4 February

Gus’s ME Journal: 2/4/18 Got The Right Muzzle For Gus!

by Jon Katz
The Right Muzzle For Gus!

FInally, after two weeks of experimentation, we got the right muzzle for Gus. It’s called the Outfox Field Guard, and it’s made in San Francisco.We ended up spending a bit of money on this process and a lot of time. It’s important. We went through five different muzzles before we found one Gus instantly accepted, and that fastens securely over his color.

He can run with it on, even drink with it on, and he doesn’t seem to notice that it’s there. This muzzle is comfortable, it isn’t rigid and doesn’t press against his eyes, or slip off of the snot, at least not so far, and we took it out three times, twice in today’s snow storm.

He chased Fate and Red, nosed up against the sheep, got kicked accidentally by Lulu when he ran underneath her feet (he’s fine).

Not surprisingly, the muzzle is the most expensive one we tried, it was $46 dollars, but worth it for us. Gus cannot go outside with his megaesophagus unless he is restricted from eating feces and other stuff out there that makes his illness worse.

The other muzzles were either too hard, too narrow, poorly attach to the dog’s head or obstruct vision. Nothing will panic a dog quicker than that. The Royal Canin muzzle was the only other one we really considered.

The field guard is good for any outdoor dog in the woods who has trouble digesting what they eat. It attaches to the collar with two velcro straps, and he doesn’t seem to even know that it’s on. This is the only site that asked for the name of the breed and offered a wide range of sizes.

Unlike most, it was not hard, didn’t press on or obscure the eyes, and is simple but efficient at attaching to the dog. These two straps just so over the collar, it would take a lot to jar them loose.

Gus has megaesophagus and he cannot eat anything but the special food and diet that keeps his food from regurgitating. This is essential to his well being and survival.

This is the muzzle for Gus, he can now resume his life as a farm dog and go on walks with us. A good step forward. Grateful to this company, they know what they are doing and seem to have a good grasp of what the customer and dog want and need. So many dogs get sick from eating things out in the woods, this could be important to others.

It’s strange to see Gus with this guard on his head, but more for us than for him. Dogs are nothing if not adaptable.

8 Comments

  1. yep–and they were *made* to exclude foxtails-
    (-those seed-heads are a real problem in California, and expensive to have removed from eyes or nose)

  2. maybe because I’m seeing it in black and white on my kindle but what the hay!
    it appears as a dark screen ..hard to see thru.
    i DO REALIZE how very important it is to protect Gus..life without getting ill.
    I’m not disageeing with your choice. i just feel sad that his vision is now thru a heavy screen and his nose is unble to feel the grass.
    prehaps when seen in color online it won’t appear so dark.

  3. So happy for you all. Especially Gus who is the luckiest boy around to have come to your family for his forever home. God bless!

  4. So happy for Gus and you and Maria. It looks like a mini horse fly mask.. That will help protect his bug eyes when he is out in the woods as well… Although I have to say he looked adorable (if not even mad) in the Hannabil Lechter mask

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