doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT What to put in my bird dogs first aid kit?

Know the location and phone number of the local vet.

I carry the usual bandages, disinfectants, ear cleaner, Q Tips, eye wash (for dogs - their eyes have a different PH than ours), etc., but I also carry:

Injectible benedryl for snake bites and allergic reactions - this is loaded into doses in syringes and carried in aluminum cigar tubes labled with the dog's name.

Needle and suture material (a stapler is better).

Leatherman and foreceps for removal of cactus and other spines, as well as porcupine quills

Antibiotic - general broad spectrum oral type

Duct tape - lots of uses

C Man

Make sure to use a kennel for travel. It also confines and relaxes the pooch if he gets hurt. I often wondered how I would get my dog out if something happened when we were chukar hunting.He had so much drive he blew out his knee. This got progressively worse. The ability to read the dog is important. Know when to rest. Never take a 100lb. lab chukar hunting regardless of his condition and stamina.It's just too hard on them. I'm at the point where I would much rather have him as a pet than the huntin fool that he is.

If you have horses, (I used to have them too) Chuck you might want to take along a bottle of Koppertex. It is a green solution that is used on horses hooves. It is also great for putting on a dog's (foot) pads to toughen them up when they are sore. Just spread it out all over each pad. Good luck in your hunt.

Awolf,
The chukar hunting areas in the So Cal deserts can be brutal terrain. I know what you mean about taking a big dog in this kind of rocky steep terrain where every step is precarious. I specifically bought a small Lab because I had planned on using her for upland hunting. Jazz is 42lbs., a runt in Lab terms.

Cman,
Where'd one get injectable Benedryl?

I found this site. It lists vets by state / city. It is not complete, can't find my vet on it, but it is a good start.

http://www.netpets.com/dogs/vets/

Pete

Lots of people carry leatherman tools or hemastats for removing porcupine quills. I had the misfortune to see both in action last season.

My dog had over 100 quills in her face, tongue and throat. The trouble with those tools is that they require more effort and dexterity to open than they do to close. With quills, time is of the essence; you want to be able to pluck as fast as humanly possible.

After that incident, I went out and bought several sets of cheap ($3) spring-loaded, needlenose pliers. You simply squeeze, pull and relax your grip. I carry 3 pairs; one for me, one for my partner and one to turn up missing in an emergency.

As usual, lot's of good stuff from experienced folks and my kit will be improved with some of the suggestions. Spring loaded pliers and the injectable benedryl are two immediate upgrades; my dog's allergic to bees and the pills I have probably wouldn't be fast enough if she got multiple stings.

I asked my vet to set up a dose for each dog. It is helpful if a dog is struck, but you still need to get to a vet ASAP.

I keep my dogs' medical kit all in a snap top plastic storage box, that rides in the rear drawer in my Lancruiser, next to my training gear and guns.

C

You might also ask your vet, or MD, for a Rx for an EpiPen http://www.epipen.com/?p=EPKW2001&s=01&c=96&eng=GGL It's an auto-inject device with Epinephrine for life-threatening allergic reactions and shock.
They are expensive and have a limited self-life however.
And while you're bugging your doc, ask for a quinolone containing antibacterial eye drop.
I also bring Bag Balm which really helps the rash/irritation the dogs get on their lower abdomen from running in wheat stubble.