Welcoming a beloved pet into your home is a joyous occasion, and ensuring their health and well-being is paramount. For pet owners, particularly those with animals requiring specialized care, finding a suitable boarding facility can be a challenge. This guide outlines the criteria for veterinary medical boarding, focusing on pets with specific health conditions that necessitate continuous monitoring and medication. The primary aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment for pets who may not thrive in standard boarding facilities. This information is crucial for owners who need to travel or require temporary care for their pets due to ongoing medical needs.
Conditions Eligible for Veterinary Medical Boarding
Veterinary medical boarding is designed for pets with specific health concerns that require consistent medical attention. Animals with the following conditions are typically permitted to board:
- Heart Disease: Pets requiring regular medication for cardiac conditions.
- Diabetes: Diabetic animals needing daily insulin injections or other management.
- Epilepsy: Dogs and cats prone to seizures requiring monitoring and medication.
- Hyperthyroidism: Pets managed with medication for an overactive thyroid.
- Addison’s Disease: Animals requiring ongoing treatment for this endocrine disorder.
- Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) / Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): Conditions that often require close monitoring and specific treatments.
- Renal Patients on SC Fluids: Pets with kidney disease receiving subcutaneous fluid therapy.
- Complicated Nursing Needs: This includes animals requiring specialized care such as:
- Megaesophagus (requiring elevated feeding).
- Assistance with mobility, such as sling walking or being transported in a cart.
- “Down dogs” or those with significant mobility impairments.
- Neurologically compromised patients requiring specific handling.
- Recently Hospitalized Patients: Pets whose owners are temporarily out of town and who would normally be discharged around that time, but still require monitoring.
- Uncontrolled or Monitoring Disease Processes: This category includes pets, such as cats at risk of re-blocking, who have recently been hospitalized and whose conditions are still being managed or require close observation.
- Oral Chemotherapy Patients: Pets currently undergoing treatment with oral chemotherapy medications.
It is important to note that for the time being, exotic pets cannot be accommodated due to a limited number of veterinarians with specialized expertise in treating them. The boarding of aggressive animals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the ICU Manager and a dedicated boarding committee. This committee will collaborate with the attending veterinarians to determine the best course of action, which may include administering anxiolytics or sedatives to ensure the pet’s comfort and safety during their stay.
Boarding Costs and Scheduling
Understanding the financial commitment is essential. The cost for medical boarding is $172 per day. Additionally, there is a supplementary charge of $12 for each medication administration per day. This means that if a pet requires one medication three times a day, the daily cost would be $172 (base boarding) + $36 (three administrations) = $208 per day. This structure ensures that pets receive the appropriate level of care and attention for their specific medical needs.
To request boarding, clients have two convenient options:
- Phone: Leave a message at (650) 209-9385.
- Email: Send an email through the provided contact link.
All patients must have a current physical examination on file to be eligible for boarding. This ensures that the veterinary team has the most up-to-date information about the pet’s health status.
For individuals with healthy pets seeking boarding services, it is recommended to explore the numerous excellent local boarding facilities available in the Bay Area. These facilities are well-equipped to care for healthy animals. As many of these establishments cannot cater to sick pets or those with complex medical conditions and medication regimens, veterinary medical boarding is reserved specifically for pets with these specialized requirements. Your understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated.
