Good chest protector

[Oahe MrL]

I feel like a hypocrit typing this. A few years ago a person on WC made a post about losing a family dog. My response of, "It's just a dog, get a new pup." could not have been harsher. To that person, I am truly sorry.

This past saturday was the pheasant opener in SD and my dad and I had my 2 year old GSP, Kota, out for a couple of hours of hunting. The second place we walked had some blow-down, long dead trees. Kota went on point and as I walked in 2 roosters got up. One flow toward my dad and he downed the bird. With early season hunting comes excited dogs and Kota was revved up plenty. He took off and tried to run through one of those downed trees. As he hit the tree he bellowed and cried. He took a broken off tree branch to his shoulder and ended up with a 4" deep puncture wound. A 1 1/2" piece of wood was embedded in his shoulder, we didn't know till we got to the vet. He has since had 2 drain tubes put in and this evening the vet drained 100 ml of blood and pus from around his lungs. He's an awesome dog; never barks, loves my kids, minds very well and hunts hard.

Two comments - First, I want my dog to be a hard charger. That's what makes him a good hunting dog. So, as sorrowed as I am this evening, I have to not be surprised by an accident like this. 2nd - I have to get a good chest protector for him, and future dogs. But it may not have done any good in this instance. Does anyone know of a good protector for thinner breed dogs like German Shorthairs? Seems many of the protectors out there are made for labs / bigger, wider dogs.

Take care.
Martin

[Oahe MrL]

Thought I'd toss in a couple of pics.

[rebs]

beautiful pooch. I am sorry to hear about his accident and pray for a full recovery

[stinkycat]

Hope he has a speedy recovery! Good looking dog.

I have often wondered about the chest protectors but was concerned with over heating my dog. I also now have a thinner breed dog, labs in the past, and will be possibly be looking at a chest protecter. I am still wondering about the heat?

[ksx3]

Nice looking dog. Sorry about the accident. If he is anything like mine, scrapes, cuts, etc don't matter. He loves nothing more than hunting. Don't beat yourself up over situation. When he gets better just try to go without him. Bet if he sees the gun he'll be all over you.

The velcro skid plates tend to fall off / come undone in the field. I suppose if you had it custom fit they would be better. I have always wanted to try the zip down the back style.

My big fear is having the dog hung up via the vest / protector. Have had to get my Vizsla released from barbwire, thorns and wild rose in the past.

I believe https://www.uglydoghunting.com/ has different vests, but I believe their catalogue had more to choose from than their website. At least it would be a place to start.

[seaotter]

I use a cabelas neopreme chest protector vest. It is to warm for hot weather and I have a canvas one for then. My E Pointer took a pine stick in the chest and could have killed her. A trip to the vet and surgery she was ok. Had the same deal with drain tubes and draining.

[merv]

The best chest/belly protector I have found is a product from Mendota called the Skid Plate. It has protected my Wirehair from a lot of barbwire and other nasty stuff.

[merv]

His skid plate slid down a little in this picture, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.

[Oahe MrL]

It's been 11 days and Kota is still not home. On monday the Bismarck vet installed a chest tube. That evening they withdrew 1500 ml of fluid from his chest. The X-rays showed his heart pushed up against the right ribs, left lung all cloudy, left side diaphram distended to the rear pushing his abdomen downward. His breathing was very difficult and once the fluid was removed he rested a lot easier. They're removing 150-300 ml twice a day this week. Projections are positive, but it's unknown if there is still a foreign object between his ribs. If the fluid doesn't cease in another week or so, they might have to do an explaratory surgery to try and find it. I'm not sure if I want to go down that road...hoping we don't have to go there and he heals.

Although a skid-plate wouldn't have helped Kota as his wound was in his left shoulder, he'll definitely get one next season. Thanks for the responses.

Martin