't get over it!!! Wow. Poor Spike and I feel so bad for you, that's just unacceptable. Hope Spike is feeling better soon, I'm sure he was so glad to see you and to be back home

[Mel]

i know, i feel terrible ! it IS unacceptable, it is neglect !
Spike just doesn't want to do anything, he is not eating....only if i hand feed him some kibble, he will eat 4 or 5 pieces. He is drinking though so that is one good thing.

He was so happy to see me yesterday and jumped into the crate in the back of the car.....today he is so subdued and sad

[lindamarie]

Oh noooooooo! This is totally unacceptable AND you must DEMAND they pay the vet bill.
In fact, I think they need to be reported! No dog should come home this way!

IMO, they have a whole lot of 'splainin to do!

I am furious! NEVER, ever should this have happened!

Editing to add.......take pictures of the paws and pictures of HIM just lying there. Get a full report from the vet as to how healthy he was before and what he returned as.......you cannot let this go!

[Ace's Place]

Perhaps the benadryl and antibiotic are also adding to his feeling under the weather. I'm sure Spike will come around and be his old self as you sound like you are really on it in both getting him medical attention and giving comfort. Sorry this happened - I would feel the same as you do. I hope to read this forum tomorrow and to read a report on how much better Spike is doing.

Please consider posting a review online so others researching that kennel will know about your experience. Sometimes that is the only way you can truly know about the operation and the people working there.

[lindamarie]

Please consider posting a review online so others researching that kennel will know about your experience. Sometimes that is the only way you can truly know about the operation and the people working there.

Absolutely!

[jodysh]

I agree with demanding restitution. I think they also need to give you part of the money back that you paid them to take care of him since they obviously did NOT take care of him as they should have.

Oh they would hate me.

I bet it is the meds making him feel puny. Hope he feels much better soon. Get him a special treat and a new toy

[Mel]

I have spent nearly an hour cleaning in between Spikes paws, cleaning the pus and cutting out the mats i could get to....my husband hand fed him one piece of kibble at a time and some treats which he ate...he did so well, letting me do that, some areas looked raw and so swollen. I used tepid salt water solution and dried each area carefully afterwards. He seems a little happier since then, maybe a bit more comfortable.

I did take pictures but the photos don't really do justice and he didn't tolerate me opening up his toes for the pictures.

The kennel called me back and agreed to pay the $95 for the consultation and meds. The person who was responsible for Spike has been put on a leave of absence and the manager held a meeting re:Spike and the care they should be giving to long haired dogs like doodles. They also offered me a free groom and bath for him which i have declined , i said i have no confidence in them as he was bathed and had his NAILS CLIPPED yesterday and they didn't even notice the state he was in.

I think i will claim some of the boarding cost back, it IS neglect.

I will definitely post a review online about this....i don't want any other dog to go through this.