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Backpacker Magazine – May 2008

The Cure: First Aid For Fido

Dogs can get hurt on the trail just like you. Here's how to treat 5 common problems.

by: Gretchen Bergen

Photo by Justin Bailie

Health & First Aid

Injured paws are easy to spot, but many canine ailments are difficult to diagnose. Unlike other hiking partners, your dog can't tell you what hurts. To help you help him, we consulted veterinarian Michael J. Brooks. The former backcountry ranger, who camps with his Pekingese-Yorkie in Colorado's Indian Peaks Wilderness, offered this advice.

Paw Injuries
Dog paws–like human feet–require conditioning to tackle longer hikes and rougher terrain. To protect against cactus spines, thorns, and sharp rocks, try nylon booties like Ultra Paws Durable Dog Boot ($30, gearfordogs.com), or rubber-soled Bark'n Boots ($60, ruffwear.com). Remove the booties every few hours to let the dog's pads–which contain sweat glands–air out. Treat wounds like you would on your own foot: clean and bandage.

Dehydration
"An average dog requires one ounce of water every day per pound of weight," says Brooks. That means a 45-pound dog needs about 1.5 quarts per day, and more in hot weather. Check for dehydration by pinching the skin on your dog's upper back. If it doesn't quickly rebound after you let go, your dog needs water. Sunken eyes and dry mouth are other indicators. For water on the go, attach a collapsible dish ($20, kelty.com) to your pack.

Heat Stroke
Fewer sweat glands mean dogs–who vent excess heat primarily through their nose and tongue–can't cool themselves as easily as humans. They need frequent hydration, shade, and rest on hot days. Overheated dogs act sluggish and confused and pant excessively. Look for a dry mouth and nose. To treat an overheated dog, find shade and pour cool water on its belly and legs, where blood collects.

Hypothermia
Like children, smaller dogs lose body heat fast. Hypothermic clues include dilated pupils and constant shivering. If your canine is huddling with you, he's cold. "Bring your dog into your sleeping bag," says Brooks.

Ticks
During spring and summer, apply over-the-counter tick protections like Frontline or Advantix, and try to keep your dog away from dense undergrowth. If you find a tick during a nightly check, remove it by grasping it close to the skin with tweezers and pulling gently until it comes out. Apply a disinfectant or antibiotic ointment to the wound site.

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READERS COMMENTS

If your dog gives you trouble with booties on their paws another thing you can try is called "Mushers Secret" My hiking partner has a Huskie and he let me try some on my boxers paws the last time we hiked. It is like a waxy paste that you rub on the dogs paws. It protects your dogs paws from ruff surfaces, mushers use it on their sled teams hence the name...lol But it does save your dogs paws somewhat if they refuse to wear shoes.

Posted: Jan 19, 2009 Richie

My two German Shepherds (one of whom has only three legs) would never forgive me for hiking without them. With only 3 legs, pad/paw health becomes WAY more important! I would like to hear more about first aid for paws, rather than just the suggestion to use boots.
Posted: Dec 25, 2008 Mac

A couple of weeks ago myself and my 12-year old daughter found ourselves in the position of having to drag/carry our 135 lb Great Dane 3 miles down a mountain (using a hoodie as a make-shift stretcher) because he got blistered/cut paws on our hike. He didn't give us any warning - just suddenly lay down and refused to go any further. A passing mountain-biker lent us an inner tube which we used to reinforce the bandages on his two cut paws, but by the time we'd got him down the mountain, all 4 paws were cut up and we then spent 3 hours getting him patched up at the Emergency Vets! Needless to say, we went out and bought him rubber booties the very next day!
Posted: Oct 21, 2008 Lynda

Please remember to spay and neuter your pets!
Posted: Oct 16, 2008 animal lover

Another way to remove a tick is by rubbing it in a clockwise/counterclockwise direction, which apparently causes the tick to get dizzy and fall off. I've not tried this myself, but I've hear many people say that it works.
Posted: Oct 06, 2008 Mike Puleo

I take my dog on nearly every hike I go on. During very hot days I try to pick trails with swimming holes or streams so my pooch can cool off. He is a black dog and gets overheated easily.
Posted: Sep 21, 2008 Kyle

I find my dog will always let me know when he wants water. We have a sort of system, he'll usually find the next shady spot and will sit and wait for water. If you and your dog have a good relationship he/she will give you tell's to let you know, you just have to be observant to read them!
Posted: Sep 08, 2008 babysgotbackpack

Thanks for the advice. I hike quite a bit in the mid-west with my Aussie and some of this I did not know or think about before now.
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 Larry Shields

IVE TAKEN MY RETRIEVER ALL OVER FROM CANYONEERING WITH RAPPELS TO WEEKS IN THE BACK COUNTRY NUMBER 1 RULE IS TO BE PREPARED AND THIS INCLUDES PREPPING YOUR BUDDY. YOUR RESPONSIBLE AS AN OWNER TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR SAFETY. DEHYDRATION IS OUR NUMBER 1 THREAT IN THE OUTDOORS. MAKE SURE YOUR NEAR A WATER SOURCE ON MULTI DAYS AND BRING PLENTY OF WATER ON SINGLE DAY TRIPS ESPECIALLY ON TRIPS WITHUT RUNNING WATER. CHECK FOR TICKS AND WOUNDS WHEN CAMPED. AND IF YOUR DOG IS COLD BRING THEM INSIDE YOUR SLEEPING BAG. NOTHING WORSE THAN HAVING YOUR PUPPY OR DOG SICK BECAUSE OF THE COLD MAKE SURE YOU GET A FIRST AID KIT AND BOOK FOR PETS ITS VERY HANDY.
Posted: Jul 18, 2008 JC

I hike with my dogs all the time. But I did not know any of this stuff. Thank you for this artical.
Posted: Jul 11, 2008 Lou Maxson

I bring my 2 best friends when camping. My wife and my dog. Over heating is probably the thing that most ofthen effects my dog. If you pay close attention to your dog while hiking you will know what they need when they need it. We take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water.
Posted: Jul 05, 2008 tpmcman

i love dogs
Posted: Jun 26, 2008 skafish

Great. Mostly common sense stuff, but it's nice to see something written for us folks with dogs. Maybe next time we'll get some more in depth situations such as snake bite or broken leg. That should be interesting.
Posted: Jun 18, 2008 Wes