Bandaging
Learning Objectives
 Discuss indications for bandaging of wounds
and describe the general structure of
bandages
 Describe common types of bandages, slings,
splints, and casts used for small and large
animals and provide indications for their use
Learning Objectives
 Describe procedures for monitoring of animals
with casts, bandages, splints, or slings
 Discuss considerations for bandaging of
abrasions, lacerations, puncture wounds, and
degloving injuries
 Describe classifications of burns and discuss
management of burn patients
Bandaging Purpose
– To prevent simple fractures from becoming more
complicated
– Protection from licking, scratching, biting and any other
forms of self mutilation
– From infection or further contamination
– Holding wound dressings and cold compresses in place
– Immobilizes the wound and promotes healing
Bandaging Purpose
– To improve mobility
– To reduce pain and
swelling
– Extra support for
internal fixation
of fractures
Bandaging Purpose
- Compression bandages are a useful first aid
measure to help arrest hemorrhage.
- Post operatively, bandaging is useful to prevent
excess swelling; therefore reducing and
preventing edema
Bandaging Purpose
– Of a fractured limb to prevent further trauma to damaged
soft tissue
– Of limb to aid speedy recovery of open wounds if near a
joint, where excessive movement is undesirable
– Of limb, if fracture repair is complicated and/or near the
joint requiring complete rest
– If internal fracture repair is not sufficient, and extra support
in the form of a bandage is needed
– Following manipulative procedures, after dislocated hips
having been reduced
Bandaging Purpose
– To hold IV catheter in place
– To keep limb extended for fluid lines and other
such procedures
– When necessary, to secure tail bandage to base of
tail
– To tape pinnae together above dogs head, for ear
or head bandage
Bandages – Wound Healing
1.Protecting the wound from additional trauma
and contamination
2.Preventing wound dessication (drying up)
3.Preventing hematoma and seroma formation
4.Immobilizing the wound to prevent cellular and
capillary disruption
Bandages – Wound Healing
5. Minimize post-op edema around incision
6. Absorbs wound exudate and lifts away foreign
material & loose tissue as bandage is removed
7. Promotes an acid environment
8. Keeping wound warm
Important Points to Remember
• The bandage must serve the
purpose for which it was
intended
• The bandage must be applied
firmly, but not so tightly that
circulation is impaired
• It must be as comfortable as
possible for the patient.
• It must look professional – take
pride in its appearance
Bandage Layers
Primary (contact layer)
Is the first layer and it is in direct contact with the skin or
wound
Telfa Pads
Gauze Sponges
Open wounds should have a sterile primary layer
Primary Layer: Functions
Debridement
Deliver medication
Transmit exudate to 2nd layer
Seal wound
Primary Layer – Adherent
• An adherent primary layer promotes debridement in
the inflammatory stage
– Uses a wide mesh material (sterile gauze), allowing tissue to
become incorporated into the bandage. This tissue is then
removed with the bandage change
– Not highly recommended due to unselective debridement
and damage during the proliferative (repair) stage of wound
healing
– Painful to remove
– Must be changed daily
– Bacterial proliferation and strike-through = disadvantages
with wet/dry primary layer
Types of Adherent Primary Layers
• Dry-to-dry
– Used when loose, necrotic tissue is evident.
– Absorbs exudate, necrotic tissue, and foreign material.
– Debris adheres to dry, sterile gauze and is removed with bandage
change
• Wet-to-dry
–
–
–
–
Used for wounds with dried or semi-dry exudates
Gauze is soaked in saline or chlorhexadine and applied wet
Loosens material from the wound by rehydration
As it dries, exudate is pulled into the material and away from the
wound
Adherent Primary Layers (cont’d)
• Wet-to-wet
– Used on wounds with large amounts of exudates
and transudates
– Material covering the wound is kept moist,
sometimes by injection of fluid into the bandage
– Absorbs fluid easily
– Can be used to heat wound, increasing capillary
action and drainage of wound
– Removed wet (less pain)
– Disadvantage: little wound debridement because of
decreased adhesion to necrotic tissue
Primary - Nonadherent
• Moist wound care is the most important management
principle
• A nonadherent bandage is usually a fine mesh, nonstick
material. This layer promotes moisture retention and
epithelialization with minimal disruption of granulation bed.
– Moist wound care enhances natural debridement within the wound
by drawing the exudate form the wound and allowing the wound to
bathe in this cytokine-rich material
– Involves the uses of nonadherent primary bandage layers that act
to keep the wound surface moist
– Moist wound care results in less inflammation and less wound
disruption
• Either occlusive or semiocclusive
Primary - Nonadherent
– Allows air and moisture to move through the
dressing
– Keeps wound moist yet draws exudate and debris
form the wound
– Indicated for moderate to copious exudate
– Must be changed frequently (Every 1 – 3 days,
depending on exudate production)
Primary – Nonadherent Semiocclusive
• Hydrogel
• Hydrocolloid
• Hydrophilic
• Polyurethane film
• Hydrophilic colloids
(Refer to p. 1237 of CTVT text)
Primary - Nonadherent
• Impermeable to moisture
• Allows some air transfer
• Indicated for minimal exudate
• Promotes epithelialization
• Changed infrequently (every 4-7 days)
• Can be used as a protective layer for new epithelium
preventing desiccation and abrasion of the fragile
tissue.
• Some products adhere to skin (hydrophilic or nonhydrophilic)
Bandage Layers
Secondary
Covers the primary layer and supports the wound
Purpose is to be able to absorb and store fluids from the wound
Materials that can be used for this layer are cast padding or cotton roll. This layer
should not be applied with excessive pressure but snug enough to keep the primary
layer in
Bandage Layers
Tertiary layer
This is the holding and protective layer that holds the bandage in
place
Usually consists of two layers
Vet Wrap
Elastakon
Cling gauze
Tertiary Layer
• Should be nonocclusive to allow air transfer
• Strike-through = outer layer becomes wet, allowing
moisture (and bacteria) to wick through the rest of
the bandage
MUST CHANGE IMMEDIATELY!
• Occlusive = contraindicated (traps excessive moisture
leading to tissue maceration)
Technician Note
• The middle two toes of a bandaged limb should
always be exposed to allow for assessment of
color, warmth, and swelling