Anyone who hunts with a dog (or dogs) comes across a few different situations, obstacles or hazards that can be eliminated with the proper knowledge and a couple dollars. Here’s a few products I’ve come across that can always be found in my dog and gear bags.
Musher’s Secret
Anyone that runs their dog in the snow have without a doubt had their dog stop and bite at ice balls between their toes or ice buildup on their feet. Musher’s Secret is a natural and pliable wax mixture that is applied directly to feet. It takes a few short minutes to treat a dog, and any leftover can be rubbed into your own hands which also helps your own “paddies” in the dry, frigid air. Another bonus is it doesn’t stain or mark carpet later on after the hunt. The wax essentially makes the foot snow-proof and ice-proof. (It even can help with keeping bells clean and ringing).
Permethrin-10
A fantastic tick repellent and killer (if they don’t jump ship fast enough) that is as economical as it is effective. The great thing is it works both on your clothes and your dog. This isn’t the first time it’s been referred to on this blog, read an earlier article here.
The Tick Key
Durable aluminum designed for a keychain, lanyard, glovebox or gear bag. If you are unfortunate to find an attached tick, the Tick Key does a nice job removing without ripping the body from the head (still attached) or squeezing the body which can act like a syringe for pathogens the tick may be carrying.
Fortiflora (Canine)
Purina offers a probiotic that is great to have in your gear travel bags. Beyond the typical health benefits that probiotics provide, these space-saving food additive packets can help stress and travel incidents of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive gas. I haven’t yet found a dog that hasn’t found it incredibly palatable and have even used it as an incentive for picky eaters – particularly dogs on the road that all but refuse to eat.
Y-TEX PYthon Cattle Ear Tags
A little unconventional, the purple cattle ear tags contain permethrin that keeps pests at bay on dogs. Just zip tie one around a collar while other real go-getters cut off a portion and rivet them onto the collar. For $29.99 for 20 tags (can be cut in half to make 40), you’re saving yourself a considerable chunk of change not having to pay for the marketing overhead from the house pet pest control brands.
Saline Solution
I get the cheapest solution I can find as I’m not using it to “rejuvenate” contact lens moisture, I’m trying to flush botanical gunk, sometimes using as many as several ounces in one instance. Saline flushes are particularly useful on those “mean seeds” that can inflame inner eyelids and get dogs pawing at their aggravated eyes.
Terramycin
For more advanced eye care, this is a antibiotic intended for direct application to eyes. It’s pricey but eyesight in a sporting dog is priceless. This is great insurance to ensure corneal abrasions heal as fast as possible and near miraculous performance on corneal perforation (meaning it was penetrated). Some sporting dog owners use it after every trip afield.
