YOUR WALKING BUDDY

Happy Hiking with Your Hound

By Bianca Shaw, DVM

Ready to hit the trails with your four-legged companion? Are you both well prepared? By reviewing these mental and physical safety checklists, you will both be ready to enjoy the hike.

Know your terrain: Plan your way in and out, as well as any shortcuts you might need in case of emergency. Trail conditions change seasonally, and you may encounter fallen trees, high water, rock slides, or washed out trails or bridges. Consider whether you can pack your dog out if injured or attacked, or whether you would need to immobilize or secure your dog while you go for help. Carry a leash out of courtesy to other hikers, even if your dog responds to your call. Consider using a harness in rough terrain. It can be used to secure your dog if it slips down a hill or cliff.

Animal behavior: Be wary of wildlife that may potentially lure your dog off the trail or attack if threatened. Many attacks come from other dogs, on or off leash. If you are involved in a dogfight, throw water or some solid object at the dogs first, then resort to a boot heel to the ribs if needed, but keep your hands away from their heads and necks. A dog is likely to bite anything it can grab in the middle of a fight. Don’t be the target. Also, if you pack out your waste, pack out your dog’s waste, too, or bury it appropriately. Don’t leave it on the trail. Don’t leave it to be eaten by some other animal.

Pre-hike conditioning: Your dog should be able to consistently exercise for approximately two-thirds of the planned outing length. For example, if you are planning a 10-mile hike, you both should be able to easily walk seven miles. If you aren’t used to that distance, plan on taking a 10- or 15-minute rest break every hour and offer water. Your dog should be able to stop panting within one to two minutes if resting in the shade. Just because you both could tackle a particular trail last year doesn’t mean you’ll be able to complete it this year, unless you have kept up your training.

Foot care: Keep your dog’s nails trimmed short and the hair between its toes clipped. If your dog has long hair, clipping will minimize debris buildup between its toes. Check all four feet regularly at each rest stop. Look for shinier or pink areas on the pads, tenderness, or debris. Take special care if you are hiking on gravel, hot sand, pavement, ice, or snow. These can wear down pads quickly or cause blistering which may not show up right away. Consider getting your dog used to wearing boots. These are great foot protectors in the event of an emergency. Definitely make paw inspections part of your routine; otherwise you won’t know if your dog is protecting an injury or is just foot shy. Be on the lookout for broken glass, thorns, or sharp metal, especially in the parking area.

Refreshments: For an eight-hour outing, figure on a cup of water for every 10 lbs of body weight. Increase the water supply by 20% if the weather is above 70º F, if the elevation is above 2000’ or if your dog is packing its own supplies. Avoid overloading your dog: Dogs can carry no more than 20% of their ideal weight. Snacks should provide protein and complex carbohydrates; avoid simple sugars and processed grains. There are companies that make energy bars for dogs, but you can share a trail mix of raw nuts, dried fruit (no raisins), and carob (no chocolate.) You’ll need about a quarter cup of snacks (100 to 150 calories) every two hours for a 50-lb dog.

First Aid Kit: Be sure to pack boots or tube socks and white athletic tape, tweezers, and Benadryl™ for itch, bug bite, or bee sting. The proper dosage is 25mg per 25 pounds. Include antibiotic cream, gauze or absorbent padding, and an instant ice pack. A T-shirt can be useful as an impromptu flank wrap, pressure wrap, or belly sling in case of an emergency.

Weather concerns: Dogs do not sweat except at their nose and
foot pads. They exhale their heat. If it is warm or humid, their cooling mechanism is compromised. Take many short breaks. Find shade frequently. Wet their ear flaps, legs, and belly for evaporative cooling, but not the back. The hair over the back provides insulation from direct sunlight. Dogs can get sunburned and go sunblind. If you hike near water or at an altitude, consider tinted Doggles™ to protect their eyes from UV rays.

Bianca Shaw, DVM, owns Back on Track Veterinary Rehabilitation Center, in Portland, OR. She treats dogs and cats with many kinds of injuries, including arthritis, as well as post-operative orthopedic and neurologic conditions. She can be reached at 503-546-8995.