Bandages, Splints, Casts, & Wound Care At the completion of this unit, students will be able to: A.Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints B.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 A.Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints

Bandaging Materials Cotton Roll –Used to pad splints or bandages A.Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints

Bandaging Materials Vet Wrap –Stretchy –Sticks to self –Secures the gauze and pad to the wound. –Comes in 2 in. or 4 in. A.Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints

Bandaging Materials Tapes –Used to secure bandages A.Identify common materials used in bandaging & splints

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. B. Identify types of splints and slings.

Chest/Abdominal Bandage Used after surgery to keep the animal from licking or biting the incision. 1.Layer of Cotton 2.Layer of Gauze 3.Layer of Vet Wrap B. Identify types of splints and slings.

Ehmer Sling Holds the flexed forelimb against the chest and prevents all movements of the joints. Used after shoulder surgery. B. Identify types of splints and slings.

90-90 Flexion Sling Used to prevent stifle-hock stiffness and hyperextension after a leg fracture surgery. B. Identify types of splints and slings.

Velpeau Sling Holds the flexed forelimb against the chest and prevents the movement of all joints. Used after shoulder surgeries. B. Identify types of splints and slings.

Carpal Flexion Sling Non-weight bearing sling. Used to force the animal to carry the limb. B. Identify types of splints and slings.

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.

Bandages promote healing by: 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. C. Explains how bandages promote healing.

Bandages promote healing by: 2. Absorbing seepage; protects the wound from infection and drying. 3. Decreasing the possibility of self trauma and self-inflicted injury. C. Explains how bandages promote healing.

Bandages promote healing by: 4. Decreasing swelling and edema -Edema: pooling of fluid under the wound C. Explains how bandages promote healing.

Bandages promote healing by: 5. Decreasing seroma and hematoma formation -Seroma: An accumulation of lymphatic fluid under an incision. -Hematoma: a localized swelling filled with blood. C. Explains how bandages promote healing.

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

Laceration Description: Has sharply incised edges with minimal tissue trauma –Two Kinds: Superficial- just skin Deep- tendons, mucsles Treatment: –Debridement –Lavage –Stitches D. Identify and describe the different types of wounds. Explain how to treat them.

Puncture Wound Description: Small cut with deep tissue damage. Treatment: –Remove anything that may be in the wound. –Debridement –Lavage –Stitches –Bandage D. Identify and describe the different types of wounds. Explain how to treat them.

Degloving Description: Varying amounts of muscle, tendon, ligament, and bone torn from the limb. Treatment: –Debridement –Lavage –Bandaged D. Identify and describe the different types of wounds. Explain how to treat them.

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

Four Stages of Healing 1.Inflammatory 2.Debridement 3.Repair 4.Maturation D. Explain the four steps to healing.

Inflammatory Begins immediately after injury. Characterized by formation of blood clot. D. Explain the four steps to healing.

Debridement Occurs 6 hours after injury. Characterized by influx of white blood cells into wound. Remove necrotic tissue, bacteria, and foreign material from wound. D. Explain the four steps to healing.

Repair Begins 3 to 5 days after Characterized by the development of new tissue Scar tissue starts to form Wounds become a lot stronger D. Explain the four steps to healing.

Maturation Begins about 3 weeks after an injury Can take weeks to years to complete Wound never regains the strength of normal tissue D. Explain the four steps to healing.

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. F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Smoking If an owner smokes, the healing rate of a pet will decrease. F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Stress Large amounts of stress can delay the healing process –Examples: poor diet, poor care, improper bedding F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Other Infections or Illness Diabetes Thyroid Disease High Blood Pressure F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

Wounds that are slow to heal could be symptoms of greater problems! F. Describe the factors affecting wound healing.

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

Applying a Bandage Step 3 – Apply Antiseptic - Antiseptic: a substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms G. Assess a wound correctly and apply a bandage using proper techniques.

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

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

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

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

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