R. Michael DiLullo

Basic Field Care for Gun Dogs

Many years ago a high school buddy and I spent a Saturday afternoon working his German short hair pointer in a small woodcock covert located in northern New Jersey. Having very little luck, we decided to explore a new area in search of some grouse. Shortly after coming upon an old home site we noticed his dog favoring its front foot which was bleeding. An inspection of the big dog’s foot revealed a large gash just behind the pad. We immediately hiked back to my father’s truck, which was some distance away.

At the truck the dog appeared to be becoming weaker, I search the truck for a first aid kit but only came up with an old rag, some newspaper and a roll of electrical tape. We cleaned the wound with some water and the newspaper then wrapped it tightly with the rag and used the tape to secure the makeshift bandage. We raced off to the veterinarian’s office, being a Saturday afternoon we only hoped he would still be there. The vet was closed and just about to leave for the afternoon as we pulled into his driveway. The dog was immediately put under and received emergency surgery for a severed artery. I assisted the doctor, as his assistant had already gone home and my friend wanted to wait outside. The vet told me that the dog would have died had we not reacted the way we did or gotten him to help in time.

Ever since that day, I always carry a loaded first aid kit in my SUV. If we are going to be some distance from the truck, or out in a boat I will also carry a small canine first aid kit in my vest. Over those twenty some years I have rarely ever used it, but having a first aid kit along and knowing how to use it if needed provides confidence and acts as insurance policy should an emergency arise.

Anyone who spends time in the outdoors should carry some kind of first aid equipment, but even more important than the first aid kit is the basic knowledge of what to do in a medical emergency. Would you know what to do if your hunting partner (human) suddenly grabbed his chest and fell to the ground? Most people don’t know how to react, and with the exception of what they have seen on TV, would start beating on the person’s chest, usually doing more harm than good. Everyone, especially outdoorsmen, should take a basic first aid and CPR class at least once. Most of the first aid techniques you will learn can also be used to treat your canine partner in the field. The training will give you confidence and help you deal with an accident while afield. Many times people will panic at this critical time, known to Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) as the “Golden hour”. In an emergency, you only have a certain amount of time to react to the situation in which the outcome can be effected. Your decisions, actions or lack of will determine that outcome. Along with the training you will gain the knowledge and confidence enabling you to take action quickly and hopefully be able to get your partner to the advanced medical care he requires.

	EMT GelTM has become an essential part of the gundog enthusiast's first-aid kit.

Gun dog owners need to be aware of the hazards a hard working gun dog can encounter while afield. Environmental exposure, geographical and manmade elements of the landscape and encounters with other animals can all threaten your dog’s well-being. Proper field care should start long before the hunting season ever begins. Preseason conditioning can go a long way to preventing serious injuries such as muscle pulls or tears. Exercising and conditioning your dog will also help to acclimatize him to the type of climate you will be hunting in.

Hunting in extreme weather conditions can contribute to specific injuries and illnesses. In cold weather conditions hypothermia and frostbite symptoms can occur quickly. In hot early season conditions dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common threats. Each environmental condition poses specific threats and dog owners must be both familiar with the symptoms of each and know how to treat them accordingly. Knowledge is always a key element in helping to prevent environmental threats. If you are hunting in cold weather, especially waterfowling, a neoprene vest is essential to helping keep your dog warm. Upland hunting in snow or freezing conditions may require the use of booties on your dog’s feet. At the other end of the spectrum, early season hot weather hunts will require more frequent rest and water breaks. Stopping in shaded areas will help your dog cool down faster and having a supply of water on hand is a necessity. However, water should always be carried afield while hunting.

All outdoorsmen should have and know how to use basic first aid equipment. The Author keeps well supplied kits for both humans and canines in his SUV. He also carries a smaller version on him while afield. Photo by: Author

Because of the environment in which most hunting takes place, there are always hidden threats lurking about. Farmlands, abandoned homesteads, fence-lines and hedgerows all seem to attract and hold upland game bird species. But, these areas can also contain inconspicuous objects that can pose a threat to your dog. Barbwire fencing, broken glass, discarded metal, nails and other sharp objects can puncture or cut a dog’s skin. Many old farms and abandoned home sites contain old dumpsites or areas of accumulated trash, which can pose a serious threat to a dog running in that area.

Naturally, occurring organic objects such as sharp rocks, broken branches, thorns and briars can also cause injuries to your dog. Several times throughout their hunting careers, my springers have needed sutures to close deep lacerations caused by barbwire and once my older female, “Bess”, received a very long gash along her ribs from a sharp cedar branch, which she had brushed-up against while running after a rooster pheasant.

Sharp thorns and briars can also pose a threat, specifically to a dog’s eyes. Injured eyes should be washed with water, saline or an eyewash solution. Eye injuries need a veterinarian’s attention, as it is very hard for the layperson to tell the true extent of eye damage. Immersion in contaminated water while hunting can also cause eye infections. Special antibiotic creams are available from your veterinarian and can easily be administered to each eye after the hunt.
Waterfowling, especially in small beaver ponds can also expose dogs to waterborne bacterial infections such as leptospirosis. Leptospirosis, known to early North American trappers as “Beaver fever”, is caused by a build-up of rodent urine in the water, which is very common in beaver ponds. The bacterium enters the skin through a cut or orifice, or is ingested.

Hunting can also expose your dog to other less noticeable hazards such as carrion, other dogs and wild animal feces and encounters with both domestic and wild animals, all of which have the potential of leading to an infection from a host of communicable diseases. Viral and bacterial infections such as ademovirus, bordetella bronchiseptica infection, brucellosis, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvo, neonatal canine herpesvirus and trench mouth are but a few of the more common diseases out there. Again, annual vaccinations can help to prevent these illnesses.

Thorns and briars can also cause skin infections and abbesses if not removed or treated. Small cuts or tears to an ear may bleed heavily and be slow to heal. As with all cuts or lacerations, clean the wound with fresh water and apply an antiseptic. If a small wound continues to bleed try covering the wound with a dressing and applying pressure for several minutes. You can also apply one of the septic powders or gels that are specially designed to stop bleeding, such as the new EMT Gel. These products are available from most pet suppliers. For larger more serious wounds requiring sutures, several safety pins can be used to close the wound until the dog can be transported to an animal hospital. Only apply a dressing after most of the bleeding has subsided. If the wound is large and an artery or vein has been injured, a tourniquet may be necessary, depending on the location of the wound. Always try to control bleeding with pressure first. If a tourniquet is required due to an injured vein or artery (blood is bright red and spurts with each heartbeat), place the tourniquet between the wound and the heart. A tourniquet can quickly be made from anything from a bootlace to a rope lead and a broken branch. After wrapping the wound (if possible) with a bandage, apply the tourniquet around the appendage; use the piece of branch to tighten it in a twisting manor. Tighten the tourniquet until the bleeding subsides. Loosen the tourniquet every 10 minutes for 10 seconds, and transport to an animal hospital as quickly as possible.

Certain regional plants and vegetation can also cause serious problems for gun dogs. “Foxtails” and “Cheat grass,” among others, can enter a dog’s body through the skin or be inhaled. Left untreated, the foreign body will migrate through the dog’s body causing infection and in the most severe case death. A veterinarian’s consultation should be sought if you believe an invasive plant has affected your dog.

Mosquitoes and parasites such as ticks can also pass on life threatening illnesses such as Heartworm and more recently, West Nile Virus. Ensuring your dog’s shots are kept up-to-date and immunizing him against disease such as Lyme disease, will greatly reduce his chances of contracting one of these devastating illnesses. Monthly Heartworm pills and applications of flea and tick repellant can also help to reduce the risk of infection. Prior to going afield or outdoors, dogs can be sprayed with a specially designed commercially available repellants, which will also help reduce mosquito and fly bites. After each hunt or outing dogs should be brushed and checked for ticks, burs and thorns. Ticks can be removed with a pair of tweezers or one of the specially produced products available at most pet supply outlets. Remove a tick by grasping it with the tweezers near the tick’s head, where it is imbedded into the dog’s skin, and pull it out slowly. Clean the area with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. As with other cuts and scrapes keep an eye on the wound and make sure it heals without becoming infected. Tick bites can lead to Lyme disease and although infection rates in canines is very high; if treated quickly a full recovery is possible, if the disease is caught in time. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a bull’s eye pattern around the wound area. Other symptoms include joint stiffness, lack of appetite and fever. If you suspect your dog has contracted Lyme or any disease contact your veterinarian.

	Knowledge is the key in a medical emergency. Knowing what to do and reacting quickly could help you Photo by: Author

In certain areas of the country biting and stinging insects such as fire ants, centipedes, black flies and several species of wasps’, hornets and bees, including “Africanized” or “Killer Bees”, can also pose a serious threat to you and your four legged partner. Depending on each individuals allergic reaction to a biting or stinging insect will determine the required medical treatment. Reactions can vary drastically from mild to severe swelling to the most severe reaction causing coma, respiratory failure or death. A good antihistamine such as Benadryl should be kept in your first aid kit and administered at the first sign of reaction to a bite or sting. Check with your vet concerning rate and dosage, which is based on your dog’s weight. As always, get your dog to a vet as soon as possible especially if his condition does not improve.

Encounters with wild animals are always a concern for gun dogs while hunting. Rabies and Distemper along with other communicable diseases can be a serious threat also. Again, yearly vaccinations and boosters should always be kept up-to-date. Avoiding such encounters is not always possible, if you believe your dog may have encountered a wild animal, inspect him thoroughly. Check for indications such as scratches or bite marks, also look for signs of swelling and bruising. If you find a wound, thoroughly clean it with an antiseptic and get the dog to a veterinarian’s office.

Encounters with porcupines require special handling of your dog, as removing spines can be very painful. Dogs should be muzzled, again an impromptu muzzle will do. Electrical tape, a bootlace or dog lead will all work quite well in the field. Have one person either hold the dog still or lay on top of the animal. A pair of needle nose pliers’ works very well at removing porcupine spines. Grasp the spine at its base and quickly pull it out, again clean the wound and treat it with a good antiseptic.

Snakebites can also be a possibility, especially during warm weather. Again, look for swelling and an allergic reaction. Treat with Benadryl and get the dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Usually, if treated within two hours, the dog will have a very good chance of recovering from a poisonous bite.

Gunshot wounds are always a possibility while afield. A novice or over anxious hunter or an accidental discharge can end a hunting career. Because of the vast latitude of injury possibilities from being “stung” by a pellet to traumatic organ damage, space restraints prevent a complete discussion of the treatment of each type of wound. However, your first aid training will provide you with enough basic information from how to treat for and prevent shock, to preventing blood loss and maintaining vital signs that your partner will have a very good chance of recovery.

End each outing, training session or hunt by brushing your dog and inspecting his body for cuts, abrasions, thorns and ticks. Pay attention to his attitude, is he stiff and sore? Is he favoring a limb? Watch for the warning signs and provide the appropriate treatment required. Schedule regular visits to your veterinarian and make sure all of his vaccinations are current. Preventative health care is an important aspect of keeping your dog performing at his best and it is also part of the responsibility of owning a dog.

Basic field care for gun dogs does not begin in the field; it begins by knowing your dog. With proper care and maintenance prior to the hunting season, before each hunt, while afield and after each hunt you will ensure that your dog is capable of performing at his optimal level. Injuries and illnesses will be kept to a minimum and you will be able to read your dog much better. These preventative measures will also enable you to notice minor abnormalities before they become major problems and extend your time in the field.