Q: My dog started off well during the season in terms of conditioning, but now, he seems not to be able to go as long during the day when we pheasant hunt. With cooler temperatures, thinning cover, and his seeming to be more in shape, it seems like he should be able to go longer. What could be happening? Could he just be nursing injuries and compensating (I haven’t noticed any visible trauma or limps)? Should I put him up for several consecutive days and see how he comes back?
A: Yes, there can be medical reasons for a pooped pup, and yes, those deserve a thorough workup. However, it could be that you have simply not given your dog enough “off days” to let his muscles recover from the work he has performed.
As with any athletic activity, muscles need regular rest. Muscles incur damage during heavy exercise and must heal in order to function at 100 percent. When muscles are not allowed to heal/recover before the next heavy exercise, they are forced to work while damaged, making the damage worse, needing longer to heal, and resulting in poorer performance.
This is not to say that the dog will complain. It is likely that he will not since, in most cases, the “damaged muscles” will not result in dysfunction significant enough to hamper the dog’s will to perform. This lack of external “symptoms” can make it difficult for an owner to see the need to rest their dog.
If you have a multi-day hunt, it can be very helpful to give your dog a day off between working. But, if this is not possible, just know that he will need an extended time to rest – usually many more days than would normally be necessary – for his muscles to heal and be back to full power.
Q: A cattail slough we have planned to hunt this winter for pheasants is known to have a lot of ice in the fringes and ditches, and I’m worried about my dog cutting her pads. What should I stock up in the first-aid kit in case this happens, and what would be the triage in the field for a sliced pad? I anticipate it would bleed quite a bit?
A: Pads are specialized tissues that are designed for the rough use that they incur; however, they are not indestructible and are very sensitive once damaged.
Relative to a skin laceration, cut pads are not really that much more prone to bleeding. That said, it is more difficult to limit use of the area once an injury has occurred, which can hinder clot formation and lead to it taking longer for hemorrhage to subside.
Once your dog injures a pad, it will usually be obvious and result in a significant lameness. The good news is that it is also equally as obvious as to the location of the injury. Though the location might be plain, the extent of the injury can be elusive, and a thorough examination (usually under sedation) is warranted prior to repair efforts.
Once repaired, we are back to the same problem as before, and that is to keep the injured area minimally active. One of the best ways to accomplish this is with the use of a “doughnut” bandage. These bandages provide covering of the wound to protect and keep it clean during healing while also eliminating direct weight bearing. If you are unfamiliar with preparing a bandage of this sort, check with your veterinarian for assistance.
Q: I have a late-season trip planned down South and am going to drive. My dog has always been a finicky traveler with his food and water. Any suggestions to keep his nutrition and hydration up while we’re traveling? He just seems disinterested, and I’m afraid he won’t be in top shape when we get there.
A: While most dogs are pros when it comes to traveling, the stress can sometimes throw one into a funk. When dealing with a dog that will not eat or drink well while traveling, focus on hydration first. Consider all possible ways to entice him to consume liquids. This might include the use of broths (either on food or alone), or limited use of electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade (with additional water). Crushed ice might be a good idea especially if it is hot.
Long haul rides have many hidden ways of “stressing” a dog. If he is traveling in a small crate or box, not getting to stretch and move can result in muscle soreness (not to mention the problem in the next question). Also, if the dog is crate-trained and does not have adequate chances to have a bowel movement, constipation can result.
In some dogs, riding can cause motion sickness, making the dog less likely to want to eat or drink; in severe cases, the dog might actually vomit, speeding the onset of dehydration, which in itself will result in lethargy and malaise. In the most severe cases, it might be necessary to even take your dog into a veterinarian for some fluids to rehydrate him and reverse some of the ill effects of the long ride.
To combat these issues, plan frequent stops in your travels and take susceptible dogs out for a walk. This is a good time to offer them a drink. If they are especially prone to vomiting, ask your veterinarian about medication for prevention.
Q: My dog’s tail is dead! Okay, not dead, but limp – it just droops a couple of inches from the base. She looks pitiful! I read somewhere that this is “cold tail”? Did this happen because she went into some cold water?
A: “Limber tail” (LT) is a condition seen by many dog trainers, especially in field trial and hunting dogs. In retrievers, the condition is commonly referred to as “cold water tail.”
LT is a result of damage to the muscles of the lower back and tail. Many of the muscles that operate the end portions of the tail are located in the more forward (toward the base) positions of the tail and utilize long tendons to create movement similar to how the muscles of your forearm move certain parts of your hand and fingers.
Predisposing factors for developing LT includes heavy hunting or workouts, followed by swimming or bathing in water that is too cold or too hot. These activities and environmental conditions somehow work together to cause muscle damage to the tail.
Riding in confined area, such as a crate or kennel, for long periods has also been known to result in a case of LT. Most dogs with limber tail will recover with minimal to no treatment if given enough time. The condition reoccurs in approximately two-thirds of dogs, especially in those that continue predisposing activities.
This article originally appears in the October/November 2021 issue of The Retriever Journal, available as an individual issue in our store! Or, you can request a no-obligation issue.
