Back to Post Op Instructions
The Function of a Bandage
Your pet may well go home with a bandage or dressing to provide support or protection for the following:
- Stop self-trauma of a wound while healing.
- Protect a wound from the environment.
- Reduce contamination of a wound.
- Give comfort and pain relief of sprains, strains and sometimes dislocations whether or not there is a wound present.
The bandage needs to be secure, comfortable, firm and applied properly to allow the tissues underneath to 'breathe'. The latter point is best appreciated if you imagine how uncomfortable you would get if you had a leg or arm wrapped up in cling film for a day or two. Hot, sticky and unpleasant are three sensations that come to mind.
Bandage Problems
These can occur surprisingly easily due to the nature and lifestyles of our pets. Three main problems occur:
- The bandage becomes wet or soiled. This reduces ventilation through the bandage as with the cling film example. If left on for an extended period of time the tissues underneath can become macerated and even infected turning a small problem into a major one.
- The bandage slips. If this occurs it will no longer offer support. The most likely cause of this will be overactivity of the pet or it has chewed or licked at the dressing. Occasionally if the bandage was put on over swollen tissues and this swelling has decreased then loosening and slippage can occur.
- Bandage tightening. This can be due to the bandage being put on a little too tight in the first place or if the dressing has become wet/soiled. Swelling of the tissues underneath occurs causing the bandage to tighten. This results in circulation problems with the tissues underneath. In the worse case this can result in gangrene of those tissues.
What to Watch for:
- Staining of the dressing.
- Unpleasant or foul odours from the dressing.
- Your pet suddenly becomes distressed (eg licking and chewing at the bandage) and pain is found on handling it.
- Gross slippage.
- Significant damage to the bandage by your pet.
If you note any of these changes then you should have the dressing assessed by your veterinary surgeon promptly. But where pain or a foul smell occurs then urgent attention from your vet should be sought. If toes that extend beyond the dressing swell up then immediately remove or loosen the bandage.
Management of the Bandaged Pet
Follow your vet's advice. Keep the bandage clean and dry. Use a protective covering over the bandage when it goes outside especially if it is wet. But promptly remove this on returning inside to avoid the cling film effect.
Don't let the dressing stay on too long, as it will become increasingly soiled. Either change the bandage as instructed or promptly keep your veterinary follow up checks for dressing changes.
Restrict your pet's activity and encourage it to rest. Short lead walks for dogs, keep cats in.
Stop your pet from chewing the dressing. Bitter apple sprays sometimes work, socks can help, if necessary use a buster collar for the inveterate chewers.
Always err on the side of caution as pets can't talk. Concerned? Then get it checked.
The Parkvets hospital and emergency answering service can be reached on 020 8300 8111.
