Need help with a hurting dog

B

BuckScherb21

New member
We just got back from a great pheasant hunt in South Dakota but my 1 1/2 year old lab got real beat up by the cattails, around his eyes are real cut up and swollen. I have the e-collar (not the electronic collar) on him now but was wondering if there is anything else I can do before I get him to the vet on Monday? I'm sure others have experienced the same, I would appreciate any advice to relieve the pain.
 
Yes cattails can be like running head first into a bunch of little razor blades.

First of all did you check under the eyelids (top and bottom) for seeds or debris etc..?

That can cause a lot irritation (drainage, puss) and if you find anything an eyewash solution that you can get at most any drug stores will help flush that out. If those cuts around the eyes are only superficial, than just keep them clean with some betadine or like applied by Q-tips. Be careful not get any in the eye itself. If he's in pain a 325 mg buffered or enteric coated aspirin every 12 hours will be fine given with some food.

If you think it's anything more serious or suspect an injury to the eye itself, I suggest trying to locate an Emergency pet facility if you have any in your area.
 
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I am not sure there is a lot you can do for the abrasions, but I would be sure that he does not have stuff in his eyes.
 
Mine is the same way every trip. I use a eyewash solution if they are real sore. Some dogs get it worse than others. His chest is covered with scabs right now from being cut. They all heal. If he is not in extreme discomfort I would just handle this yourself, a little ointment on them would help too, as Steve said I don't think there is much they can do for it except sell you something you don't need.
 
BuckScherb21 said:
We just got back from a great pheasant hunt in South Dakota but my 1 1/2 year old lab got real beat up by the cattails, around his eyes are real cut up and swollen. I have the e-collar (not the electronic collar) on him now but was wondering if there is anything else I can do before I get him to the vet on Monday? I'm sure others have experienced the same, I would appreciate any advice to relieve the pain.
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What are you talking about when you say "you have the e-collar on him now?" :confused: What does that have to do with his eyes?
 
Dakotazeb said:
What are you talking about when you say "you have the e-collar on him now?" :confused: What does that have to do with his eyes?
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He's probably talking about the big lampshade thing (Ellizabethan collar) that prevents dogs from getting their mouths to other parts of their bodies and also keeps them from pawing at sore eyes.

When my old one was young, he'd come home from every hunt looking like a raccoon -- the area around his eyes would just get hammered by the thick vegetation. It's actually why my wife "forced" me to get more dogs, as she thought I was killing that one. I knew better, but I gladly went along with her request.

I'd always just check for debris and then let him be, and a few days later he'd be fine. I'd only go to the vet if you suspect that foreign matter is in there.
 
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What they ^ said, Buck.

It is just hunting wear n' tear on some dogs. A lot has to do with the enthusiasm of the pup. My male GWP came into my life at 2.5 years, never having hunted. That first season, he was ecstatic, and charged into every bit of cover that held a scent.

He would have half-moons of raw flesh under his eyes for weeks for pheasant season; enough to make you cringe. I just cleaned them. They were not deep, nor debilitating.

His front legs looked like he'd suffered a torture of a thousand cuts.

After a few years, he learned to go around some things, or maybe, to duck his head a bit. He kept the enthusiasm, and maybe, gained some wisdom.

Neither his predecessor, a female GWP, nor Mick, a Springer, inflicted these kinds of injuries to themselves.

It will be fine.

Welcome to the Forum. :)
 
I like to give my dog some comfort food after a good beat down like that, carne asada or cheeseburger without bun, sounds like you dog has earned it:thumbsup:. CRP can be really tough on their eyes as well
 
Returned Monday from 3 days in Iowa. Sat-Sun we hunted 8 hours each day. Max took a pounding and gave himself up for the team. After 2 days home my wife asked why he's not shedding hair in the house like normal. I told her it's because he has almost none left. His chest and underbelly are about bare [I forgot his vest at home]. He hasn't moved much the first two days back. This morning he bugged the heck out of me while trying to put on my shoes, so he's back to normal.

These dogs are born and bred for this stuff. They can be barely able to move, but don't want to be left behind and will give it their all if there's scent in the area. It hurts me to look at him all beat up, but they heal and will be ready for the next go.
 
You really have to admire your dog after he is done and looking like he went a couple rounds with Muhammed Ali :thumbsup:

I never knew what it was like to watch a dog recover from a long hard hunt until a week ago and they bounce back like nothing happened quick.

He is ready to go again, but need to let his nose get a bit of fur growing back before I can let him loose to beat himself up... I'm a softy :rolleyes:
 
I have had good success using coconut oil to help speed the healing of scratches and abrasions on my pointers. Also, using eye wash, post hunt, to make sure I flush out any debris.

If you dogs like sweet tasting things, coconut oil may not work but I am fortunate that they don't lick it off.
 
PTM said:
I like to give my dog some comfort food after a good beat down like that, carne asada or cheeseburger without bun, sounds like you dog has earned it:thumbsup:. CRP can be really tough on their eyes as well
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I can't wait to meet you PTM, we're on the same page. Dogs get beat up, cut, scratched, bruised, and sore when they hunt hard but its nothing a little rest and a cheese burger can't fix.:cheers:
 
I'm a contact lens wearer, and I just use the cheapest saline solution to wash my dogs eyes out. I've had similar experiences with my dogs eyes getting cut like that when I hunt standing corn.

I also just dab a little peroxide on the cuts to be safe so they won't get infected.

I think they look a lot worse than they feel most of the time.
 
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