Emergency Care for Trail Hounds

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Acker says that dogs make great outdoor companions, but they need to be taken care of before, during, and after each outing. For instance, before heading out with your pooch, there are a few things you can do to make the trip safer and thereby reduce the chances of having to use your first aid kit.

For starters, get your dog in trail condition. Too often, we tend to think of dogs as a kind of wonder athlete, ready to go at a moment's notice and able to hike all day, every day, without a problem. Sorry folks, but dogs can be couch potatoes, too. They suffer sore muscles, charlie horses, sprains, and strains, just like we do. To help canines avoid muscle soreness and injury, start them on a conditioning program before you head for the hills. All dogs love morning walks, and hiking dogs (not to mention their hiking owners), will benefit greatly from a long walk in the morning before you head for work and another in the evening when you get home. Build up to three to five miles at a good fast walking pace, and in a couple months, both you and the dog will be toned and ready for a long backpacking trip in the mountains.

Dogs are remarkably resilient on the trail, but there are a few things they must endure that we humans don't. By knowing what to look for, it's easy to keep Fido happy and healthy. One important rule to keep in mind, though, before trying to administer first aid to a dog: Even the most friendly, lovable dog can bite when it is in pain and scared, so apply a muzzle to the injured dog before treating it.