Applying First Aid in the Field: Training

Being prepared for emergencies in the field is as essential as having a well-conditioned dog. Fortunately most injuries that dogs incur can be readily treated, yet knowing how to handle a more serious accident could make a difference in the prognosis for your field trial superstar or hunting companion. "When you put 100-plus dogs together at a field trial, anything can happen," says Hunter Wilcox, V.M.D., of Lumberton, N.J. "True emergencies happen at about one in 10 field trials." Wilcox, who competes with his English Pointers in American Field horseback trials, defines a true emergency as a dog being kicked by a horse, a deep laceration, fighting with another dog, or even being struck by an automobile. "Probably the most frequently seen emergency is a dog being hit by a car," Wilcox says. "A dog gets lost out on the highway and then is hit. When this happens, you must check a dog's vital signs and determine whether the dog is in shock. A dog's immediate injuries should be treated, and then taken as quickly as possible to a veterinarian." Signs of shock include pale mucous membranes, such as the gums, and a weak pulse. When shock occurs, the blood vessels expand or dilate, causing a blood-volume deficit to the dog's heart, brain and vital organs. "A dog in shock is potentially a life-or-death situation," Wilcox says. "It is best to get to an emergency veterinary clinic where the dog can be treated appropriately." "Proper hydration is the biggest overall problem in field dogs," says Terry Dew, D.V.M., DACVS, of Russellville, Ark. "If a dog gs down with heat stroke, it can become fatal quickly. Heat problems can happen when it is only 80 or 90 degrees, and it can happen in seconds when a dog is running." The owner of four German Short­haired Pointers, Dew competes in North American Versatile Hunting Dog Asso­ci­ation (NAVHDA) tests. "A dog in heat distress may appear wobbly and then fall down," he says. "Excessive panting, a blank expression, inability to comprehend commands and a rapid pulse are also signs. It is key to get a heat-stressed dog to shade or somewhere cool and then to soak him with water. You never want to use extremely cold water." Water helps to increase evaporation. Get­ting a dog to keep his head up also helps to dissipate heat. "The idea in cooling down a dog is to increase blood flow to the skin and extremities," Dew says. "If you suspect a dog is in heat distress, you should seek veterinary attention." Gastrointestinal illness can occur when dogs drink water from unknown or unfamiliar sources. "Gastrointestinal upset, mostly diarrhea but also vomiting, can occur when dogs' water source changes," Wilcox explains. "Dogs may lap puddles in the field or simply have reactions to water provided at events. When diarrhea or vomiting occurs, their electrolytes become depleted, and they may need fluids given intravenously by a veterinarian." Reducing food intake may be helpful, and your veterinarian may prescribe a medication for nausea or diarrhea. "Most dogs can continue to compete, although they may not be at their peak performance," says Wilcox. "Keep in mind when dogs are out running freely and encounter murky water, it is not unlikely they will drink it, roll in it and then lick their body, ingesting who knows what." Broken legs and ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments are common field injuries, says Dew, a board-certified veterinary orthopedic surgeon. "Seventy percent of my caseload is cruciate ligament ruptures," he says. "To help prevent ruptures, dogs should be kept in good shape and at an optimal weight where you can see the outline of the last rib." A dog's cranial cruciate ligament helps to stabilize the femur (thighbone) on the tibia (shinbone) and allows a dog to bear weight on his leg. When the ligament tears, the two bones are destabilized and the dog becomes lame. "Surgery is the only good alternative when this occurs," Dew says. "Dogs recover quickly, within three to four months." Fractures can occur when a dog is stepped on by a horse or struck by a vehicle. Dogs also may break a leg if they become tangled in tie-out stakes. Broken legs should be treated by a veterinarian, al­though owners can help stabilize the leg by wrapping it with an athletic bandage. When a dog comes in from the field limping, 90 percent of the time lameness is in the foot due to a torn nail or a cut, burr or sliver in the paw pad, Dew says. When this occurs, he suggests removing any object and then using a veterinarian-prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, such as Rimadyl or Previcox, to reduce the pain. Dew notes that if a dog vomits or has a dark, tarry stool the medication should be stopped. Other common field injuries include lacerations, eye irritations, insect stings and snakebites. Care for lacerations depends on the severity of the injury, Dew advises. "Generally you want to apply pressure and then get the dog to the veterinarian so the injury can be cleaned up and sutured. Though most cuts are inconsequential if cared for, sometimes a dog may have tendon and nerve damage." An eye abrasion has occurred if a dog has a red, inflamed eye. This requires immediate veterinary attention. Seeds trapped in the eye could be the problem. A dog also could have an abrasion or a more serious puncture or laceration to the cornea. Some dogs have an allergic reaction to insect bites, such as from a bee, wasp or horsefly. In these cases, a veterinarian may prescribe an antihistamine to reduce swelling and pain. Though snakebites are not particularly common, they can occur, particularly in the West and Southwest. "Usually snakebites happen when dogs are out rooting on their own," Dew says. "Though most snakebites are seldom fatal, a dog struck by a rattlesnake could have harmful consequences. Dogs struck by copperheads or cottonmouth snakes are more likely to experience swelling that can be treated with steroids given by a veterinarian." Being prepared to provide aid to an injured dog is the best course. Sometimes just thinking ahead and being aware of how to handle problems makes a difference in the outcome. Packing a First-Aid Kit Including a first-aid kit in your gear should be as basic as loading your dog for an outdoor event. Here are supplies the veterinarians interviewed for this story recommend including in a first-aid kit. • Absorbent gauze pads to help stop bleeding; • Elastic bandages for wrapping injured legs; • Tape for securing bandages; • Tweezers or hemostats for removing ticks or items lodged in paw pads; • Antiseptic for cleaning wounds; • Antibiotic ointment for superficial injuries; • Saline solution for washing irritated eyes; • Medications prescribed or recommended by your veterinarian for inflammation, nausea or diarrhea; • Molasses or hard candy for hypoglycemia or low blood sugar; and • Telephone numbers for local emergency veterinary clinics.