Nebraskaland

32 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2015 and miles away from the nearest veterinarian and your dog has a large laceration that is susceptible to infection, a skin stapler is an easy, effective way to close large cuts without messing with a needle and thread. First, make sure severe bleeding has stopped (see "Bleeding"), and then clean the wound. If necessary, muzzle your dog and inject local anesthesia (Lidocaine) around the edges of the wound with a small, 25-gauge needle. Point the arrow of the stapler the same way the cut is running and press, placing staples one-quarter inch apart. Staples should stay in for two weeks to allow for healing before removal by a veterinarian or with a skin staple remover tool. If you suspect that the laceration is more severe than skin deep, see a veterinarian immediately, who may reopen the wound for closer examination. Lacerated Ear Margins – Ear flaps can bleed due to a variety of reasons: excessive scratching, barbed wire or even fights with another dog. Because dogs' ears have so many blood vessels, they can bleed profusely when cut. Dogs also tend to shake their heads and scratch when irritation occurs, which prevents the wound from clotting correctly. To treat a bleeding ear in the field, dog trainer and hunt guide Aaron Schroder at Pheasant Bonanza carries a styptic pencil in his first-aid kit. The styptic pencil is rubbed onto the wound to promote clotting. Cold water or ice and pressure work, too. Once bleeding stops, flush the wound with sterile water or antiseptic solution. To prevent the wound from opening up again due to head shaking or scratching, cut a sock so that it fits over the injured ear. Tape the sock in place and then wrap the entire ear to the dog's head with vet wrap. An Elizabethan collar may be used at home to prevent the dog from pulling off the bandage. Foot and Pad Injuries A cut foot pad is a common injury that comes with hunting. Thorns, sandburs, cactus, loose barbed wire, glass, and trash are all things that can cut up a dog's feet. While running, dogs may also catch their nails on plant matter, resulting in torn or damaged nails. These injuries are typically not serious. Field Treatment Foot Pad – Examine the affected area carefully and remove any foreign objects with a hemostat or needle nose pliers. Clean wound with antiseptic solution and apply antibiotic salve. For larger cuts, bandage the foot with the following layers: Telfa pad over the actual wound, then wrap leg in a figure eight pattern with cast padding, and then stretchy tape (Elastikon) to keep everything in place. Wrap again with waterproof adhesive white tape for extra support, especially to hold splints (see sidebar page 35). Wrap should be snug, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. If a foreign object has broken off inside the pad, pain, swelling, redness and lameness will persist. See a veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent tetanus. Nails – Torn or severely damaged nails should be removed to prevent infection. Before you begin, muzzle your dog. Then grasp nail firmly with needle nose pliers or a hemostat and pull out the entire nail in a quick, forceful motion. Stop any bleeding with a styptic pencil. Wash out toe with antiseptic solution and bandage. Nail injuries usually heal quickly and extracted nails usually grow back. Try to keep nails trimmed at all times to avoid damage throughout the hunting season. If you cannot extract the entire nail, trim the nail as short as possible in a 45 degree angle, but avoid cutting into the quick (live part of the nail). Bandage the foot to avoid further damage and infection. Foxtails and Sandburs As unimposing as they seem, foxtail seeds can pose many problems to gun dogs. As these seeds dry in late summer and fall, the seed heads fall off the plant and break into smaller segments. One look under a magnifying glass will show you tiny barbs on the bristles. These seeds can make their way between a dog's toes, inside the eyes, ears and nose, and can cause infection if not treated. A dog in pain and fear may bite, no matter how much he or she loves you. When treating an injury that may cause high levels of discomfort to your dog, such as bandaging a broken leg or skin stapling, it is a good idea to apply a muzzle. Carry a store-bought muzzle inside your first-aid kit or apply a make-shift muzzle using a string or shoelace. To make a muzzle, cautiously lay a string or shoelace on the bridge of the dog's nose. Tie an overhand knot underneath the nose then bring both ends of the string behind the neck and tie together. ■ Muzzled Dogs Can't Bite

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