Hunting Tests US
Vol. XIII, Week 28 Jul 15, 2024
ASSESSING & AVOIDING INJURIES IN THE FIELD
Retriever Journal interviews Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a senior veterinarian for Nestle Purina PetCare, on how to evaluate our dogs.
Here are some excerpts:
"Behavior speaks volumes," she said. "Look for abnormalities in personality and routine, along with obvious trauma. For instance, most sporting dogs have a healthy appetite, so not eating might be a warning sign. In addition, look for visual cues, like panting, pulling away, and lethargy. Behaviors are specific to individuals – and handlers typically know what’s normal better than anyone.
"Acute or sudden onset changes are also indicative of issues," Dr. Lobos added. "Anything projectile in nature, vomiting or diarrhea, are tell-tale signs. Explosive vomiting often indicates some kind of intestinal blockage, and chronic diarrhea can rapidly lead to dehydration from fluid loss. If any symptom lingers more than three to four days, it’s time to seek professional assistance.
"Hunters are ultimately responsible for their dog’s fitness, and Dr. Lobos said preseason conditioning plays a big role in injury prevention. Walking a dog on a leash is great for fresh air and socialization, but it’s a relatively low-level exercise and isn’t sufficient for keeping an active hunting dog in optimal condition."Working dogs need to stretch their legs regularly to keep their muscular and cardiovascular systems in tip-top shape. You aren’t setting yourself or your bird dog up for success by simply walking a few miles on a leash," Dr. Lobos said. "Bird hunting involves explosive movement and quick directional changes. Even a brisk walk won’t prepare a dog for this kind of activity, and lack of conditioning can lead to a host of preventable medical issues."Dr. Lobos encourages exercises like swimming, roading, hill workouts, and off-leash running. And here’s one I hadn’t heard of: doggy squats. Simply alternate between sitting and standing. It’s a great exercise for conditioning and responding to voice commands.
Regarding weight control, Dr. Lobos referenced the Purina Lifespan Study, a canine analysis conducted between 1987 and 2001. This revealing, 14-year experiment confirmed that maintaining a healthy weight increased canine longevity by 15 percent, or roughly two years in the 48 Labrador retrievers that were observed. In other words, lean dogs lived longer and experienced fewer medical issues (like cruciate ligament tears) than overweight dogs.Small surprise there, but there’s more: "Protein plays a huge role in muscle recovery," Dr. Lobos added. "Humans tap into carbohydrates – glycogen – and aren’t very good at using fat for energy. Dogs are preferential fat burners and require fat for endurance. Adequate amounts translate into longer, higher-quality hunts.
"As far as other preventable injuries, Dr. Lobos mentioned one of her pet peeves: removing a dog from a kennel and immediately hunting. Ditto for allowing the dog to leap from the tailgate after riding in a crate. "In both cases, all that blood is pooled in the muscles, and it can’t adequately circulate due to the cramped conditions, which often leads to injuries." It’s an easy fix: assist dogs onto the ground rather than allowing them to jump down, and make time for a warmup prior to starting the hunt.
Check out the rest of Jon’s article and his interviews with Dr. RuthAnn Lobos and Dr. Jenelle Appel in the upcoming August/September issue, mailing soon!
LEARNING ABOUT LYMPHOMA
The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center has a webinar tonight on canine lymphoma, specifically updates on therapeutics and treatment protocols.
When: 6:00 PM, July 17
Register here.
LOVE THE DOG YOU HAVE
Week 28
Black Warrior Retriever Club (BWRC) - see full results
Blackhawk Retriever Club (BhRC) - see full results
Colorado Women's Retriever Club (CWRC) - see full results
Finger Lakes Retriever Club (FLRC) - see full results
Fox Valley Retriever Club (FVRC) - see full results
Hinckley Retriever Club (HnkRC) - see full results
Maine Retriever Trial Club (MRTC) - see full results
Mesa Grande Retriever Club (MeGRC) - see full results
Michigan Flyways Retriever Club (MFRC) - see full results
North Dakota Retriever Club (NDRC) - see full results
Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC) - see full results
West Nebraska Retriever Club (WNRC) - see full results
Milestones
9 dogs earned their MH in Straight Initial Passes
Far Reach Ranch's Water Queen MH (YLF, 4.5 yo), owned by Cathy Hamill, Kent Hamill, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Blackhawk Retriever Club (BhRC)
Bayside Labs Bachelorette Party MH (BLF, 5.6 yo), owned by Debra Ziegler, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Hardwoods Large And In Charge MH (BLM, 2.4 yo), owned by Sherrie Johnston, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at North Dakota Retriever Club (NDRC)
The Handy Man Can MH (BLM, 6.6 yo), owned by Charlotte Vandebrake, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at North Dakota Retriever Club (NDRC)
GRHRCH Bcr's Fiddle In The Band MH (YLF, 3.9 yo), owned by Matt James, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Black Warrior Retriever Club (BWRC)
HRCH Harness Creek Cleared Hot MH (CLF, 2.4 yo), owned by Isaac Villafranca, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at West Nebraska Retriever Club (WNRC)
Hunter Haven MH (YLM, 4.7 yo), owned by Kevin Harrison, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Finger Lakes Retriever Club (FLRC)
HRCH Pride Of The Bayou Dixie Reign MH (BLF, 3.4 yo), owned by Rachel Anderson, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Black Warrior Retriever Club (BWRC)
GRHRCH-UH Retrievers Retreat Twisted T MH (BLM, 3 yo), owned by Russell Dusett, earned its MH title in straight initial passes at Michigan Flyways Retriever Club (MFRC)
6 dogs earned their SH in Straight Initial Passes
Bad Thunder's Kylee Dandelion SH (YLF, 1.4 yo), owned by Jason Pfeifer, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Hinckley Retriever Club (HnkRC)
Big Rainy Rex SH (BLM, 2.8 yo), owned by Kolby Ence, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Fsr's Shotgun Scout SH (BLF, 2.1 yo), owned by Rennick Moore, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Maggie's Midnight Skye SH (BLF, 1.9 yo), owned by Mitch Crouser, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Billie Farley SH (YLF, 3.1 yo), owned by Seth Farley, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Finger Lakes Retriever Club (FLRC)
Dodger Of Murphy Lake SH (CLM, 1.9 yo), owned by Tom Atkinson, earned its SH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
15 dogs earned their JH in Straight Initial Passes
Mvp Westmarch C'est La Vie SH (GF, 2.1 yo), owned by Judy Super, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Hinckley Retriever Club (HnkRC)
Grand River's Little Marine JH (BLM, 0.7 yo), owned by Eric Castello, Holly Castello, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Finger Lakes Retriever Club (FLRC)
Greenwood's Tucker JH (GM, 1.5 yo), owned by Ken Greenwood Iii, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Blackhawk Retriever Club (BhRC)
Grumpy's Getting Every Mark JH (BLF, 2.1 yo), owned by Charles Dodd, Betina Dodd, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Finger Lakes Retriever Club (FLRC)
Lakewood Playboy Mr Hot Stuff JH (YLM, 1.9 yo), owned by Karen Rude, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Blackhawk Retriever Club (BhRC)
Mccoy's Mercedes Steady Cadence JH (YLM, 2.9 yo), owned by Vickie Rortvedt, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Blackhawk Retriever Club (BhRC)
Snake River's Let's Go Boys JH (CLM, 2.3 yo), owned by Robert Sweesy, Christina Sweesy, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Winchester's Midnight Storm JH (BLF, 3.4 yo), owned by Doug Gallucci, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
CH Artic Sun's The Mountains Are Calling At Daybreak JH (FCF, 2.8 yo), owned by Cheryl Elledge, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Camilas Cutie Rose JH (YLF, 1.2 yo), owned by Joseph Holand, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at North Dakota Retriever Club (NDRC)
Green Rivers Savage JH (BLM, 2.6 yo), owned by Jim Coffrini, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
I'll Have Another Chocolate Martini JH (CLF, 1.9 yo), owned by Katie Brannan, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Qtk Rubicon The Die Is Cast JH (YLF, 1.3 yo), owned by Rick Neipert, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Fox Valley Retriever Club (FVRC)
Rosie Of Murphy Lake JH (CLF, 1.9 yo), owned by Tom Atkinson, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)
Stk's Kenai's Foxy Lady JH (YLF, 2.2 yo), owned by Julie Moore, Stephen Moore, earned its JH title in straight initial passes at Treasure Valley Hunting Retriever Club (TVHRC)