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DesO'Neile · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: Coat Skin Damage.

Tail damage is an emotive oft discussed topic but I would like to have peoples thoughts on coat/skin damage sustained by smooth coated breeds while hunting heavy cover. My experience of such dogs it limited to one Gerry McErlain bred GSP called Ellie. While she had a silky smooth coat I would have said each individual hair was thicker than the average Pointer's and in any event she wouldn't have tackled the type of cover Chris has been in recently. Obviously Chris hadn't been hunted in brambles in Denmark but as I said to somebody recently when asked how did I get Chris into thick cover, " How can I stop him?" He wasn't exactly enthusiastic at the start of the season but as he has found more birds in cover he is unstopable in all but the very densest bramble. The result is that Chris will carry some of this seasons scars to his grave. I have already started to vaseline his eyebrows with little obvious beneficial effect. Strangely he doesn't seem to pick up and wounds on his briskit. So, what can be done other than a belly protector and vaseline? Are there any suplpements that are of use or any lotions or potions?

shirley cooper · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

This is something I have questions about too, My Weim bitch, 5 yrs old will tackly anything and I am forever picking thorns out of her coat after a shoot which dont bother her at all. She goes into the densest of cover and often cuts around her face and chest, her chest is often red raw. The last couple of times however she has cut her front 2 sets of nipples quite badly. Again it doesnt seem to bother her but yesterday she looked like she had been in a massacre, there was blood everywhere. On examination when we got home there are lots of scratches which look superficial but to bleed that much must have been quite deep I think.
Someone suggested putting sudacream on them before the shoot, I would imagine if I put plasters on they would simply come off and if I bandaged her she could get caught. Its been a year since she had a litter so her teats arent huge but are bigger than average. Does anyone else have this problem?

tashap · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject:

not sure about stopping it in the first place but I carry hibiscrub in a little spray bottle and germolene stuff in a little bottle for cuts. The Germolene goes straight onto the cut and acts as a quick drying but flexible cover. Can be used on paw cuts as well is waterproof. I checked with my vet if it was ok to use it and its fine just not close to the eyes bonus is I can use it on me too.

I did coat her paws first day back on heather worked a treat Very Happy

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These are my personal opinions and do not represent in any way the views of the WCGB.