With comfortable temperatures and longer days, spring is a great time to get our four-legged hunting companions back in the field to get in shape and train for the next hunting season. And since April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, it’s also a good time for hunting dog owners to think about and prepare for injuries hunting dogs might encounter.
Running through fields and briars; diving into thick brush and cold water; chasing birds, boars and bears; it’s not difficult to imagine how a dog might get hurt. That’s why hunting dog owners should always carry a first-aid kit with standard medical supplies for their pup, whether training or hunting. In addition to typical first-aid supplies like gauze and Triple Antibiotic cream, the following household items can help you treat your dog while in the field.
• Old wash cloths for cleaning big areas
• Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in case of accidental poisoning
• Commercial ice packs like the ones used to treat sports injuries
• Kaopectate liquid to treat diarrhea
• Benadryl (give 1-2mg. per pound every 8 hours for bee stings or bug bites or 4mg per pound for snake bites)
• Buffered aspirin (give 25-50mg one hour before traveling to prevent motion sickness). Try at home first.
Never give your dog Tylenol or Ibuprofen under any circumstances, as they can have very toxic effects.
With a little planning, you can help ensure a safe (and hopefully successful) day afield with your favorite hunting companion.
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