What do you use?

S

Scott5019

New member
I've been running my 11 month old lab on some public ground birds lately and the area under his eyes has become raw/bloody. I've had labs in the past and this happened before. Doesn't seem to affect him in anyway and he doesn't want to stop hunting. I put some EMT gel on the area and after a day or two he looks fine until we go back out. I've read where some people use vaseline and others just let the dogs "toughen up" so to speak. Just wondering what others have used for their dogs.

Scott
 
What kind of cover are you running him in that causes this problem? I hunt a lot of different cover out here in SoDak with my Britts and don't have a problem. I really don't think the problem is dog specific. The only time I had dogs that would get cut up around the face (eyes, nose, mouth) was back in the late 80's when it was very dry out here. I had a Springer at the time and the dry reeds around the slough areas would cut her up pretty bad. There would be times she would come out of the field and her chest would be red from the blood running down from her face area. I'm not aware of anything to use to prevent this. Certainly you could try some vaseline but you probably need to be careful with it being around the eyes. Maybe someone else on this site has some suggestions. Good luck.
 
You might try putting some bag balm on that area before you hunt and possibly carry some more with you. Another thought is fingernail polish. Clear wouldn't show and would put a protective coat that would shed some abrasion. Just don't get it in the eye.
 
BE VERY careful about using ointments such as bag balm around the eyes as this could very well cause irritation if any gets in the eye. Vaseline is pretty safe though.

A better product and one I have used is "Puralube ointment" for dry eye. It safe to use and actually is intended to be used in the eye itself, but will no doubt be ok to use around the outer areas as well. It's Cheap too !!!

http://www.healthypets.com/puvetoi3.html
 
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Thanks for the information, I appreciate the help.

The type of cover we have working in lately is some corn that was left from last year that has grown in with weeds. Golden rod, switchgrass, and grown over hayfields also. Nothing really abnormal for hunting in Michigan.

I've been out to SD a few times and haven't had any issues with my other lab. I'll be bringing the pup out there as well this year, looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

Scott
 
Thanks Cackleburs, I appreciate the information.

Been running the pup the past few mornings when I get home from work. It seems like he is doing better than the first couple times out, not as red around the eyes as before...no blood like the first time out so I am glad to see that. We also covered about twice as much ground so I hoping it will only get better.

Clark, my pup, has put quite a few birds up by Michigan standards but nothing like we will find in SD. It's going to be a very long 5 weeks!!!

Scott
 
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