Along with our yellow lab, Drake, we have a 5 year old German Shorthair Pointer named Molly. Molly loves to upland bird hunt and her athletic ability and nose are astounding!
With the PA season opener of pheasant approaching we wanted to get Molly out a little more and decided to take her waterfowl hunting with us the week of duck season. As every dog owner knows the best training for a dog is in the field. Plus it helps with stamina and exposure. On this particular day, it became one of a dog owner’s worst-case scenarios. An injury in the field can be devastating to you as an owner and to the dog who is all heart, loves what they do, and can’t understand why they aren’t able to continue their run, chase or retrieve.
Molly was chasing down a wood duck that Don’s son had shot. On her way back we noticed her limping. We thought perhaps she hyper-extended her leg on a rock. A close inspection revealed that she had a laceration on the front left pad of her foot. The cold water did help contain some of the bleeding but our hunt for the day ended in order to return home and take care of one of our devoted and loved hunting companions. We returned home and washed the laceration out with iodine and water. Then applied an antibiotic ointment.
Molly training at the Lake.
Prior to this I had discussed with Don that we should have or make up a first aid kit for the dogs and us for that matter in case of an emergency in the field. Perhaps we would not have to use it but I would rather be prepared and not use it than not be perpared and need it. Well, I never got around to it before the injury occurred to Molly. Needless to say we now have a first aid kit that is carried in our vehicle.I got on line that day and ordered a kit from Cabela’s. The “Sporting Dog First Aid Kit”. Not only does this kit include items directed specifically for our canine companions, but it can be beneficial for us as well. The kit includes:
- A first aid book for dogs, Skin staple gun
- Cold pack, Hydrogen peroxide
- Eye wash, Thermometer
- Flexible cohesive wrap
- Alcohol prep pads
- Gauze pads & 3 ply towels
- Iodine solution, Saline solution
- Stainless steel scissors & Forceps
- Surgical scrub brush & syringe
- Hydrocortisone cream & first aid ointment
- Cotton swabs & cotton balls
- Latex gloves and Iodine pads
Footpad injuries can be very serious for dogs. Especially if not treated properly. Depending on the severity, it may be necessary to seek Veterinary care. Whether the cut is mild or severe they should be taken care of immediately. Cleaning and bandaging to stop the bleeding is foremost. Down time, although is both hard for your dog and you not to have them tag along in the field, is probably the MOST important of all treatments. Should the pad not heal correctly, it can cause prolonged downtime and a list of other trickle down effects as serious as tendon and ligament problems. As a dog’s downtime is extended so is the conditioning which can impede performance. A pad that is not healed fully can reopen, become deeper, infected or even worse, and NEVER heal correctly.
Unfortunately, Molly missed the opening day of pheasant season this year. She is recovering with an ointment salve and very limited activity. Her pad is healing up pretty good but still is a little sore. We would love to have her out in the field this Fall for pheasants but at the same time don’t want to cause any serious damage or have her re-injure her foot. We would rather be safe than sorry, so we may have to wait until January to take her out for grouse.
So, do yourself a favor...if you don’t have a first aid kit, you owe it to yourself and you’re canine to be prepared for the unexpected. Fortunately this incident wasn’t life threatening for Molly. But a kit could help save your dog’s life or even your own.
Until next time! Teresa
Molly and I on a previous pheasant hunt.
No comments:
Post a Comment