Clean Run - July 2017 - 46

The Conscious Dog

Bandaging

when your dog is conscious and responsive, it may be necessary to provide
first aid for lacerations, bites, or other
injuries. it is important to do this safely
for all involved. Your dog may be fearful or anxious when injured. To prevent
injury to the first aid provider, place
a muzzle on the dog or use the rolled
gauze around the dog's muzzle to create your own. Do not use a muzzle on a
dog having trouble breathing. remove
the muzzle if it appears the dog is going
to vomit. remember to always contact a
veterinarian if you feel you need to administer emergency care to your dog.

Bandages protect wounds from continued contamination, and prevent the dog
from licking or self-traumatizing. Bandages can also provide support for strains,
sprains, and breaks when applied properly.

Wrap cotton gauze lightly around the dog's
mouth and nose. Enough pressure should
be used to keep the gauze secure.

When placing a bandage over a wound,
start with a sterile nonstick pad. (The area
should be flushed of debris or dirt.)

Cover the nonstick pad with sterile gauze
and wrap around the leg.

Cover the gauze with vet wrap or another
stretchy material to keep the pad and
gauze in place.

A light bandage is placed on the forelimb
to protect the wound from contamination
until veterinary care is received.

1. Clean the wound: rinse the wound with copious amounts of sterile saline if possible; otherwise, clean water will be sufficient in the short term.
2. Contact layer: a nonstick, absorbent pad should be applied first (Telfa-pad).
3. absorbent layer: This layer keeps the nonstick layer in place. use cast padding
or rolled cotton. apply in even layers (layers should overlap by half ) free of wrinkles. Begin at the toes if the wound is on a limb and work your way up the limb
toward the body. apply with an even pressure to avoid a tourniquet effect or
pressure sore. apply several layers of absorbent material.

Wrap the gauze over the head and secure
by tying.

4. gauze cling layer: Following the absorbent layer apply a layer of gauze wrap to
help secure the contact and absorbent layer.
5. Outer layer: apply a layer of vet wrap, 3M Coban, or white tape wrap from toes to
body. Make sure you do not pull the vet wrap/3M Coban to the limit of its stretch, as
this may result in tourniquet like effect and cause swelling due to poor circulation.
Seek veterinary care immediately for your dog. a veterinarian will remove the bandage and assess the wound. Your veterinarian may recommend radiographs, antibiotics, or additional measures based on the location and severity of the wound.
Insect Bites and Allergic Reactions
insect bites and allergic reactions frequently result in swelling, redness, and itching.
if you can find the stinger, pull it out. This can be done with a pair of tweezers or the
edge of credit card or flat plastic object. always grasp the stinger itself, as squeezing
the venom sac will release additional venom into your dog.

Final placement of gauze muzzle.

apply a cold compress to the area. Do not apply a cold compress for more than 20
minutes at a time. The cold compress should never be applied directly to the skin,
but rather wrapped in a thin towel.
Clean Run | July 17

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - July 2017