Hunting Dog First Aid Kit

[sns2]

With the season opener fast approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread to see what guys carry in their first aid kits for their best friend(s).

I am going to be needing to put one together, so am open to all suggestions, as I am sure many others are too.

[Tfng]

Good quality cable cutters.

[elkhunter11]

Cable cutters, and a hemostat for removing quills or thorns,

[3blade]

Quick clot or similar bandage. Dogs have the same clotting cascade as humans, so it can be used for either.

Heavy gauze wrap to stabilize/immobilize an injured limb.

[pikergolf]

I carry cable cutters, a pair of needle nose pliers, and some crazy glue. I give my Springer an antihistamine before we head out early in the season. Oh yes, and the snack bag. Dogs love snacks during breaks.

[angery jonn]

Go to one of the many gun dog websites and buy a kit. There's usually multiple kits to pick from and you can get exactly what you want or need in a nice case. Then carry hemostats and cutters in your vest

[WingmanGSP]

surgical staple gun and a staple removal tool.

Grant

[20shadow05]

All of the above, and latex gloves, sterile solution for washing out eyes, small packs of honey (for dog), rubbing alcohol (for cooling, dog pads only) and isopropyl alcohol, first aid tape

[Bigwoodsman]

Great thread topic.

BW

[fingershooter]

Sorry, but what are the cable cutters for? Snares?
Vitamin C, tweezers, crazy glue, betadine, bandage wrap, liquid bandage, Fuciderm gel (antibiotic/corticosteroid), fine-toothed steel comb to remove cacti.
Great thread, thanks.

[densa44]

I'm not a trapper and neither was the guy in the hardware store so he let me try the cutters (Irwin) on the cables that he was selling. I'm satisfied that they will cut any snare wire. I'm not sure if it has been mentioned, but something to clean your hands.

I don't have a good solution for holding the dog's mouth open but I've heard of a tool that you can make or buy. It is hard even with an other fellow helping you to get quills out from inside her mouth.

I'm waiting to hear what you do about a dog that has been skunked. Hasn't happened while hunting yet but who knows.

BTW this is another reason NOT to have the dog flush birds, because sometimes it is not a bird.

[angery jonn]

Originally Posted by WingmanGSP

surgical staple gun and a staple removal tool.

Grant

My truck kit has a staple gun in it as well. I am curious though, would you use it without having some sort of numbing shot? One of my dogs has had to have numerous staples and stitches and my vet told me under no circumstances should I use it without. His reasoning was, it could cause huge stress and a less trusting dog in an already stressful situation. He recommended cleaning, closing and wrapping loosely in a damp dressing. There's a few places I hunt where I'm a ways from the nearest vet so I've questioned if I would actually use it or not, if needed hunting those areas.

[angery jonn]

I don't have a good solution for holding the dog's mouth open but I've heard of a tool that you can make or buy. It is hard even with an other fellow helping you to get quills out from inside her mouth.

Gun dog supply sells a quill jig that looks like it would work perfect.

[Leaf]

Vet wrap. Found at ufa, vet clinics, pet stores.

[WingmanGSP]

Originally Posted by angery jonn

My truck kit has a staple gun in it as well. I am curious though, would you use it without having some sort of numbing shot? One of my dogs has had to have numerous staples and stitches and my vet told me under no circumstances should I use it without. His reasoning was, it could cause huge stress and a less trusting dog in an already stressful situation. He recommended cleaning, closing and wrapping loosely in a damp dressing. There's a few places I hunt where I'm a ways from the nearest vet so I've questioned if I would actually use it or not, if needed hunting those areas.

I have used it a few times once on a nasty fence rip, we had some freezing so yes that helped, also helped to hunt with a doctor. On smaller cuts 2 or 3 staples were no problem, my dogs trust me. It also helps if the dog is a tough SOB that knows he will get to hunt the next day if he just stays still. My old Vet (RIP) would just say go for it but don't seal the wound, leave a small spot to drain and of course clean the wound first.

Grant

[Pixel Shooter]

EMT gel is probably the most used thing in my doggy bag and best product I have used. you can buy kits, this is what mine looks like:

First Aid Bag
Canine First Aid Book
7 1/4" Stainless Steel Paramedic Shears
5 1/2" Stainless Steel Kelly Forceps
Skin Stapler w/ 35 SS Staples
52 x 84 Mylar Emergency Blanket
Sterile 4 x 4 Gauze Pads
Sterile 5 x 9 ABD Pads
Sterile 10 x 30 Multi-Trauma Dressing
4.5" x 4 yd Sterile Bulk Roll Gauze
4" x 5 yd Self Adhering Bandage Wrap
Sterile Cotton Tipped Applicators
1" Medical Tape
1" x 18" Latex Free Tourniquet
16 oz Bottle Hydrogen Peroxide
4 oz Bottle Eye Wash
Instant Cold Packs
Digital Thermometer
Syringe
2 packs Aspirin Tablets
1 packs Antihistamine Capsule
Box Anti-Diarrheal (Loperamide)
Packets Honey
Packets Celox Hemostatic Granules
Gloves
Emergency Information Card
Odor Removal Solution Recipe
Providone-Iodine Swabsticks
Antiseptic Wipes
Burn Gel with Lidocaine
Pliers

[3blade]

Originally Posted by Pixel Shooter

EMT gel is probably the most used thing in my doggy bag and best product I have used. you can buy kits, this is what mine looks like:

First Aid Bag
Canine First Aid Book
7 1/4" Stainless Steel Paramedic Shears
5 1/2" Stainless Steel Kelly Forceps
Skin Stapler w/ 35 SS Staples
52 x 84 Mylar Emergency Blanket
Sterile 4 x 4 Gauze Pads
Sterile 5 x 9 ABD Pads
Sterile 10 x 30 Multi-Trauma Dressing
4.5" x 4 yd Sterile Bulk Roll Gauze
4" x 5 yd Self Adhering Bandage Wrap
Sterile Cotton Tipped Applicators
1" Medical Tape
1" x 18" Latex Free Tourniquet
16 oz Bottle Hydrogen Peroxide
4 oz Bottle Eye Wash
Instant Cold Packs
Digital Thermometer
Syringe
2 packs Aspirin Tablets
1 packs Antihistamine Capsule
Box Anti-Diarrheal (Loperamide)
Packets Honey
Packets Celox Hemostatic Granules
Gloves
Emergency Information Card
Odor Removal Solution Recipe
Providone-Iodine Swabsticks
Antiseptic Wipes
Burn Gel with Lidocaine
Pliers

Pretty good list, suggests some level of training. If I may...you're tripled up on bandages, and doubled on antiseptic and rolls. I'd go with the trauma pads (cut to size if necessary), the peroxide, and the self adhering wrap. Swabs and roll gauze are largely unnecessary in the field. Unless weight/space isn't a factor or you have a particular use for each.

I would be careful about using the granules though, the reason they went to impregnated bandages is granules are messy and can potentially go where you don't want them to and cause major problems. Especially for a dog who is probably gonna shove his nose in or lick a wound. They tend to inhibit approximation of the wound, causing major scaring, which can limit rehab. Of course thats better than bleeding to death and it wouldn't hurt to have both.

[Pixel Shooter]

Appreciate the input. In 35 plus yrs of dogs. Not sure if anything in there that hasn't been used at one time or another. I'm doubled up on stuff cause not just dogs at times get hurt lol. 😉