Small animal bandaging

Question 1

Reasons for bandaging

Answer 1

1. Protect wounds from the environment.
2. Discourage the patient from interfering with a wound.
3. Control bleeding and minimize swelling.
4. Provide support for strains or sprains.
5. Immobilize a limb in the case of:
   * Strains or sprains
   * Fracture
   * Reduced luxation or dislocation
   * Wound in a mobile area
6. Reduce pain through immobilization.

Question 2

material size selection

Answer 2

• Cats and small dog limbs – 1” to 2”
• Medium dog (lamb, kid limbs) – 2” to 3”
• Large dog limbs and body – 3” to 4”
• Horse – 4” to 6”

Question 3

Three layers of bandaging

Answer 3

1. Primary Layer – in contact with a wound
2. Secondary Layer – provides padding/absorption
3. Tertiary Layer – provides support/protection

Question 4

Primary bandage layer can be either

Answer 4

• Occlusive
• Impermeable to moisture but allows some air transfer
• Used for bandaging that requires infrequent changing due to minimal amounts of exudate.
• Semi-occlusive
• Allows both air and moisture to move through the dressing
• Used for bandages that require daily changing due to copious amounts of exudate

Question 5

Secondary layer of bandage

Answer 5

• An absorbent, padded, conforming layer
• Absorbs wound exudates
• Pads and protects the wound
• Supports and immobilizes
• Materials:
• cast padding or cotton wool roll
• Needs at least 3 layers of padding

Question 6

Tertiary layer of bandage

Answer 6

• Holding and protective layer
• Includes some form of roll gauze and elastic, self-adhesive tape such as Vet Wrap
• Should overlap itself by 50%
• This layer should:
• Be non-occlusive to allow air transfer
• Provides pressure
• Protects inner layers from the environment and patient interference (hopefully!)

Question 7

How to check a bandage

Answer 7

After applying a bandage it should be checked to ensure it is not too tight or too loose.
* Too tight and it will restrict blood flow.
* Too loose and it will fall off.
* You should be able to just get one finger under the bandage at the top or bottom.
* You should not be able to pinch and raise any areas of the bandage.
* The bandage should be an even tension from top to bottom.
* the bandage shouldn’t get wider/narrower at any spots or have significant bunching.

Question 8

How often should a bandage be evaluated

Answer 8

• Bandages should be evaluated at least once daily.
• Can be in-clinic by staff or at home by owner.
• This ensures that it hasn’t slipped, bunched, become too tight, gotten wet, etc.

Question 9

What do we check for in bandage and why

Answer 9

• If covering a wound, check bandage for odor, saturation with tissue fluids/blood (strikethrough).
• Bandages that have become wet from any reason need to be changed.
  Exposed toes are checked visually for swelling and by touch for temperature
• If toes feel cold to the touch this indicates a lack of blood flow to the toes
• The bandage is too tight!
• If toes are swollen, this indicates restricted blood flow.
• The bandage is too tight!
• Can assess for swelling by evaluating the space between the 2 exposed toes.
• If they are swollen the toes will splay out and be further apart than they were initially.

Question 10

How often do you change bandages

Answer 10

• Bandages over actively draining wounds should be
  changed every few hours.
• This would usually only apply to in-clinic patients.
• Bandages over non-draining wounds are changed every 24 to 48 hours.
• Owners would usually bring pet into clinic for bandage change.
• Bandages with no wound may be changed less frequently (Q3-4 days).
• Owners would usually bring pet into clinic for bandage change.