Field First-Aid by Daniel Novitch DVM It's a perfect autumn day. Crisp, cool air with a deep, blue sky, and the last of the brilliantly colored leaves are still on the trees. You and your canine hunting partner have just entered one of your favorite covers. The stage is already set for a wonderful day afield. Birds in the bag will only be a bonus - one that you are eagerly anticipating. Your dog is out of sight in some heavy cover. The anticipation is building, then a piercing, unnerving "yelp" from your four-legged friend. You whistle the come-in command. There is no response, only a continued painful crying. You hurry into the heavy cover toward the sound, unsure of what you'll find. Finally, just ahead you see your friend . What will you find? "By taking the time now to educate yourself on canine first-aid and by putting together a simple first-aid kit for the field, you should be prepared for nearly any injury encountered." As I write this in early March, the cold grips of winter are still firmly upon us, here, in the upper Midwest. Like many upland bird hunters, my thoughts often wander back and ahead to our time - autumn and bird season. Never do these thoughts include an injury to my hunting dog, but unfortunately accidental injuries do occur. By taking the time now to educate yourself on canine first-aid and by putting together a simple first-aid kit for the field, you should be prepared for nearly any injury encountered. Hopefully, in the above scenario what you find once you reach the dog is only a minor injury, maybe even something that will not end your hunt together. But if you find a more serious injury, it is better to be prepared and able to respond - rather than to be unable to help your bird dog until you can reach the nearest veterinarian. In this article, I hope to give you some insight and advice into first-aid for your hunting dog. The first section will list the inventory of the first-aid kit I carry in my hunting vest, followed by uses of these items. Next, will be another Page 1 | Spaniel Journal | Next Page |