Bandage Care

– You must ensure a bandage is kept clean and dry at all times

– Ensure that your pet cannot damage, lick or interfere with the bandage in any way. A buster collar may be necessary to achieve this. If they continue to seem uncomfortable with the dressing or repeatedly attempt to get to it, then return to the surgery for the dressing to be checked.

– Always cover the dressing when outside of the home environment to keep it clean and dry. We can provide a bag for this purpose. Ensure this cover is removed as soon as you return from your walk, as leaving it on will cause the foot to sweat and become sore.

– Limit your pets exercise – they should have very short walks on the lead for toileting only.

COME BACK TO THE SURGERY IF:

– the dressing comes off in any way – even if it looks possible to re-apply it;

– the dressing looks to have slipped or has a ‘bunched’ appearance;

– the dressing becomes wet, even if the area is away from the wound;

– there is any sign of ‘strike through’ (defined as any bleeding or weeping becoming visible through the dressing);

– the limb begins to swell above the top of the dressing;

– any sores appear around the dressing edges, in particular the top of limb dressings;

– the bandage is significantly irritating the animal as previously mentioned and/or is causing the animal to no longer use the dressed limb;

– the dressing becomes smelly in any way.

All of these things can mean there is a problem with the dressing and a member of our veterinary team should see the animal, and if necessary re-dress the affected area.