Injury

[PRH]

My 3 year old lab picked up a really nasty cut to her knee yesterday. It was odd in as much as it is a downward cut right around the knee leaving a big, deep flap. Mrs H had taken them all for a walk and hosed them down afterwards but didn't notice anything at the time. The dog wasn't limping or licking it.

I spotted it last night and spoke to the vet (also a friend). She went in this morning to be stitched up and happily there is no perm damage. I'm off to fetch her in a bit, no doubt she will be feeling a bit sorry for herself. I can't work out what made the cut as it is really quite clean / straight and the walk is one she has done many times before.

[PRH]

Back home, all bandaged up and rather woozy. Vet thinks it must have been metal or glass to create such a deep and clean cut. Maybe some old feeders in the woods, who knows. £300. I guess I've been lucky in 15 years of owning labs that they haven't had real injuries out shooting and picking up.

[ips]

Poor thing, hope she is feeling better soon

[PRH]

Thanks IPS. She has just had a feed so is looking a bit perkier!

[ips]

Thanks IPS. She has just had a feed so is looking a bit perkier!

That's good then

[Judy]

One of my Flatcoats was out sweeping through after a drive and came back with a cut straight across her wrist , never did find out what she must have run into. Blood everywhere but luckily missed the tendons and major blood vessels, scary. I think we are all lucky that we don't see a lot more injuries.

[CockerCanuck]

PRH, I would say 15 years of shooting and only one incident which required stiches is very lucky indeed. However it may also be a sign of careful dogs. When I look back on my lifetime with gundogs most would have had one or two "accidents" which required veterinary attention during their career. However a couple seemed to be going to the Vet every 3-4 times they were out. I think dogs can be hard driving but still maintain common sense about self preservation. Others are just plain reckless in their desire. I don't consider it a good thing. They may be exciting to watch but the hunts cut short and the expense of the Vet bills soon gets tiresome.

[PRH]

Indeed. A gun dog man locally (Norman Onens) saw my 3 year old when she was about a year and said as much. ‘She’s too fast for her own good, she’ll do herself damage’. That is just how she is but she has slowed a bit since then, from warp speed to a blur. I don’t know if it is me or the dog, my old lab was a rocket when she was young but is nice and steady now (at 10 and a bit)!

[Judy]

I wonder if dogs that are properly put together are less injury prone? It may just be my experience but the structurally better dogs I have owned seem to have had fewer accidents, particularly fewer cut feet.

[CockerCanuck]

You may be right Judy. The most injury prone dog I ever had was a VERY hard driving springer bitch but she was also quite long legged and a bit awkward looking. She had many injuries including severed Achilles’ tendon, many stiches, surgery to remove imbedded sticks and she nearly killed herself several times under ice. She never gave up on a retrieve even when I was screaming at her to forget the damn bird, save yourself.