What to do if your dog is injured
Knowing how to administer canine first aid is an essential skill all gundog owners should know.
Common medical issues dog owners should be on alert for include:
Skin lacerations
Skin lacerations are the most common injuries to a hunting dog. Most cuts can be treated in the field using a simple canine first-aid kit. More serious cuts that cause pain or prevent your dog from moving about freely require an urgent trip to the vet.
Shock
Urgent medical treatment is required if your dog goes into shock, and recognising the early warning signs may help you save the dog’s life.
Shock can occur for many reasons, commonly from pain, trauma, reaction to a bite or from fluid loss. It is the response to a loss of circulation.
Early warning signs of shock can be:
- increased heart rate
- low temperature
- pale or blue gums
- weakness or lethargy
- slow and shallow breathing
- inability to focus or unusual staring.
You must seek urgent medical advice if you recognise any of these signs. Keep the dog clam and warm, and apply gentle massage to the legs to maintain circulation.
Overheating and dehydration
Dogs are prone to overheating and dehydration, known as hyperthermia. It is important that you immediately stop hunting and provide your dog with fresh drinking water and a cool place to rest when they show symptoms.
Hypothermia
If your dog is wet and begins to shiver, they may be experiencing hypothermia and must be dried and warmed up immediately.
Snake bites
If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a snake, you should:
- try to identify the snake species
- keep the dog calm and quiet
- limit its movements
- apply pressure to the bite
- seek urgent veterinary treatment.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. Snakes are protected, and killing them is illegal.
