From time to time we need to apply a bandage to the paw or entire limb of a cat or dog. Sometimes we need to bandage an ear, and on rare occasions, a tail. The decision to bandage an animal is not taken lightly, because we know they require a lot of follow-up care at home, and we’re not interested in taxing our patients’ owners. 🙂
If a bandage is in place, it is vital that it remain in place so it can do its job.
The NUMBER ONE reason for bandage failure is the bandage getting wet. If a bandage gets wet, it MUST be changed. If a wet bandage remains in place, ugly dermatitis and infection will set up. When an incision is beneath the wet bandage, such an infection can greatly compromise the healing of the incision. This is the point in many blog posts where I like to share photos as examples, but the photos I have of these types of infections would induce vomiting. 🙁
One of the biggest home mistakes we’ve seen with bandage management is applying a hair dryer to a wet bandage in an attempt to dry it. This will successfully dry the outside of the bandage, but moisture will wick toward the inside and will not thoroughly dry. Wet bandages must be changed.
We all agree that bandages are no fun and can be a big nuisance, but the best way to get rid of a bandage is to achieve healing under it. And the best way to achieve healing is to take care of the bandage while it’s in place.
If your pet’s bandage gets even damp with moisture, don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian and have the bandage examined.
