Kennel Management
Deepandita Barman1 and Arunoday Das2 1Assistant Professor, LPM Department, LCVSC, Assam Agricultural University 2Assistant Professor, ARGO Department, LCVSC, Assam Agricultural University
DOG KENNEL
A high standard of kennel management is essential to maintain the dogs at an optimum level of health so that they are able to perform their duties efficiently. Whenever the circumstances permit, it is always desirable to build, permanent kennels but normally this with be an economic proposition only in training establishments and Static installation employing a number of dogs. In cases of paucity of space, pre-fabricated kennels of Fiber Glass Panel and Stainless Steel can be constructed. These pre-fabricated kennels can be housed in a build concrete structure or in pre-fabricated insulated porta cabins. It is usual to group permanent kennels into blocks, depending on the number of kennels required; these might be either single or double. Where double blocks are built they may be erected back-to-back or separated by a central passage. A tick channel should be constructed, running all round the permanent kennels. This channel should be filled with water. This precaution is necessary to prevent the ticks from crawling into the kennels. Each kennel must be supplied with a sleeping board raised a few inches off the ground. If dogs are made to sleep on concrete floors many cases of rheumatism and accompany laments will result. The sleeping board must be removable so that it can be taken out and scrubbed regularly. Kennel should have proper drainage system. The slope of the kennel floor should be such that all water runs into gutters, which connected with traps outside the blocks. It is most important that no stagnant water or sewage is allowed to collect inside he kennels or blocks. A proper system of ventilation must be adopted which while ensuring a constant change of air does not introduce draughts and proper circulation of fresh air is ensured.
KENNEL HYGIENE
Kennels should be thoroughly cleaned daily and all soiled bedding and excreta removed and burnt. Sleeping board should be scrubbed with soap and water once a week and due care taken so that they are completely dry before being returned to kennels. Any excessive dampness may induce symptom of rheumatism, an ailment to which dogs are particularly prone. When floors have been washed or hosed as much of the surface water as possible should be brushed into the drains, and dogs should be put back in into the kennels only after the kennels are completely dry.
The use of disinfectants is not necessary, except as deodorants, unless specifically required for control of contagious or infectious diseases. As dogs are very susceptible to carbolic poisoning, the carbolic group of disinfectants must not be used. Use of Phenyl is prohibited.
All excreta should be regularly removed from the exercising grounds in the vicinity of the kennels and burnt. If the supply permits, the area should be disinfected with quick lime each year or as and when required. The ground around temporary kennels should be raked over daily and gravel or sand added as required.
DISINFECTING OF KENNELS
Whenever the presence of an infectious or contagious disease has been confirmed, or even suspected, thorough disinfections of the individual kennel concerned or the whole kennel block, if ”disease is wide spread, must be vigorously carried out. For disinfecting the kennels some reliable liquid disinfectant must be employed. The disinfectant properties, of the sun and air must not be overlooked and full advantage should be taken of them.
All walls, floors and ironwork should be thoroughly washed with disinfectant. Movable items such as sleeping boards and feeding utensils should be scrubbed and left out in the sun to dry. Use of bleaching powder (3-10% solution)/washing soda is ideal especially when viral infections suspected.
Grooming brushes should be soaked for several hours in a 3% solution of cresol. Rugs may be scrubbed with soap and water or soaked in 3% cresol solution and dried in the sun.
All articles, which have been soaked in a disinfectant solution, must be washed in clean water several times before drying.
It should be borne in mind that white wash itself has little or no disinfectant properties and its application to walls should be withheld until they have been disinfected by some other means. Even after a kennel has been disinfected it is advisable, where the circumstances permit, to leave it empty for a period of fourteen days.
TICK CONTROL:
Control of ticks is of vital importance. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites, which attach themselves to the skin for varying periods of time.
During grooming and on their return from exercise, dogs should be thoroughly ‘de-ticked’. Ticks are most frequently found around the head, especially in the ears and the fold of the earflap, on the muzzle, between the toes and to a lesser degree on other parts of the body. Great care must be exercised in their removal, as, if roughly pulled off, the head may remain embedded in the skin with results in abscess formation. They are best removed with forceps. However, with care and practice they can be removed quite efficiently with the fore finger and thumb. Once removed, they should be placed in a container containing kerosene and burnt when the operation is completed.
To prevent the entry of ticks into kennels each permanent kennel block should have concrete tick channel filled with water all-around, at least two meters beyond the kennels. All vegetation within 3 to 4 meters of the kennels must be cleaned by burning. In areas where fire risk precludes burning, liquid insecticides can be sprayed on the vegetation. The kennels themselves must be regularly disinfected particular attention being paid to crevices and cracks in the concrete. Blowlamps will be found of good value in dealing with these sites.
TEMPRATURE CONTROL OF KENNELS
- Management in Hot Areas.
Management of kennels in hot areas is very important. Depending upon the local temperature and weather conditions like humidity, option of air coolers /air conditioners for regulating the kennel temperature must be considered.
- Management in cold area:
Management of dogs in extreme cold environments do not pose any special problems as they withstand the cold pretty well. Any form of artificial heating is quite unnecessary and its use should be confined solely to puppies and hospital kennels. It is of the utmost importance that, during training dogs are hardened to withstand the rigorous conditions of active service. The introduction of artificial heating to kennels would not only retard this process but also might result in the lowering of the body’s resistance to cold and thus increase the incidence of sickness. Provided the kennel has been properly constructed, the natural thickening of the coat in winter, plus the addition of bedding, should be sufficient to maintain the body heat. Thin-coated dogs may require the added warmth provided by a blanket or a dog coat.
However physical strain on the body of dogs in extreme cold and likelihood of respiratory disorders can never be ruled out. Photosensitization, loss of appetite, and breathlessness on sustained working schedule are commonly observed. Bleeding from the footpads is occasionally seen in dogs during initial deployment for one to two weeks and afterwards the footpads are suitably hardened.
The following aspects should be borne in mind when managing dogs in high altitude and extreme temperatures:-
(a) If temperature inside kennels is regulated, extreme cold clothing is not required.
(b) Flooring should preferably be of wood instead of concrete.
(c) Kennels should be kept perfectly dry.
(d) Dogs should be entered into kennel rooms only after they have been fully dried and groomed and special care of the footpads taken while grooming by use of foot powder.
(e) Kennels should be so sited near the hill cliff so that winds and draught are avoided.
(f) During acclimatization, training and work, making the snowballs at regular intervals helps in locating starting point.
(g) Food and water should be given at body temperature.
(h) Exposure to bright sunshine and rains/snow should be avoided if possible.
(i) Older dogs require constant monitoring of the urinary and respiratory system disorders.
(j) While inducting in high altitude area proper acclimatization should be done to avoid pulmonary edema.
DOG CLOTHING
To protect from rain and snow dog coat should be provided to dog. This coat consists of a waterproof material externally and on the inside, is lined with a woolen rug. This provides protection against rain, snow, breeze and cold. This dog coat should be marked with the number of the dog so that it does not get exchanged.
DOG BEDDING
The provision of bedding is not essential and its use should be restricted to giving additional warmth in cold weather. In cold weathers each dog should be issued two blankets and one darri.
These blankets should be thoroughly brushed daily to remove all dirt and adhering hairs; during dry weather, it should be spread out on the ground and exposed to sun regularly. When their use is no longer desired they should be scrubbed with soap and water and dried before returning them to store.
