Bandaging Your Dog or Cat

By Dr. Andrew | February 26, 2009

Dogs and Cats do seem to get their share of injuries and illness. Wounds are especially common.

Lick granulomas, areas of the skin that your pet has chosen to lick, are also common.

Bandaging can be helpful, but it MUST be done correctly. Recently I saw a dog with a homemade bandage put on incorrectly. The bandage was too tight, and his foot had swollen to 3 times its normal size.

So if your pet is ever in need of a bandage, learn how to place it properly.

Here are some tips:

Pet Leg Bandage

The most common area to bandage is the leg.

1. Clean the wound properly.

2. Apply 2 strips of white “hospital” tape to the inside and outside of the leg.

3. Apply the non stick Telfa pad to the wound.

4. Wrap the leg with gauze, beginning at the toes, but leave the toes exposed. Overlap the gauze as you wrap up the leg. Make the gauze wrap firm to keep the Pad in place, extend up to the next joint. If your dog has a wound on his paw, I would wrap above the wrist.

5. Cover the gauze with Vet Wrap or Tape. Once again make it firm, but not too firm. Keep the toes exposed to check for swelling.

Head

The other areas that may need to be bandaged include the head, as in the case of an injured ear that won’t stop bleeding.

This is best accomplished by folding the earf laps on top of the head, then wrapping gauze and tape around the head covering the ears.

Another option is to use pantyhose - I find it remains in place much better.

Keep the bandage in front of the eyes, and ensure that you can stick one finger underneath the bandage at the neck.

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Bandages are effective, BUT you must apply them correctly.

To learn how to heal your pet at home CORRECTLY get my book now at www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com.

Heal Your Pets At Home!

Best Wishes,

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM