This page is dedicated to education for dog handlers and dogs.  It will be updated as personal experiences warrent.

If you have any interesting ideas, please contact us.

 

As summer comes upon us there are a few things

that everyone can be watchful of.

 

Poison Ivy and Snakes

 

American Search Dog Handlers are taking advantage of a new serum that is being offered by your local veterinarian.  Dr. Doughty of Mountain View Animal Hospital in Layton, Utah, first brought this to our attention and we quickly acted upon it.  The new serum is given in an initial shot with a

booster one month later.

 

The purpose is to protect our partners against the disastrous possibility of rattlesnake strikes.    Although it does not stop the venom from attacking the system after a strike, it is supposed to slow it down, giving us a bit more time to get our dogs to the closest veterinarian for treatment.

 

Of course it is always wise to do aversion training with your dog before you go out into the mountains, teaching them of the dangers of the rattlesnake.

 

 

 

POISON IVY

 

Learning to recognize this shiny beauty is very important.  So many people have experienced a run-in of some kind with Poison Ivy.

One painful experience by an American Search Dog handler will be shared here in hopes that others can avoid such miserable times.

 

While running in the hills with her dogs, this handler didn't notice the path her dogs had taken during the exercise period.  When they got home she spent some quality time playing with them before going inside.

 

The dogs had rubbed against her legs as they played ball.  She was unaware that they had run through Poison Ivy and were now transfering their gift all over her bare legs.  The results were long lasting and required medical attention.  Besides the discomfort, there is a possibility of scarring and other medical issues if not treated properly.

 

Since the incident we have heard several reports of ways to deal with the itch and pain of poison ivy while in the field and before you can get to your doctor.

 

Several people have mentioned a small plant called Lambs Ear that is often found in the same vacinity as Poison Ivy.  

 

Taking the leaves and rubbing them over the affected area is supposed to ease and/or counteract the reaction to the ivy.  If anyone knows for sure, please let us know so we can add that information to this site.

 

 

 

 

Heat Stress / Heat Stroke

(This article comes to us from former ASD Handler, Brian Burke)

 

 

Heat stress

 

Symptoms of Heat stress are: 

 

*If you are urinating and it is a very dark yellow, you are already starting to dehydrated

*If you stop urinating you are most likely entering the realms of heat stress.  

*If you stop sweating, it doesnt mean that your body isnt over heating, it may mean that                                    

you are out of body fluid to sweat.  This is actually an early symptom of heat stress.

 

Symptoms of dehydration can include:

 

*Arm, leg or abdominal cramps

*Weakness

*Fatigue

*Poor or blurred vision

*Dizziness

*Headache

*Irritability

*Just to name a few

 

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Heat stroke (or Hyper-Pyrexia) 

 

Symptoms of Heat induced Stroke are:

 

*Nausea

*Vomiting

*Delirium

*Shortness of breath

*Seizures

*Even Coma

 

If you start to feel any of these symptoms stop!

 

*Find a buddy and tell him whats going on. 

*Find shade immediately

*Drink cool water (not cold or ice water) This rapid temperature change can cause the body to go into seizures

*Wet down the victims cloths, body and hair WITH COOL WATER/NOT ICE WATER

*STAY as CALM and keep the victim as you can be expected

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP

 

 

 

Artificially cooling your head:

 

Your head is your body's thermostat.  If you trick it into thinking you are cool, it complies with what it is feeling and may shut down your sweat glands. 

 

I have used the "Cool-Wraps" that you soak, place in ice and put around your neck.  They are awesome because you have two huge arteries in the neck called the Carotid Arteries.  These arteries carry a large amount of blood to your body and they are close to the surface of the skin.  When a neck wrap is used it will cool your blood and transfer the cold through out your body. Your wrists are also an area that is packed with blood vessels and you can use this area as a hot or cold transfer spot.