By Bert Gaddis, Jr. D.V.M.

Managing a kennel for one dog or a hundred is critical to the health of those animals and the people in the area. There are numerous areas that must be managed including parasites, odors, safety, security, providing food, water, bedding, shelter and insect control. The design of a kennel lends efficiency to many of the management factors.

In the warm months odor is a big problem for most kennels. One of the biggest factors controlling odor is keeping the area clean. Picking up the stools on a daily basis is the obvious the first step and most helpful in odor as well as insect (fly) control. What to do with this waste is a matter of choice. One of the easiest options for backyard kennels is bagging the waste and placement in the garbage for pickup. Another option is setting up a mini septic tank by digging a hole in a remote area of the yard for placement of the waste. Kits for this doggy septic system are readily available. Another helpful task to control odor is to wash down a concrete kennel with at least water if not a detergent or disinfectant. Clorox is one of the better and least expensive disinfectants that are readily available. A dilution of 1 part Clorox in 32 parts water will kill many bacteria and viruses. Control of odor in a dirt or gravel kennel is more difficult to deal with. Deodorant concentrates can be helpful but only cover the odor. Lime products can be dangerous if not applied properly-follow package recommendations.

Insect control is approached by several different methods. Control of flies can be frustrating and usually requires several products. Commercial flytraps, actually a bag with bait that water is added to, work well but several are usually needed. Hanging sticky, fly strips are another method to help with fly control. Placement of fans to keep air moving is helpful to limit fly bite dermatitis on the ear tips of dogs. Fans also help to keep the animal cooler, lessening the possibility of heat related problems. Fleas can be another major insect problem leading to discomfort and skin problems. These days the most effective, longest lasting and safest flea control products are available from your regular veterinarian. Frontline‚ Advantage‚ or Advantix‚ are products that are applied once monthly to the skin at the base of the neck and along the top of the back. Ticks are effectively controlled with Frontline‚ or Advantix‚. A supplementary flea and tick control would be to spray the kennel area and perimeter with an outdoor insecticide. These products are usually available at lawn and garden stores and label directions should be carefully followed.

Fresh water must be available at all times, especially in the hot summer months. If water buckets are used metal work best. Plastic food or water dishes can cause loss of pigmentation to the nose. Bowls should be cleaned and disinfected at least once every week. Automatic watering systems are another way to provide fresh water. Providing fresh food is a matter of choices – self-feeders or daily rations. Self-feeders work fine with some dogs but many will over eat and become obese. Self-feeding can also delay detection of illness because it is harder to monitor daily feed consumption. I prefer daily feeding (once or twice each day) because you know exactly what your dog eats and can change the amount as needed for changes in activity. If weight gain or loss becomes a problem adjusting the feed accordingly is easily accomplished.

Safety and security of your kennel would vary depending on your location and perhaps, value of the dogs in the kennel. Concerns for safety and security in metropolitan areas would primarily involve escape from the kennel. Injuries from running loose or being hit by a car are far to common in these less than "street wise" dogs. Escape may be of less concern in more rural kennels. Positive identification of dogs can be achieved in several ways. Every dog should have engraved ID tags on collars and wear the collar at all times. No one has every "planned" when his or her dog gets lost. Microchipping is an unalterable method to positively ID a dog. A simple injection places the chip under the skin, between the shoulder blades. The chips are registered so that lost dogs can be returned to their owner. Another method to ID dogs is tattooing however no effective registration system exists for returning them to the owner.

Bedding and shelter requirements vary depending on the time of year. In the warmer months, providing shade is most important to minimize heat related problems. A doghouse, of appropriate size, will provide shelter from thunderstorms in the warm seasons and to cold weather in the winter. In the cold months bedding such as old blankets or fresh straw should be used to help ward off the cold. Bedding, when used, should be changed as it gets soiled to help control parasites and odor as well as good skin health.

Parasite control includes those internally (worms) and externally (fleas and ticks). Heartworm and internal worms can often be controlled with the same product. Heartworm disease can be a real performance (and dog) killer. This disease affects the heart function but can be easily prevented with regular medications. The best advise is to consult with your regular veterinarian as to which products they recommend.

Dr. Bert Gaddis, a veterinarian, is owner of Indian Springs Animal Clinic located at 1583 Cahaba Valley Road across from Indian Springs School. Questions can be sent to ISACVETS@aol.com.