Dog Health

All dogs using the park are required to have a pooch pass. This ensures that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, and distemper, although rabies is the only vaccination required by law. Again, one would expect that anyone who cares enough to buy their dog a pooch pass would be responsible enough to keep their dogs vaccinations up to date. Although not required at this time the following are a few recommendations you may want to consider talking to your vet about:

Veterinary Records. owners should have a copy of their veterinary record at home in case of an incident (required by animal control)

Lymes disease vaccination. Although not required by law, Lymes disease is on the increase in the United States and has been seen in this area of the country. It is a bacterial disease carried by the deer tick. It not only effects dogs but humans as well leading to severe sequela including arthritis, fever, lethargy, and neurologic disorders.

Although the "off leash" area may be treated for ticks and fleas regularly, you may want to consult with your veterinarian about the advantages of this vaccination.

Kennel cough. Although not required by law, this is a disease which is transmitted from one dog to another and is highly contagious. All dogs who are boarded are required to have this vaccination. Because of the highly social nature of the dog park, your dog is likely to come into contact with a number of dogs whose history is unknown to you. Vaccinating your dog against this should help to protect it. Please contact your vet for further information.

Fleas. There are a number of products available on the market for flea control, including collar, tablets, shampoos and topical medications. Some of these may prevent your dog from getting fleas, while others may be effecting in getting rid of the fleas once your dog is infested with them. Humans may also be bitten by fleas. Some individuals can be allergic to flea bites. Although the park may be treated for fleas, dogs may be exposed to fleas through contact with other dogs at the park. Consult your veterinarian about flea prevention and control.

Insurance. It is recommended for the dog owners protection that they check with their home owners or renter insurance to ensure that they are covered should there be an incident involving their dog. They will be responsible for damages.

Arthritis. Though not directly related to dog park health issues, arthritis is a major concern for many pet owners. There are many good therapies available for the treatment of arthritis available today, however Rimadyl, a highly publicized medicine for the treatment of arthritis has recently shown some devastating side effects for dogs. For more information, please read a reprinted Wall St. Journal article at DogLogic.com. Note that there is a class-action lawsuit being pursued against the drug's manufacturer.