We went back to Daycare today.

[Jennifer and Jack]

After much travail and really fretting about bringing Jack back to his original daycare center that he had been going to since he was 12 weeks or so. I brought him back today,

 

I pulled him out in September of last year because he got tape worms three times, I tried so hard to find something to match the fun he had there but I just felt like I failed. He would do play groups, but nothing beat the way they did things at this privately owned daycare that is set on a farm.

 

So I had an all day doctors appointment, Jack has been a bit antsy because we are not getting all his normal exercise in.

 

Anyway, I knew he was fully protected as much I could do, but I wondered if he would like going there since it has been so long.

As we pulled into the parking lot, he started bouncing, like a kangaroo, jumping around and whining to get out of the car. He was so excited. When we walked in for check in, he ran up to the people he used to see all the time and kissed them politely and then wailed at the door to get to the playground. They redid some things but the main area is still pine straw so that won't be good come August.

 

I watched him play for a good 20 minutes, after he got done having the peeing contest with everyone, He just wrestled and played. I want to bring him back to when we were going at least one to two days a week. He loves it, and well if it means he gets a cold or something, so be it, It is so much fun and I am about quality of life.

 

I do have to say, AGAIN they did not ask me for his shot records which kills me. It is so hard, he hates Camp Bow WoW and loves this place so much, What is a mom to do?? DO you think it is worth the risk?

 

I fully checked him over once he got home, he is licking himself a bit in his privates but no fleas, no flea poop and he is passed out sleeping. What would you do, I know it is a personal choice but I am interested to hear since I know you love your dood's as much as I do

[Camilla and Darwin]

Man, that is a tough one. What if you went back to Camp Bow Wow, and asked them specifically to let him have a nap time? maybe he would like it better this time around. 

 

I THINK  I would be too nervous to take my dog to a place that didn't enforce the fully vaccinated rule. And Jack has gotten worms there before... I would be really hesitant to return. I emphasized "think" because only you know the exact situation and the owners of the daycare. I would trust your instincts on this one. Do you think the benefit outweighs the risk?

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you for responding, you are so sweet. The thing is, I take Jack to pet smart all the time, I know not all the dogs there are up to date on shots, there are all kinds of dogs there with all different types of owners, I guess what I wonder is if I am diligent with Jack, is he safe. He got tape worms which comes from ingesting a flea, It was the end of the summer and very, very hot here in SC. He was there for a year and a half and never caught anything before that. He is now on Iverheart which deworms them every month as part of his heart guard meds.

 

I just don't know, if Jack being fully protected is enough, He loves it there so much. I just don't know what to do, I can't understand why they don't ask me for shot records, I know I have seen them ask when someone comes to board their dogs but never for daycare.. weird.

You are sweet for responding...

[Camilla and Darwin]

I understand your point completely. Although I do have to point out that it's a little different at Petsmart. When you go through a Petsmart your dog is on leash and under your control. When they are at daycare, they are running and playing in close quarters, drinking out of the same water bowls, etc. I've even heard of dogs eating other dog's feces before the employees have time to pick it up. I do think it's similar to a dog park, and I understand your point in that way. You can't overprotect. :-)

It just seems like if there is a daycare who DOES strictly regulate vaccinations, it would be a better idea. Are there only those two daycare options in your area?

[Jennifer and Jack]

To add to it, the atmosphere at Camp Bow Wow, is very high strung and not relaxed, it is all concrete and no soft areas, so he could be put in a crate at my request for nap time but it is dead smack in the middle of the play group area so it is not relaxing... He hated it. I watched him all day trying to jump up into the teachers arms trying to get away from other dogs, He had no escape

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I stopped taking Fudge to daycare because she started shaking when we walked in the door. I watched her on the monitor and she looked miserable. It just wasn't right for Fudge. For our first dog (years ago) we never even heard of doggie daycare or thought to socialize our dogs, but our Hershey was happy and loved. I think you have to decide if it is worth it to you and Jack. I am a complete germaphobe and just the word "tapeworm" is enough for me to not do it, but it is up to you. I find it hard to believe that a doggie daycare isn't regulated in some way. At the one we go to, you have to have a license and all shot records before they will even think about letting you come. Maybe contact your vet for a second opinion? Good luck.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Plus, I was thinking more about this last night and it seems to me, tapeworms might be the least of your worries, if Jack gets around non-vaccinated dogs. He could get other things and then you might have to incur large vet bills. Just my opinion. I was wondering too, like Camilla, if those two camps are your only options.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Have you talked with the daycare about your concerns with the way they run things? Let them know that you love the atmosphere and encourage the positive about the place but also bring it to  them as in did you know that my Vet said that if I was to take Jack to daycare these are the requirements he would need especially since he has already gotten worms prior. They may just be lazy or may not realize things. If people just leave them with out complaint how will it ever give them the chance to grow or give the other dogs and owners the chance to have a better place to play.

Isn't it a blast watching them play though! I love it.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks for the different perspectives. I am not planning on bringing him back before we see the vet anyway. It is my understanding that the reason dogs are given vaccinations is so that if they are exposed to the disease, they will not get it. What would the point be of getting a vaccine against a disease if it didn't protect him from getting it. Kind of like why would we give our kids shots if they didn't protect etc.

 

As a nurse I know that it is not always 100 percent protection but it is pretty good protection. So I am not clear what the issue is. I would think it would be way more dangerous for the dog who has not had their shots etc, That is why we are told to keep them away from public places until they have had their shots.

 

Okay, while typing this, I called my vet, she said Jack would be covered for the major illnesses, including the flu shot since I get him that every year as well. She said tape worm is not preventable because it comes from ingesting one flea. She said yes, their is a higher rate of fleas there but she also said that the groomers also deals with dogs with fleas etc. She told me Jack would be totally safe from parvo, distemper, etc. He also has his canine cough.

 

His heart protection that I have him on, kills tape worms, so each month, he would naturally be dewormed and he would be safe.

 

For now that is good enough for me. I will allow him to go back until the hot months of summer are in full swing and the fleas are out of control.

 

There are not other dog day care centers within a 30 mile radius of my home. It is Camp Bow Wow which is not something Jack liked at all or this day care center. The thing is, I have asked them if I could help them organize their shot records etc, and they told me they dont' need help because they have a computer system that automatically alerts them when a dog is due for a vaccine. NEVER have they asked for proof from me. So they obviously have glitches.

 

Trust me, Jack is my whole life, especially now that I am stuck home most of the time. I would never want anything to happen to him, that is why I asked for input from you guys.

 

Thank you so much. I pray I make the right decision. I love Jack so much and I want him to have a happy balanced life, and just because he got the equality of "lice" I don't want to ruin a good thing, yet I want to keep him safe.

 

Thanks again

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Makes sense to me. Hope Jack has fun at daycare.