Bandaging 2

What are some possible uses of bandages?

• Protect a dressed wound or IV line

• Assist wound healing

• Protect soft tissue injury

• External coaption for some fractures

What should happen prior to placing a bandage?

Appropriate treatment and dressing (contact layer) depending on the type of wound

Should the same width of bandage be used for each layer?

Yes, to ensure even spread of pressure

What is the padding layer, and what is it for?

• Soft innermost layer (apart from any contact layer)

• Provides shock absorption and spreads pressure evenly across the bandaged area

• Usually constructed using a rolled padding bandage or cotton wool

• Must be applied evenly with no gaps or lumps

What is the conforming layer, and what is it for?

• White open-weave bandage

• On top of padding layer to provide support

• Provides the support, so apply with level of tension and evenly

• Ensure enough tension for adequate support without generating pressure points, gaps or excessively tight restriction

What is the cohesive layer, and what is it for?

• uses a cohesive bandage - bandage sticks to itself

• Provides protection to the outside of the bandage

• Stretchy material - vital they are not stretched during application as they will tighten after application and can restrict circulation

How do you bandage the proximal limbs or trunk regions?

Using a body bandage

How often should bandages be checked?

• At least twice daily to make sure they are comfortable, not wet or soiled and fit for purpose

• Should be able to fit a finger into the top of any bandage applied

What should the timing of bandage changes be?

• Varies depending on the reason for the bandage

  • from more than once a day to weeekly

• Wet or dirty bandages should be changed

• animals that have developed new or further lameness on bandaged limb should also be changed

What is the general homecare advice to give to owners, about bandages?

• Bandages must be kept completely dry - animals kept indoors and cover with waterproof layer if taken out to toilet

• Must be brought in immediately for changing if wet or soiled

• Animals must not be allowed to lick or chew at their bandages - may need preventative collars

• Frequent and regular checks needed to ensure no strike through of discharge has occurred

Which way should you bandage? Proximal to distal or distal to proximal?

Distal to proximal (paw upward) - gives a better bandage and maintains better circulation

Should the paw be included in a limb bandage?

Yes - should be fully enclosed or just a small gap to allow checking of circulation

• if toes or foot are sticking out - leads to reduced circulation in exposed area, foot can quickly swell and become damaged

Why do you need to pad between the toes?

• To ensure they do not put pressure on one another within the bandage

  • Don’t over excessively pad to prevent stretching of toes apart

Where should padding be applied?

• Areas with minimal soft tissue coverage

• between toes

When changing bandages, what do you need to thoroughly check the patient for?

Any areas that may be developing rubs or sores - treat appropriately and pay extra attention when re bandaging to pad them properly

What do you need to check your bandage for once finished?

• No pressure points or loose areas (even pressure from bottom to top)

• Evenness

• Tightness

How should your bandage appear once finished?

• Padding visible around the edge

• Prevents conforming and cohesive layers tightening down around the edge and irritating the skin

What is a Roberts-Jones bandage

• Multiple layers of padding and conforming bandage

• used in major wounds or fractures when limb needs to be immobilised

• Extends the whole length of the limb including the elbow or stifle

• Can be used with out without a splint

How should the pinna be placed during an ear bandage?

over the dorsal aspect of the head with padding underneath

which direction do you bandage the ear?

• start just beyond the tip of the injured pinna

• roll bandage down the ear

• figure of eight pattern

what do we need to make sure not to do when placing an ear bandage?

• don’t restrict the other ear

• don’t cover the patient’s eyes

what should we check once we have placed the ear bandage?

check not too tight around the throat - should fit two fingers

• patient needs to be able to open their jaw properly to eat, etc.

what should you mark on the ear bandage once finished?

point to which ear is injured