Weekly Assignment:
1. Explain the purpose of each of the three layers of the soft padded bandage
2. Give a brief definition of each: Robert Jones Bandage, Spica splint, Ehmer sling, Velpeau sling, 90/90 flexion sling
3. List 5 complications of casts in small animals
4. Briefly explain what a lower limb support bandage is in a horse, and why it is important.
Weekly Discussion:
Describe a bandage case that is memorable to you. Discuss the reason for the bandage, type of bandage used, and the outcome of the case. Try and use a case that was a difficult bandage such as a tail bandage or something of the sort that may have required some ingenuity on yours or the vets part.
There haven't been many bandage cases that I can remember. We don't get, well, any, really, at the place I'm at now. My old vet used to do things with a bit more patience and ingenuity so, looking waaay back, I can remember a little chihuahua that presented with a broken jaw. That sweet little dog snuck a large piece of broccoli and got it stuck in the molars. The owner panicked and pulled at it, trying to pull it out, but, as it came forward, the small delicate jaw snapped. My DVM used wire to help fasten the bones together but had to come up with a small, muzzle-type brace to keep the dog from opening it mouth too wide until healed. My Dr took bandage material and, using a lot of tape, created this bandage muzzle that was gentle, small, but effective. That was when I learned how much fun learning about bandaging could be. I've seen my share of "happy tail" bandages using syringe casing, and your typical soft bandages and splints but that was an interesting feat to be a part of. I did get to go to a seminar once, on bandaging. There, I learned of the use of sugar in cases of large areas of skin needing regrowth. It was long ago but that stuck out in my mind.
That’s great about the tail bandages and we’ll talk about that tomorrow! Any pointers on tail bandages??
@psnowRVT depending on how quickly we can catch "happy tail", only a syringe casing and tape is needed. I find that a casing barley bigger than the tail is best. One inch porus tape for dogs weighing under 20# and two inch for larger dogs. Because the casing is hard, you can wrap the tape tightly, starting about halfway down the casing, and working your way up to the base. Be sure to loosen the tape when arriving at the tail itself to avoid cutting off circulation. Typically, wrapping about 3 inches of tail will keep it on nicely for up to a week before needing to be checked or changed. If the "happy tail" has already developed a wound, improvised casing placement is able to be used. I enjoy playing with bandages and finding new and weird ways of making it work!
One of the most memorable Bandages that I can remember was actually the aftermath of a duclaw and second digit amputation, due to a mass growing in between them. Henry the cat had a good size mass on his paw, Dr made the decision it would be easier to amputate them both due to the proximity and the size of the mass. I unfortunately did not work the day the surgery was done, but I was the nurse that helped with the first bandage removal. From the start I noticed the bandage had a strong odor, it smelled like infection and I could also tell the bandaging was wet(so I thought) . One of the hardest bandages to remove ever! the sutures did not seem to hold well and it was not healing properly. The granulation tissue was present but It seemed as if the bandage was stuck to the skin. After great effort I managed to remove it finally. Dr opted to culture the infected paw but the o Declined. All the owner could afford was to rebandage the paw and continue medication prescribed the day of the surgery. Dr opted to do a Wet to Dry Bandage and bandage change every 3rd day until we noticed improvement. Henry ended up being fine within the 2nd week with no major complications.
Paws that have had surgery can always be quite a pain to heal especially if there was neoplasia or something of the sort. Im curious as to what the “wet” portion was the doctors used with their wet to dry. Nacl? Chlorhex? Povidone?
Yikes! Could've been really bad. Glad it turned out well!