GSP's Belly Scratched and Chaffed

mmcspadden · Post by **mmcspadden** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:05 pm

MY GSP and I are hunting thick cover in Texas. She got her belly messed up pretty good. 2 questions.

1. Can someone recommend a belly guard for hot Texas weather? I don't think something thick and hot would work down here.
2. What can I do for the area Today to help heal the belly?

Thanks,
Marshall

nevermind · Post by **nevermind** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:53 pm

I've used Bag Balm on dogs that were chaffed and had small scratches. I don't have an answer for your 1st question.

rkappes · Post by **rkappes** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:54 pm

Buy a Sylmar vest.

luvthemud · Post by **luvthemud** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:22 pm

I like the mendota skid plate for warmer weather.
http://www.gundogsupply.com/skid-plate-oreange.html

k2k · Post by **k2k** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 7:34 pm

I've used the Skid Plate before with my EP, but haven't in a couple of years. It did a pretty good job protecting her chest and most of her bellly area, but she was kind of in-between sizes at the time. Won't hurt to try one.

Grange · Post by **Grange** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:22 pm

rkappes wrote:Buy a Sylmar vest.

My father has several of Sylmar vests for his brittanies and loves them. He always tells me they are great when it's cold, if it's warm out the dogs get too hot wearing them.

mmcspadden · Post by **mmcspadden** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:11 am

Very Cool!! I will give the skid plates a go. My GSP is really gets after it and would run through anything to find a covey.

Thanks again!!

CCBIRDDOGMAN · Post by **CCBIRDDOGMAN** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:45 am

I have been using the $20 belly / chest protector from Cabelas for several years (only use it a couple of times a year) and so far it has held up good. Does a great job of protecting the belly.

rkappes · Post by **rkappes** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:54 am

I wouldn't waste your $$ on a Mendota. I've tried one and they don't offer much protection. You're better off not using one than you are using a Mendota. Sylmar offers free alterations.

rkappes · Post by **rkappes** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:58 am

Grange wrote:
rkappes wrote:Buy a Sylmar vest.
My father has several of Sylmar vests for his brittanies and loves them. He always tells me they are great when it's cold, if it's warm out the dogs get too hot wearing them.

Yes, I love my Sylmar...best vest I've ever owned. I haven't had trouble with it being too warm. Which includes early season Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed grouse hunting but I can see where they may get warm.

luvthemud · Post by **luvthemud** » Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:23 pm

mmcspadden wrote:Very Cool!! I will give the skid plates a go. My GSP is really gets after it and would run through anything to find a covey.

Thanks again!!

As a other poster mentioned, if your dog is in between sizes, it can be tricky, but the large straps make it pretty easy to alter. My GSP was crazy in the woods and also had very sensitive belly skin. I couldn't let him in the woods without the skid plate on or he would come back trashed.

There is one for sale in the classifieds:viewtopic.php?f=112&t=48441

Preacherman · Post by **Preacherman** » Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:05 am

My dog hates vests/skid plates, so more often than not I'll just be careful about how I position him. I use Vaseline every evening on his scratches, and his paws.

cbump · Post by **cbump** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 1:29 pm

Grange wrote:
rkappes wrote:Buy a Sylmar vest.
My father has several of Sylmar vests for his brittanies and loves them. He always tells me they are great when it's cold, if it's warm out the dogs get too hot wearing them.

I have one and they are ok but the vest itself rubs his arm pits raw. Also sage brush still tore his belly and groin up in Colorado this year.

mmcspadden · Post by **mmcspadden** » Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:09 am

I used the vest seen here in the avatar. It worked great for the belly area, but rubbed her in the chest from running.

Fix one thing break another.

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