Bandaging
We use bandages for several reasons: to protect wounds from the environment, protect the environment from wounds, and to discourage the pet from licking or irritating a wound. They may be applied as support for strains or sprains and to prevent motion. Proper application is important.
Cleaning the Wound
The process of bandaging begins with careful cleaning of the wound. All dried blood, dirt, and debris should be washed away using mild soap and copious amounts of water. Hair should be clipped away so that it cannot lie in the wound, and, if possible, the area should be patted dry.
The first step in proper bandaging is making sure the wound is clean.
The Contact Layer
After cleaning the wound, the contact layer is the first layer applied. Ideally, this layer should:
** Be sterile and inert.
** Stay in close contact with, but not stick to, the wound.
** Be very absorbent.
** Be free of particles or fibers that might shed into the wound.
** Conform to all shapes. Allow drainage to pass to the next layer without becoming wet.
** Minimize pain.
A Telfa-Pad, available at most pharmacies, comes closest to meeting these requirements. After cleaning the wound, place the contact layer over the wound. It is desirable to apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) to the pad, but this is not absolutely necessary. Frequent bandage changes are more important.
After cleaning the wound, a clean Telfa-Pad should be applied over the area.
The Absorbent Layer
After the contact layer is in place, apply the second (absorbent) layer to hold the contact layer snugly, but not tightly, over the wound. This layer is usually a cotton or dacron material which comes in various widths. Generally, 1-inch rolls are used for small limbs and the tail, 2-inch rolls are for medium-sized legs, and the 3- and 4-inch rolls are for large legs and the body. It is important to use the proper size. Materials that are too narrow often cause a tourniquet effect, especially if the wound causes swelling.
If materials are too wide, they are difficult to apply smoothly. Any wrinkles or ridges may cause the bandage to become uncomfortable for your pet. Uneven pressure may cause necrosis (tissue death) of the underlying tissues.
Begin with just enough absorbent layer to hold the contact layer in place. If the wound is on a leg or the tail, proceed by wrapping from the toes or the tip of the tail towards the body. If you begin at the top of the leg or the tail, the bandage is more likely to restrict blood flow and cause swelling, which may cause tissue damage. Apply several layers of absorbent material, which will soak up the fluid from the wound and increase the patient's comfort by cushioning the wound.
Make sure the material you use as the absorbent layer is the proper width, and wrap from the toes or tail tip towards the body.
The Outer Layer
Finally, apply the outer (tertiary) layer, usually made up of porous adhesive tape or elastic tape (i.e., Elastikon, Vetrap). Wrapped from the toes towards the body, this layer should also be smooth and snug. Do not pull elastic tapes to their limits, as this will interfere with circulation and result in bandage failure. The tape should be in contact with the skin (hair) at the bandage margins, anchoring the bandage so it will not slip.
The outer layer of a bandage should be applied smoothly and snugly, but not tight enough to cutoff blood circulation.
Bandage Changes
Bandages should be checked frequently for any signs of swelling discoloration or coolness of the skin, odor, or saturation of the bandage material. The bandage should be changed whenever any of the above are noticed or any time it appears to be uncomfortable for the pet. Wounds that are draining heavily may require bandage changes every 1 or 2 hours. Bandages over wounds with little or no drainage should be changed every 24 hours.