Vet Nursing 1 Lecture Final - Wounds & Bandaging

Phase 1 of wound healing

Inflammation & Debridement (0–3/5 days): hemostasis, vasodilation, WBCs, neutrophils → macrophages, debris removal, growth factor release

Phase 2 of wound healing

Proliferation/Repair (3–5 days): angiogenesis, fibroblasts → collagen, myofibroblasts → contraction, granulation tissue, epithelialization

Phase 3 of wound healing

Maturation/Remodeling (7–14 days+): apoptosis, collagen remodeling, scar forms (70–80% tensile strength)

Clean wound

Surgical, aseptic conditions

Clean-contaminated wound

Minor break in asepsis or entry into GI/GU with minimal contamination; <6 hours old

Contaminated wound

Foreign debris, spillage, major aseptic break; >6 hours old

Dirty wound

Old or infected wound; >12 hours old; >10^5 organisms/gram tissue

Primary closure

Immediate closure; clean or clean-contaminated wounds

Delayed primary closure

2-5 days post-injury before granulation; clean-contaminated or contaminated

Secondary closure

>5 days after injury once granulation tissue forms

Healing by second intention

Wound heals on its own via granulation, epithelialization, contraction

Laceration

Cu/tear in skin; cleaned, lavaged, surgically closed

Abrasion

Superficial dermal injury; heals by re-epithelialization; keep moist

Degloving injury

Skin sheared off; high infection risk; may need grafting

Bite wounds (cats vs dogs)

Cats: small punctures, high infection; Dogs: variable, deeper damage possible

Gunshot wounds

Deep, contaminated, extensive internal damage; often surgical

Penetrating objects (knife, arrow, stick)

DO NOT REMOVE; stabilize and surgically explore

First-degree burn

Epidermis only; pain, redness

Second-degree burn

Epidermis + dermis; blistering, drainage

Third-degree burn

Full thickness kin; eschar, loss of pain, scarring

Fourth-degree burn

Skin, muscle, tendon, bone; critical; surgery required

Decubital ulcer cause

Prolonged pressure → decreased blood flow → tissue death

Pressure sore prevention

Repositioning, nutrition, cleanliness, padded bedding

Common factors delaying healing

Diabetes, steroids, FeLV/FIV, geriatric age, obesity, malnutrition, necrosis, hypotension, hypothermia

Initial wound management

Stabilize patient, cover wound, clip, clean surrounding tissue, lavage

Ideal lavage pressure

7-8 psi

Common lavage fluids

LRS or 0.9% NaCl (warm)

Skin graft

Skin moved without blood supply; needs vascular bed

Skin flap

Skin rotated with blood supply intact; better healing

Skin advancement

Reduces tension via undermining, releasing incisions

Therapeutic laser benefits

Pain relief, less inflammation, greater angiogenesis, faster healing

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Autologous platelets release growth factors; antimicrobial benefits

Passive drain

Penrose; gravity/capillary; cannot quantify; infection risk

Active drain

Jackson-Pratt; suction; measurable output

When to remove drain

1-2 mL/kg/day or plateaued normal fluid

Primary layer

Contacts wound; debridement, medication, moisture control

Secondary layer

Absorption, comopression, stabilization

Tertiary layer

Protection, secures bandage

Robert Jones bandage

Thick, bulky; temporary immobilization of distal limb

Modified Robert Jones

Less bulky; toes exposed; splint may be added

Tie-over bandage

Hard-to-bandage areas (axilla, inguinal)

Spica splint

Immobilizes shoulder or hip; limb wrapped to torso

Ehmer sling

Pelvic limb; femoral head luxation

Velpeau sling

Forelimb; shoulder injuries

Strike-through means what?

Bandage must be changed

Signs bandage too tight

swelling, chewing, necrosis risk

E-collar purpose

Prevent bandage destruction

Angiogenesis

Formation of new blood vessels

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death

Debridement

Removal of necrotic tissue

Exudate

Fluid leaked from vessels into tissue