Hiking With Your Dog This Fall?
Fall is a beautiful time of year. Across the United States, we enjoy vivid colors, cooler weather, and some great opportunities to get outside. This year, above all others, we want to capitalize on that time outside with Fido before it gets too cold; especially here in Midwest! So as you get your coat and your leash (and quite possibly Fido’s coat too) double-check your daypack to make sure you have your first-aid kit before you hit the trail. Injuries occur when you least expect them, and there’s plenty to distract us from thinking about safety first! So make sure you’re prepared with the tools and knowledge to best treat any injuries that might occur!
Splinters and Punctures
Dogs have some pretty robust paw skin that gets them through most everything just fine. In the summer we have to watch out for sunburn to those awesome toe beans, and in the fall we should be mindful of splinters and puncture wounds. As trees start to change for the season, they can drop leaves, branches, and more. Especially in the case of pines trees, which can drop year-round. This creates a lot of debris on the ground, and quite possibly over the trail. Your pooch can unknowingly misstep, and end the rest of the day with a pretty uncomfortable hitchhiker lodged firmly in their paw.
Fortunately, the fix is quite easy. Removing the offending splinter or pine needle should provide instant relief. It’s recommendable to return home as soon as you can, and then gently wash the paw with warm soapy water; antibiotic soap works wonders. In the case of thorns or pine needles, applying an occlusive antibiotic or antimicrobial ointment helps to prevent infection, and be sure to wash again the next day.
Sprains
If you have a dog like my Cayley, then you’re well acquainted with sprains. No matter what my family does, Cayley seems turn corners when running a tad bit too tight, falls, and then walks away with a sprain. With leaves on the trail and quite possibly some nasty weather on your off days, there’s plenty of opportunity to sprain not only your ankle but your dog’s too!
The best way to treat a sprain is to prevent it! If you know you’re in troublesome terrain or if things are hard to make out, slow down your pace and take your time. Your dog will appreciate having the extra time to find a good way to go. If they get a sprain anyway, it’s not too much different from you having a sprain! Slowly make your way back home, and ice the affected paw. Your dog probably won’t appreciate the cold pack when they’re resting, but major sprains benefit greatly from ice to prevent swelling. Minor sprains should clear up in a few days with rest, but for serious sprains you will need to see a vet to make sure there’s not additional damage,
Cuts and scrapes
No matter what time of year, cuts and scrapes are always a risk! Especially in the fall, there’s downed branches, and more that your dog might push by and come away with a few scrapes or a cut from. It’s never fun to deal with!
Make sure you clean any cut or scrape thoroughly. Use a disinfecting wound wash, or a saline solution, to rinse the wound out well. If you don’t have those, warm soapy water with an antibiotic soap works too. For small cuts and scrapes, apply a wound ointment to protect and lubricate the wound as it heals. Change daily with additional washing. For more major injuries, consult a vet as soon as you can.
We also suggest using some HoneyCure on your dog’s cuts and scrapes, leading them to heal faster and also providing a natural honey barrier to promote reduced scarring.
When you head out on the trail with you dog, it might seem like you’re over preparing to have a first aid kit along for the ride, but you’ll appreciate having it when you need it! You wouldn’t go for a hike without a bottle of water, right? So go get outside, and enjoy that awesome fall weather. Whether you’re getting those fall color hikes in here in the Midwest or those more reasonably warm hikes in the South, enjoy the outdoors with your dog as we end 2020!