Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

BANDAGING A WOUND
EMERGENCIES • 47
Wounds may be left open or bandaged, depending on their location and other
factors. Wounds on the head and neck are often left open to facilitate treatment.
Many wounds of the upper body are difficult to bandage and do not
benefit greatly from being covered.
Bandaging has the advantage of protecting the wound from dirt and contaminants.
It also restricts movement, compresses skin flaps, eliminates pockets
of serum, keeps the edges of the wound from pulling apart, and prevents
the dog from biting and licking at the wound. Bandaging is most effective for
wounds to the extremities. In fact, nearly all leg and foot wounds can benefit
from a bandage.
Dressings over draining or infected wounds must be changed once or twice
a day. The bandage should be bulky enough to absorb the drainage without
soaking through.
Foot and Leg Bandages
To bandage the foot, place several sterile gauze pads over the wound and
secure with surgical adhesive tape. Be careful not to make the tape too tight.
To secure a foot dressing, you will need to continue the bandage up the leg.
For leg wounds, cover the wound with sterile gauze pads. On top, pad the
entire leg with plenty of cotton so the dressing won’t become too tight and
interfere with the circulation. Wrap first with roll gauze, then wrap the leg
with elastic tape or bandage, as shown in the photographs on page 48. Your
veterinarian or a veterinary technician can show you the best way to bandage
a particular wound.
To bandage a foot with a lacerated pad,
first place the foot on several layers of
sterile gauze.
Secure the gauze with surgical adhesive
tape.