Sweet Dreams

We all hope our pets will be in good hands when we have to leave them --- especially overnight. How can we be sure? Asking the right important questions will assure our pet is receiving the best care!

1) Does your veterinarian recommend this pet care provider? 

2) Do they require vaccines to protect all the pets in their care?

3) Is there a veterinarian on call at all times?

4) How many years have they been in the pet care business? 

5) Are the people you are leaving your pets with knowledgeable, experienced and trained animal professionals?

6) Are cat accommodations separate from the dogs?

7) Each pet has different needs. Do you have the option to customize your pet's stay? 

8) Are you able to select private or group play depending on your dog's preference?

9) Is the location specifically designed for your pet's safety? Clean, safe and free of odor?

10) Did you check for well-maintained fencing and security? 

We would ask similar questions for our children. Pet professionals expect and are prepared to answer these questions as well as provide facility tours. Look for a home away from home to leave your lovable furry family member. At Morris Animal Inn we have over 50 years experience. We invite you to tour our facility. We take special pride in our quality staff. Give us a call and ask us these questions at 973-539-0377 and anything else that is on your mind. We welcome your thoughts and look forward to putting you and your pet's mind at ease so everyone has sweet dreams. We understand every pet is unique and has different needs.

Is Your Dog Vaccinated for Canine Influenza?

If you’ve ever called Morris Animal Inn, you’ve most likely heard, “your dog needs the Canine Influenza Vaccination!”  “Canine Influenza, what is that? My vet didn’t say my dog needed that vaccine!”

It’s true, most vets don’t require the vaccine among their patients, but here’s why we do. Your pet’s health and happiness is always our main concern.

The Canine Influenza is highly contagious and can be transmitted by infected dogs prior to their showing any symptoms. Typically, it is airborne, passed by dog to dog contact, or via people's hands or clothing. Signs closely resemble a common respiratory syndrome known as Canine Cough, and may include:

• Nasal discharge
•  High fever
•  A soft gagging cough of 10-14 days.

80 to 90 percent of those exposed will contract the virus, even if they don’t show symptoms. Approximately 20 percent of the dogs may exhibit additional symptoms such as:

•  Loss of appetite
•  Lethargy
•  And potentially Pneumonia

The dogs most at risk are dogs exposed to places where there are many animals like parks, dog parks, pet stores, dog shows, or kennels. The virus is similar to flu in people where it is the very young and the old that are most severely affected.

The biggest concern is that Canine Influenza is a new virus, and no dogs have immunities against it; the virus is only a decade old in dogs, and mothers don’t pass down antibodies to their pups.

The virus was first identified in racing greyhounds and appears to have been the cause of significant respiratory disease on canine tracks throughout the United States for the last several years. Scientists compared the virus’s DNA with other influenza viruses and the closest match was the H3N8 equine influenza virus, meaning the virus likely jumped from horses to canines at the racetracks.

In 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified Canine Influenza as a “newly emerging pathogen in the dog population.”

The best way to treat the flu is to prevent severe symptoms with the specialized vaccination. We strive for nothing but the best for you and your pup; this is why we require the Canine Influenza vaccine. Your pet's health and happiness is our number one priority, and we will continue to be a leader in the pet care industry to give your pets the best possible care during their time at Morris Animal Inn. Your dog will thank you when he can continue to play while his friends in the neighborhood may be at home sick in bed!

Source: New Jersey Department of Health, The Times Tribune

Do You Need a Puppy Break?

Warm, cuddly, adorable: these adjectives perfectly describe the joy of puppies and are often the driving force behind our motivation to bring these furry bundles of happiness into our lives. However, there may be certain days when you just can’t seem to find the time to keep up with their boundless energy or the messes they leave around your house. Or, you might decide to travel and need a safe place to leave your puppy. Fortunately, we have the perfect solution.

Did you know you can drop your pup off at Morris Animal Inn and we'll take over where you left off? Our specially tailored Puppy Steps Program is designed to meet the needs of your growing little pal. Developed for puppies less than seven months old with their with completed vaccine series, the program strives to supply them with as much attention and activity as they require!

Playful Pups

Does your puppy seem like the Energizer Bunny, a force that never stops moving?  Puppy Steps helps to release all that boundless energy with four business walks on our nature trail to get her young body moving and establish a proper elimination routine. To acclimate your baby pooch to other humans, we also provide two Pampered Pet Sessions that allow her to interact with our staff in a variety of activities from ball time to cuddles. Knowing that puppies’ teeth are still in the process of growing, Room Service will present your pup with a wholesome Bizzy Bone treat that will keep her occupied. In addition to the activities provided by the Puppy Steps Program, if your dog is fully vaccinated, she can participate in group play or come to doggie day care. These outdoor sessions are wonderful ways to socialize your pup with other dogs of the same size and provide a perfect outlet for her go-go-go lifestyle.

Puppy Pounds

Morris Animal Inn recognizes that growing dogs are hungry dogs. Therefore, your budding canine will be provided with up to 3 meals a day on our Puppy Steps Program. Our premium blend Puppy Eukanuba dog food is specially formulated for puppies of either small or large breeds.

Pampered Pups

Everyday of the Puppy Steps Program, your puppy will experience a daily grooming session to familiarize her with the sights, sounds, and smells of the grooming salon. Pups are handled delicately by the grooming staff to help them adjust to the experience.

Reward Yourself and Your Pup

At Morris Animal Inn we understand that introducing a new puppy into your life can be both enriching and exhausting, much like bringing a new baby in your household. Everyone needs a night off, (or a couple!) so allow us to give you a hand. Your pup is guaranteed to be showered with love and attention!

New Year, New Options: Canine Influenza Vaccine

Over the last few years there has been a lot of discussion about Canine Influenza.  More recently, a Canine Influenza Vaccine has been introduced to veterinarians. Morris Animal Inn, in an effort to maintain our status as a leader in the industry, has done extensive research with local veterinarians and Schering Plough, manufacturers of the CIV vaccine. We would like to share the following with you as you make the decision with your veterinarian whether to add the CIV vaccination to your pet’s 2011 list of vaccinations.

Morris Animal Inn has not had any cases of the Canine Influenza; however, there have been cases in New Jersey, so we are taking the potential exposure seriously.

The Canine Influenza is highly contagious and can be transmitted by infected dogs prior to their showing any symptoms. Typically, it is airborne, passed by dog to dog contact, or via people's hands or clothing. The disease is usually mild, accompanied by coughing and sneezing similar to the typical Canine Cough. The main concern is for approximately 20% of the dogs that may exhibit additional symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, nasal discharge, fever, and potentially, pneumonia.

Based on discussions with area veterinarians and representatives from Schering Plough, our recommendation is that all our customers' dogs be vaccinated for Canine Influenza; however, we are not mandating it at this time. You should consult with your veterinarian to determine if the vaccine is appropriate for your dog.

Canine Influenza Vaccine

It is important to keep in mind that the current vaccine is not a preventative, and even a properly vaccinated dog, when exposed, will still contract the virus. The vaccine is designed to reduce the severity of the disease, the length of time the dog is sick and the complications that are brought on by secondary bacterial infections. The vaccine is a two injection series and becomes effective after 30 days.

Hopefully, your pet(s) will never contract Canine Influenza, but if your dog exhibits symptoms, it is important that you consult with your veterinarian promptly. Due to the nature of this virus, regardless of how diligent we are in cleaning and screening protocols, it may be impossible to totally prevent in the future. That said, we want to assure you that your pet’s health and happiness is always our main concern.

Morris Animal Inn wishes you and your family a happy, healthy New Year!

Pet Health Insurance 101

September is national Pet Insurance Month, making it a perfect time to discuss your options as a pet owner.

If you're reading this, then your dog or cat is probably a beloved member of your family and you want the best for them. If you want to provide your pet with high quality healthcare throughout his or her life, pet health insurance deserves a good look. And since you can't buy health insurance for your dog or cat when  you really need it most, in an emergency, now is the time to examine the options that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Your Options
There are more and more pet health insurance options available to consumers each day. And like human health insurance, pet insurance coverage can vary widely. Classic pet health insurance is meant to cover expensive, unplanned events. There are monthly premiums and a variety of deductible choices, different coverage levels, co-pays and caps that limit the total yearly or lifelong payouts. These policies may exclude older dogs, certain breeds, genetic conditions and pre-existing conditions. Fortunately, there are often discounts for covering multiple pets from the same household.

Basic types of pet health insurance include:

• wellness (preventative services like vaccines, check-ups, blood tests at set fee)
• prescription drug
• cancer treatment
• alternative therapies
• accidental death. 

There is also a wide range of variations on these basic coverage types. From dental care and catastrophic care to acupuncture and lost pet recovery, pet health insurance options are out there for the taking. Of course, the costs for these plans vary significantly. 

Veterinarian Tim Banker believes that although pet healthcare can effectively mitigate high-tech veterinary expenses, it is underutilized. One possible reason is the persistence of stories about insurance companies that fail to provide expected coverage. The minutia of paperwork involved in properly filing claims can result in missing payments. The good news is that vet offices are becoming more adept at properly filing these claims on their clients' behalf. 

Here are our recommendations for finding the right care for your pet:

1. Consider your pet's health, age, predisposition to accidents and risk of inherited diseases to help determine what level of coverage you will need.

2. Get price quotes from each company that appears to offer the coverage your pet requires. Here are a few companies to consider:

AKC Pet Healthcare Plan, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Embrace Pet Insurance, Pet Assure Corporation, PetFirst Healthcare, PetHealth, Inc., Petplan USA, Pets Best Insurance, PurinaCare, Trupanion Pet Insurance,Veterinary Pet Insurance

3. Ask your veterinarian which pet health insurance s/he recommends.

4. If your dog is diagnosed with a condition, make sure to renew coverage on time each year so it isn't excluded as a pre-existing condition. 

With some careful pet health insurance research and planning, you and your pet can celebrate many happy birthdays together.