Top 5 First Aid Items NEVER To Be Without In The Field:
1. Fresh, Clean Water: Obvious, but as a reminder...Always carry a water bottle with enough for the time spent in the field! Dehydration kills more dogs than any other field related injury! Even in the cold weather it is imperative to keep your dog properly hydrated. It can also help to wash out a wounds if needed.
2. Styptic Powder: Coagulates blood fast to stop bleeding and also is an antiseptic. A top essential for sure! Also, remember to calm yourself as well as your dog down in time of an emergency. Styptic usually comes in a small container and makes for a perfect fit for a 12g shell holder in your vest pocket! Remember to moisten it with a little water between your finger tips before applying.
3. Eye Wash: Sterile solution to flush out debris, dust or other irritants. Just a small bottle will go a long way in helping your dog clean out his eyes in the field. Use it during your breaks if hunting heavy, dirty or dusty cover. Your dog will thank you by finduing more birds for sure!
1. Fresh, Clean Water: Obvious, but as a reminder...Always carry a water bottle with enough for the time spent in the field! Dehydration kills more dogs than any other field related injury! Even in the cold weather it is imperative to keep your dog properly hydrated. It can also help to wash out a wounds if needed.
2. Styptic Powder: Coagulates blood fast to stop bleeding and also is an antiseptic. A top essential for sure! Also, remember to calm yourself as well as your dog down in time of an emergency. Styptic usually comes in a small container and makes for a perfect fit for a 12g shell holder in your vest pocket! Remember to moisten it with a little water between your finger tips before applying.
3. Eye Wash: Sterile solution to flush out debris, dust or other irritants. Just a small bottle will go a long way in helping your dog clean out his eyes in the field. Use it during your breaks if hunting heavy, dirty or dusty cover. Your dog will thank you by finduing more birds for sure!
4. Leatherman: Multi-tools these days are unbelievable. Scissors, pliers, knifes, awls, wire cutters, etc. Pretty much has you covered for any tool emergency in one small, lightweight fold up package! If you hunt, a leatherman tool is a MUST have in any field. They can cover it all like cutting barb wire, pull out porcupines quills,
5. Stretch Gauze: Made by 3M and other manufacturers and sometimes refered to as "vet wrap". This stuff is to a gun dog owner what duct tape was to MacGyver. It is self adherring and can be used as a bandage, tourniquet, tape, as well as a million other possibilities. Maybe even plug a leaky water pipe back at the hunting camp if needed! It is also wise to carry sterile gauze pads(prepacked) to layer underneathe the stretch gauze wrap.
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| Having the essentials in my vest saved us a trip back to the truck. Dirt and debris found it's way into Dewey' eyes during this warm winter day. I quick rinse of eye silution and we were back at it. Good thing because the truck was 10 miles away! |
Warning: Many folks urge the use of Super Glue to seal up wounds in the field. This is not advisible. Glueing together tissue and skin without proper dissenfecting the wound in a sterile environment can lead to infection and further complications. The field or marsh is NO place to super glue a cut!
This is just my "Top 5 Field Essentials." Your truck kit should contain much more and ALL that is needed to get your four legged hunting companion to the nearest vet clinic in the best shape possible. My truck box is a "mini triage" center complete with everything you would need to safely transport an injured dog. You also might decide to add a couple more regional specific items. Having the right tools is one thing. Knowing how to use them correctly during an emergency situation is the hardest part. I recommend studying up on canine first aid techniques and how to properly treat field related injuries correctly.
Best of luck out there. -Mark
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First aid for dogs, just like first aid for humans, is an effective combination of knowledge, supplies and skills, put into action for the benefit of your four-legged friend. Visit www.dog-first-aid-101.com
ReplyDeleteBill,
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%!!! Having the knowledge to put your first aid supplies into proper action during an emergency is more than critical. Thanks for the comment. Great website you have! To all followers...Check it out!