Skip to main content

Common Late Season Injuries for Gun Dogs

Treating and preventing common cold weather ailments with your canine.

Common Late Season Injuries for Gun Dogs

Most of your preparation strategies should focus on preventing two potentially life-threatening scenarios, hypothermia, and frostbite. (Photo By: Seth Bynum, DVM)

Those of us willing to push aside our creature comforts and brave the late season are often rewarded with some of the best hunting of the year. But these rich spoils come with increased risk for injury and exposure for our hunting dogs. Indeed, as temperatures fall, the risk of cold-related injury starts to rise. While you’re stuffing extra gloves in your vest, a little preparation will help extend your time in the field and keep your gun dog safe when the weather turns south.

Admittedly, some of this advice may seem obvious, but often the most obvious steps in preventing cold weather injuries can escape us in the heat of the moment. I’m guilty of rushing through my normal pre-hunt preparation when a cold front rolls in and offers an opportunity to pursue some hungry, late season roosters. The chance to hurriedly capitalize on a brief window of unfavorable weather is so seductive, in fact, that I’ve even forgotten my shotgun on more than one occasion.

After hypothermia and frostbite, it’s important to acknowledge and prepare for any and all other cold weather injuries that are just as likely to cause discomfort and an unwelcomed truncation of an otherwise spectacular outing.

german shorthaired pointer running in snowy field with a dead ring-necked pheasant rooster in mouth
While you’re stuffing extra gloves in your vest, a little preparation will help extend your time in the field and keep your gun dog safe when the weather turns south. (Photo By: Seth Bynum, DVM)

Hypothermia

Admittedly, hypothermia is a condition rarely seen in the clinic, and the few cases that occur usually involve bird dogs who have spent several nights in the field after getting separated from their owners. In these scenarios, prevention is paramount. If you don’t already, utilize a fully charged GPS collar and transmitter during every outing, regardless of how short and simple the outing may be. In my own experience, your dog will wait for the day you forgot your GPS collar to chase deer far over the horizon and spend the night outdoors. 

If you find your bird dog disoriented, lethargic, or shivering uncontrollably in the field, you should take immediate action to warm him up, even if it means cutting short your late season hunt, as these are some of the symptoms of hypothermia. Those behavioral changes signal that vital organs, specifically the brain, are being robbed of their energy sources as the body tries to compensate for the drop in temperature. Take immediate action and get your hunting dog out of the field, dried off and warmed up in the cab of the truck.


Frostbite

To protect vital organs in their core, the dog’s body restricts blood flow to its natural heat radiator zones in response to a drop in temperature. During your hunt, pause and examine your dog’s ear tips, feet, and the skin around the nose, as these regions are vulnerable to frostbite. Don’t neglect to examine other tissue like the tip of the tail or the scrotum of intact males, as I’ve seen cold-related injuries to these often-overlooked body parts as well. If any of those areas are painful, dark red or purple, or cold to the touch (go on and feel, don’t be bashful), cut your hunt short and retreat to the truck.

Back home, closely examine those areas for discoloration—especially if they’re black or dark red—as these changes may indicate that some of the skin has been frostbitten and at an increased risk for infection. If you suspect this has occurred, get your veterinarian involved right away.

Cold Tail

If your gun dog has experienced “cold tail” (“cold water tail” or “limber tail” depending on where you live) you’ll likely recall how his happily wagging rudder suddenly became flaccid and painful. This condition often causes panic in my clients, but despite the severity of the symptoms, their hunting dog (usually a retriever) will be on the mend quickly.

yellow labrador retriever carrying a dead drake goldeneye duck in icy water
Chilly water, vigorous swimming and fatigue of these muscle groups during a hunting outing likely contribute to the onset of cold tail, but a case can occur at any time and under any conditions. (Photo By: Seth Bynum, DVM)

While a complete inventory of all the factors contributing to this ailment is not completely apparent, cold tail usually involves spraining the muscles used in swimming and tail wagging. Chilly water, vigorous swimming, and fatigue of these muscle groups during a hunting outing likely contribute to the onset of this condition, but a case can occur at any time and under any conditions. One of the most severe cases of “cold tail” I’ve seen involved an older Labrador that overindulged in playful swimming and retrieving during a warm summer weekend. 

Many hunting dog owners assume a fracture is to blame for the peculiar position and sharp pain of the tail, and rightfully so. Dogs with cold tail commonly experience a piercing pain about four inches from the tail base and they hold the tail limp or off to one side. Often the hair above the tail base is raised. Many dogs with this condition aren’t shy about letting you know they resent contact there. 

Fortunately, most cases come around quickly with rest and pain management. Also, this injury rarely strikes twice, even when conditions and terrain are identical. Proceed with caution, but I wouldn’t let an episode of cold tail prevent me from getting back in the field or blind after your dog has fully recovered.

A Vest for Harsh Conditions

While certainly not required, neoprene vests can be a real game-changer in preventing some cold-related injuries. As a veterinarian, I’m commonly asked at what temperatures bird dog owners should suit up their pups, and the answer depends more on the hunting situation than the mercury. Windy conditions sap precious warmth quickly, and its chilling effects are exacerbated by water retrieves. A vest can aid in warmth retention for the body core, allowing for better blood flow to vulnerable extremities like ears, tail, and feet. 

Vests aren’t required in all chilly scenarios. For field work at running speeds, I believe most versatile breeds generate enough heat during this high-intensity activity to forego the vest in harsh weather. In fact, their use could contribute to overheating in more mild conditions, as that much lean muscle tends to generate a mind-blowing amount of warmth. I rarely suit up my dogs when working the uplands in chilly but otherwise dry and calm conditions. In these instances, the vest’s efficiency at trapping heat may be counterproductive in most field situations where your bird dog is covering ground at a steady clip.

If protection from field injuries is your only concern, opt for a skid plate or light nylon vest in lieu of neoprene. But don’t get complacent with a sense of invincibility here, either. As a vet who has sutured hundreds of field lacerations, sticks, rebar, and barbed wire have a penchant for finding flesh, no matter how tough and extensive the armor.

Protect the Feet

Basic foot and pad coverings can make a significant difference in your bird dog’s ability to navigate frozen terrain, particularly if patches of ice and crust cover the landscape. Not only can boots provide insulation from the frozen ground beneath, but they also protect a dog’s pads from sharp crusts of snow and ice as well as potential hazards hidden underneath their surface. 

Additionally, boots can prevent accumulation of ice within the interdigital spaces of the feet, a particularly vulnerable area among bearded and feathery-legged breeds. Whether you employ boots or not, don’t neglect your dog’s nails. You should aim for claws that are long enough to provide traction on the ice but short enough to prevent cracking or tearing by the increased shearing forces of frozen ground. A torn or broken nail is a painful and bloody mess that’s likely to sideline your bird dog for weeks. They’re notoriously slow to heal, tender, and best avoided with proper nail husbandry.


Feed for Warmth

The idea that food is fuel certainly applies to feeding a working bird dog. As complex metabolic machines, dogs can convert fats into energy rapidly and efficiently. When temperatures drop, dogs also rely on the metabolism of food to maintain warmth, and some can burn through the calories of a day’s worth of dog food just maintaining adequate body temperature when the mercury drops, even at rest. 

In harsh conditions of cold weather and multiple day hunts, don’t skimp at mealtime. A generous portion of high-quality, high-fat-and-protein kibble should be in the dish after they’ve recovered from the hunt, as this window of time is precisely when their bodies can most effectively utilize those calories. Soaking kibble in warm broth or water can aid in digestion and increase palatability for finicky eaters while helping a dog maintain hydration following a hunt.

two german shorthaired pointers running in a snow-covered field
A generous portion of high-quality, high-fat-and-protein kibble should be in the dish after they’ve recovered from the hunt, as this window of time is precisely when their bodies can most effectively utilize those calories for warmth. (Photo By: Seth Bynum, DVM)

Protect yYour Water

While it’s true that dogs don’t sweat much, they’re still susceptible to fluid loss through the respiratory tract, even in winter.  In cold conditions, my dogs rarely pester me for a drink from the water bottle, and they seem to mostly satisfy their urge for refreshment through nibbles of snow. Despite the lower temperatures, water remains an essential ingredient for muscle metabolism and recovery following the hunt, and it’s important not to neglect hydration in the late season. 

When the weather turns south, focus on keeping your water stash protected and in liquid form. I trade in my hydration bladders and plastic tubing for wide-mouth bottles that can be tucked close to my body to prevent freezing. Store bulk water in the cab of the truck when temperatures drop well below freezing, or consider protecting part of your stash inside a cooler for insulation.

Share the Warmth

Even though I’ve devoted much of my adult life to dogs, I’m occasionally labeled an elitist for my insistence on keeping them out of the cab of my truck. Perhaps the years of spending each working day covered in pet hair and body fluids have stoked a desire to maintain at least a small portion of my personal space free from the influence of other mammals. 

When my dogs get in a compromised situation, though, a blanketed sauna in the floorboard will not only win me adoration from my canine crew but may mitigate the risk of dangerous hypothermia. 

When my female shorthair brought back the last of a limit of Canada geese from a partially frozen pond a few years back, we made a heated nest atop my hunting jacket in a direct line of the heater vent. There was no time to put her in a vest beforehand as the flocks circled in from the north. We had to act quickly or forego an opportunity for a freezer full of goose meat. I tolerated the errant hair and wafting aroma of wet dog for the peace of mind of knowing she’d recover from the icy swim quickly and safely. A wet ride home in her regular kennel would have been undeniably chilly and uncomfortable, if not imminently life-threatening. 

For less severe encounters, I ensure my dog kennels are covered and insulated from wind and cold in the back of my truck. Keep natural bedding of trailers and dog boxes fresh and dry, as scant or damp materials will slowly starve them of body heat while they’re recovering.

Just Get Out There

Overall, I don’t treat many cold-related injuries in practice, due in large part to diligent owners that keep tabs on their hunting partners and prevent disasters before they take hold. Keeping dogs safe in cold weather doesn’t require fancy gear or advanced degrees, simply an awareness of the risks and a little extra planning and a reasonable means of retreat. Paying attention, being prepared with a vest in the right conditions, and having an exit plan when the weather gets the upper hand will usually suffice at preventing a complete catastrophe afield.

To Continue Reading

Go Premium Today.

Get everything Gun Dog has to offer. What's Included

  • Receive (6) 120-page magazines filled with the best dog training advice from expert trainers

  • Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts.

  • Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine.

  • Unique editorial written exclusively for premium members.

  • Ad-free experience at GunDogMag.com.

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber? Sign In or start your online account

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Dog jumping out of phone with Gun Dog website in the background
Make the Jump to Gun Dog Premium

Gun Dog Premium is the go-to choice for sporting dog owners and upland hunting enthusiasts. Go Premium to recieve the follwing benefits:

The Magazine

Recieve (6) 120-page magazines filled with the best dog training advice from expert trainers.

Training Videos

Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts.

Digital Back Issues

Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine.

Exclusive Online Editorial

Unique editorial written exclusively for premium members.

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber? Sign In or Start your online account

Go Premium

and get everything Gun Dog has to offer.

The Magazine

Recieve (6) 120-page magazines filled with the best dog training advice from expert trainers.

Training Videos

Exclusive bird dog training videos presented by Gun Dog experts.

Digital Back Issues

Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine.

Exclusive Online Editorial

Unique editorial written exclusively for premium members.

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber? Sign In or Start your online account