Updated 12/3/2023

News Reports of Mystery Illness 

We are aware of the news reports regarding a mystery illness that has affected dogs across the country. We are monitoring the reports closely and are in communication with our veterinary partners in the community to see if it presents in our area.  

​

Please know that at Champ's we take your dog's health seriously.  In addition to our stringent vaccination requirements, we also, follow a strict cleaning schedule.  Our water bowls are disinfected and changed every hour and at the end of each shift our play areas are disinfected with an enzymatic cleaner. 

 

Here are links two stories related to the illness that offer some insight into what vets are saying about the illness:

​

NPR 

NBC NEWS

​

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to use to discuss any concerns.

​

Previous Posts

Health & Wellness at the End of Boarding Season 

Papilloma - We have had two confirmed cases of papilloma from daycare dogs that have been in our care in the past week. Papillomas typically develop on the lips, tongue, throat or gums. They are round and have an irregular surface, reminiscent of a cauliflower and usually grow in clusters. Most dogs are asymptomatic unless the papillomas become infected. Infected oral papillomas can cause pain, swelling and bad breath.  They are also highly contagious.  If your dog presents any symptoms please contact your vet to make an appointment and keep us posted. For more information on papilloma click here. 

​

K-9 Flu - We are still hearing from some of our clients that the K-9 Flu Vaccine is out of stock.  We did present our clients with a 30 day waiver if this is the case.  Please continue to check with your vet as some of those waivers are expired or will be expiring soon.  If your vet does not have the vaccine we are asking that go through the waiver process again and have your vet sign the K-9 Flu Vaccine Waiver.  This can be obtained at the front desk.  

 

K-9 Influenza Vaccine Shortage (April 2023) 

Recently we've been informed about the shortage of canine Influenza vaccines in the surrounding area.  We have been in communication with the vets we partner with and while some vets are experiencing this temporary shortage we encourage all of our clients to explore all options to keep their dogs vaccinated.  Some of our vets have received new shipments as well as clinics in the surrounding area.

 

Should you not be able to get your dog vaccinated for canine influenza please provide a letter from your vet. We will offer a 30 day waiver for daycare  and boarding clients. 

​

This waiver will acknowledge that your pet is out of date of the canine influenza vaccine and despite all precautions taken by Champs, you will acknowledge the risks associated with bringing your dog for boarding and daycare.

​

Should a dog test positive for canine influenza we will update clients here.  For more information about our wellness updates click here.​

​

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A TRUE EMERGENCY CONTACT that is not traveling with you in case of an emergency and your champion needs to be picked up.  

​

Please be advised that this update applies specifically to our Daycare and Boarding clients. For more information about our emergency pick up policy click here. 

​

We will continue to update you regularly so you can continue to make informed decisions about your Champion.  

 

If you are reading this it's because your Champion is a regular at Champ's Dog House and we are committed to the health and wellness of all our Champions.  It is our goal to communicate things we feel you should keep look out for that could negatively impact the health of your beloved furry family member.  

The good news is that under normal circumstances the risk level is fairly low and worst case scenarios typically involve a straight forward treatment plan as advised by your vet. 

​

We remain stringent in maintaining our Champions are vaccinated and that routine cleaning is performed consistently.  In the event that something like this sneaks into our ecosystem, we do everything we can to communicate early and often.   You will receive updated texts and emails if you have been with us recently or have a scheduled appointment with us.  

 

If your Champion seems lethargic, has a loss of appetite,  has a cough or something just seems off....

 

WHEN IN DOUBT GET EM' CHECKED OUT & LET US KNOW!! 

​

If your dog is boarding with us we need a TRUE, LOCAL EMERGENCY CONTACT in case your dog presents with an upper respiratory infection while boarding with us as we will require your emergency contact to pick up your champion.  

​

Please know we do not take the care and overall well-being of your Champion lightly!  One of the downsides of a socially active dog is communicable illness such as upper respiratory infections. Know we are more aggressive than ever with obtaining vaccines, cleaning and communication.

 

We look forward to getting this out of system and getting Champ's life back to normal for as long as possible.  Know that this will happen again.  Even when communicable illness is not apparent we stay vigilant in identifying it and are ready to take quick action.  

 

We truly apologize for the inconvenience, but put your dog's health first!  Thank you for your understanding. 

 

Should you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at 856-229-1177 and read the page below for more information. 

​

We want to educate you on the following in hopes of:

​

• Identifying any concerns as early as possible 

• Treat at your vet promptly 

• Communicate any concerns to us (so we can share with our team and other owners)

• Isolate when in doubt keep your possible sick pup at home

​

The concerns listed below are not unique to Champ's.  Treatment plans may vary, please see your vet for specific treatment options for your dog. Here are some things to watch for that are communicable: ​

​