bandages, splints, casts, & wound care at the completion of this unit, students will be able to:...

Bandages, Splints, Casts, & Wound Care

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:A. Identify common materials used in bandaging

& splintsB. Identify types of splints and slings.C. Explain how bandages promote healing.D. Identify and describe the different types of

wounds. Explain how to treat them.E. Define the steps to healing.F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.G. Assess a wound correctly and apply a bandage

using proper techniques.

Bandaging Materials

Absorbent Pad– Prevents Infection– Reduces “stickage”– Example: Tefla

A. Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints

Bandaging Materials

Gauze– Holds the absorbent pad in place– Comes in different sizes• 2X2• 4X4• “brown gauze” rolls


Bandaging Materials

Cotton Roll– Used to pad splints or bandages


Bandaging Materials

Vet Wrap– Stretchy – Sticks to self– Secures the gauze and pad to the

wound.– Comes in 2 in. or 4 in.


Bandaging Materials

•Tapes– Used to secure bandages


Robert Jones Bandage• Used to temporarily set fractures in

the elbow or forearm before surgery.• Wrapped with a cotton roll.• Then wrapped with gauze.• Finally wrapped with vet wrap.

B. Identify types of splints and slings.

Modified Robert Jones Bandage

• Used to reduce post-operative swelling of limbs.

• Less bulky bandage.• Looser fitting bandage.


Chest/Abdominal Bandage

• Used after surgery to keep the animal from licking or biting the incision.1. Layer of Cotton2. Layer of Gauze3. Layer of Vet Wrap


Ehmer Sling• Holds the flexed forelimb against the

chest and prevents all movements of the joints.

• Used after shoulder surgery.


90-90 Flexion Sling• Used to prevent stifle-hock stiffness

and hyperextension after a leg fracture surgery.


Velpeau Sling• Holds the flexed forelimb against the

chest and prevents the movement of all joints.

• Used after shoulder surgeries.


Carpal Flexion Sling• Non-weight bearing sling.• Used to force the animal to carry the

limb.


Bandages promote healing by:

1. Controlling bleeding and aiding hemostasis

• Hemostasis: The series of chemical reactions needed to stop bleeding

C. Explains how bandages promote healing.


• Hemostasis has three steps:– Vascoconstriction: blood vessels

constrict (or “shrink”) to slow blood flow at the site of injury

– Platelet Plug Formation: the wound is “corked”, or covered with sticky platelets

– Formation of fibrin blood clot: a more sturdy solution is created.



2. Absorbing seepage; protects the wound from infection and drying.

3. Decreasing the possibility of self trauma and self-inflicted injury.



4. Decreasing swelling and edema-Edema: pooling of fluid under

the wound



5. Decreasing seroma and hematoma formation

-Seroma: An accumulation of lymphatic fluid under an incision.-Hematoma: a localized swelling filled with blood.


Wound Treatment Terms:• Lavage:– The washing out of an open wound surface to help

wound hydration and to remove deeper debris.– Made from saline solution, sterile water, Providone

iodine, or hydrogen peroxide.

• Debridement:– The removal of unhealthy tissue from a wound.– It can be done surgically, chemically, or

mechanically.

D. Identify and describe the different types of wounds. Explain how to treat them.

Abrasion• Description: Injuries destroying only the surface

layer of skin.• Treatment:

– Clean debris off– Clip the hair around it– Topical anitbiotics over the course of 7-10 days– Light bandage to help protect the wound and keep it

moist.


Laceration• Description: Has sharply incised edges with

minimal tissue trauma– Two Kinds:

• Superficial- just skin• Deep- tendons, mucsles

• Treatment:– Debridement– Lavage– Stitches


Puncture Wound• Description: Small cut with deep tissue

damage.• Treatment:– Remove anything that may be in the wound.– Debridement– Lavage– Stitches– Bandage


Degloving• Description: Varying amounts of muscle,

tendon, ligament, and bone torn from the limb.

• Treatment:– Debridement– Lavage– Bandaged


Burn• Description: Burns are classified by

degree of tissue injury.– First Degree Burn: Red and Painful. Heals within 3 days– Second Degree Burn: Forms blisters with fluid collection.– Third Degree Burn: Surface appears white or black and

leathery, firm, and depressed compared with surrounding skin.

• Treatment:– Debridement, this will have to be repeated.– Bandage to keep it moist.


Four Stages of Healing1. Inflammatory2. Debridement3. Repair4. Maturation

D. Explain the four steps to healing.

Inflammatory• Begins immediately after injury.

• Characterized by formation of blood clot.


Debridement• Occurs 6 hours after injury.

• Characterized by influx of white blood cells into wound.

• Remove necrotic tissue , bacteria, and foreign material from wound.


Repair• Begins 3 to 5 days after

• Characterized by the development of new tissue

• Scar tissue starts to form

• Wounds become a lot stronger


Maturation• Begins about 3 weeks after an injury

• Can take weeks to years to complete

• Wound never regains the strength of normal tissue


Factors Affecting Wound Healing

• Age• Nutrition• Smoking• Stress• Other infections or illness

F. . Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Age• Younger pets usually heal faster than older

pets.

F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Nutrition• A pet’s body needs a good supply of

vitamin C to make collagen.• Overweight pets will heal more slowly.


Smoking• If an owner smokes, the healing rate of a

pet will decrease.


Stress• Large amounts of stress can delay the

healing process– Examples: poor diet, poor care, improper

bedding


Other Infections or Illness

• Diabetes• Thyroid Disease• High Blood Pressure


Wounds that are slow to heal could be symptoms

of greater problems!


Applying a Bandage• Step 1 – Control the bleeding by applying

direct pressure to the wound.

– Use a sterile pad– Hold it in place (with hand or bandage)– Keep it in place until the bleeding stops

G. Assess a wound correctly and apply a bandage using proper techniques.

Applying a Bandage• Step 2 – Wound Preparation

• Clip the hair around the wound

• Cleanse the wound with cool water or sterile saline


Applying a Bandage• Step 3 – Apply Antiseptic

- Antiseptic: a substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms


Applying a Bandage• Step 4 – Apply the layers of the bandage– Absorbent Pad

• Apply an unused pad that is larger than the injury over the wound

– Gauze• Wrap completely around the wound with gauze• Cover at least 1/3 of the previous loop of gauze with the

overlying layer• Wrap at least 2-3 times, leaving enough space to fit two

fingers (no more, no less)– Vet Wrap

• Wrap the gauze with enough vet wrap to hold it in place.


Applying a Bandage• Step 5 – Daily Checks and Replacements– Replace bandages daily

– Visually check the wound for the rate of healing and for possible infection.


Applying a BandageSigns of improper bandage fit and/or problems• Swelling above or below the bandage• Redness or discoloration of skin near the bandage• Odor• Moisture• Excessive chewing or licking• Cool skin around the bandage


Bell Work 2/20:• Read pages 323-326 and answer questions 1-11 on page 326.

Bell Work 2/20:• Read pages 327-332 and answer questions 1-8 on page 332.

bandages, splints, casts, & wound care at the completion of this unit, students will be able to:...

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