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| Daisy, world’s most expensive mutt! And worth it! |
Earlier this summer, we left our dog, Daisy, home from vacation. She’s a great companion, but some vacations aren’t pet-friendly. Two days before travel, she threw up a few times and had lost her spunk. We took her to the vet, who diagnosed her illness as a doggie virus and provided some anti-nausea medicine.
The vet was wrong — though only because the tell-tale symptoms had not yet developed. Daisy actually had HGE: hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, a severe illness in dogs that sometimes leads to death. Fortunately for Daisy, her pet sitter immediately contacted the vet (thanks to the anti-nausea medication that had our vet’s information) and sought
treatment. Not only that, he spent the weekend feeding her baby food rice and chicken. He sure went above and beyond to nurse her back to good health. By the time we got home, she was almost back to her spunky, fun-loving self! Following up with the vet when we returned, she said our friend’s quick action saved Daisy’s life.
Until this incident, I never considered creating a dog care guide before travel. While I adore my dog, I figured all a pet sitter needs is food bowl, leash, treats, food and toys. She’s a dog, after all, not a little person. Now I realize that Daisy’s medical information is important too. When we leave her, we include the vet’s business card and specific care expectations with everything else. I sure hope she doesn’t get sick again, but if she does, now her dog care guide provides her pet sitter with the proper information to help her.
Dog Care Guide:
- Food and feeding instructions (amount of food, when to feed)
- Treats
- Favorite toys
- Bed or blanket
- Water bowl and food bowl
- Leash
- Collar, including rabies vaccination tag (in the unlikely event that your dog is involved in a biting incident)
- Vet info! Our vet allowed Daisy’s pet sitter to take her for treatment and saved the billing for us. If your vet requires payment at the time of service, discuss how this will be provided with your dog’s pet sitter.
- Tell your pet sitter how much you are willing to spend to save your dog. Some illnesses and injuries are quite expensive to treat. Daisy’s HGE treatment cost more than $500. (YIKES)
Leaving my gun dog to the care of a pet sitter a few years ago while out on a business trip was the worst decision I could have taken. My dog got sick with the sitter. I was devastated to see him scratching aggressively. Taking bud to a vet and getting him on a treatment that lasted for three months was quite gruelling. The Pet sitter had the guts to post a few pics of him with Bud in the infected harness on facebook; not to mention he had an earful from me after that. Daizy has been lucky to have a considerate Pet sitter. And yes the list of yours is sticking right there on my Do’s anytime I leave Bud with another pet sitter who has a good reputation in the area.
I would have been a total mess while on vacation. So glad Daisy is doing well. My dogs are older now so I don't like to leave them. We are taking a trip this weekend and driving so they can come with us.
We are glad Daisy is okay, too! She's our sweetie.
And Mrs. T, happy to help. I would never have considered vet info before this trip. Not for a two year old dog, anyway!
Karen
Thank you for this list. Every time we go away I double and triple check my “brain” to make sure we do not miss anything for our “puppy” Roxie. With this list it will make it a lot easier for me to gather the information I need. I can leave home without having to worry I forgot something! Thanks
That's pretty scary. I'd hate for that to happen to Ellie or Doug. I'm so glad Daisy's okay!