Small Animal Bandaging, Casting, and Splinting Techniques

Steven Swaim, DVM, is a professor emeritus at Auburn University. Walter Renberg, DVM, DACVS, is an associate professor at Kansas State University Kathy Shike, RVT, is a veterinary technician supervisor at Kansas State University.

Mission Statement xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xvii

Chapter 1 – Basics of Bandaging, Casting, and Splinting 3

Bandaging 3

Purposes and functions of a bandage 3

Components of a bandage 4

Primary-contact layer 4

Highly absorptive dressings 4

Gauze dressings 4

Hypertonic saline dressings 5

Calcium alginate dressings 5

Copolymer starch dressings 5

Moisture-retentive dressings 5

Polyurethane foam dressings 6

Polyurethane film dressings 6

Hydrogel dressings 7

Hydrocolloid dressings 7

Nonadherent semiocclusive dressings 7

Antimicrobial dressings 8

Extracellular matrix bioscaffold dressings 8

Secondary-intermediate layer 9

Tertiary-outer layer 9

Special considerations in bandaging, casting, and splinting 10

Frequency of changes 10

Security 10

Pressure relief 11

Joint immobilization 11

Maceration and excoriation 12

Need for sedation or anesthesia during bandage change 12

Casts and splints 13

General information 13

Purposes and functions of casts and splints 13

Materials 13

Splint rods 13

Commercial splints 13

Plastic splinting material 13

Stockinette 13

Casting tapes 14

Chapter 2 – Head and Ear Bandages 15

Emergency ear bandage 15

Indications 15

Technique 15

Aftercare 16

Advantages and complications 16

Basic head and ear bandage 16

Indications 16

Technique 16

Aftercare 22

Advantages and complications 23

Chapter 3 – Thoracic, Abdominal, and Pelvic Bandages 25

Thoracic, abdominal bandages 25

Circumferential thoracic, abdominal bandage 25

Indications 25

Technique 26

Aftercare 29

Advantages and complications 29

Windowed thoracic, abdominal bandage 29

Indications 29

Technique 29

Aftercare 29

Advantages and complications 29

Thoracic, abdominal tie-over bandage 29

Indications 29

Technique 30

Aftercare 31

Advantages and complications 31

Pelvic bandages 32

Circumferential pelvic bandage 32

Indications 32

Technique 33

Aftercare 35

Advantages and complications 35

Windowed pelvic bandage 36

Indications 36

Technique 36

Aftercare 38

Advantages and complications 38

Pelvic tie-over bandage 39

Indications 39

Technique 39

Aftercare 39

Advantages and complications 39

Pelvic extension splints 39

Indications 39

Technique 40

Aftercare 41

Advantages and complications 41

Chapter 4 – Extremity Bandages, Casts, and Splints 43

Tail bandages 43

Indications 43

Technique 44

Aftercare 47

Advantages and complications 47

Forelimb bandages, casts, and splints 47

Basic soft padded limb bandage 47

Indications 48

Technique 48

Aftercare 54

Bandage removal 54

Bandage replacement 55

Advantages and complications 55

Interdigital and interpad areas 55

Primary bandage layer 56

Secondary bandage layer 56

Tertiary bandage layer 56

Basic paw and distal limb bandage 56

Indications 56

Technique 56

Interdigital/interpad areas 56

Primary bandage layer, “donut” pads, and “stirrups” 58

Secondary bandage layer 62

Tertiary bandage layer 64

Aftercare 67

Bandage removal 67

Bandage replacement 67

Advantages and complications 68

Interdigital/interpad area 68

Primary bandage layer 68

Secondary bandage layer 68

Tertiary bandage layer 69

Paw pad pressure relief 69

Indications 69

Technique—moderate wounds on small to medium-sized dogs 69

Metacarpal/metatarsal pad 69

Digital pads 70

Aftercare—moderate wounds on small to medium-sized dogs 71

Advantages and complications—moderate wounds on small to medium-sized dogs 71

Techniques—major reconstructive or salvage paw surgery, especially on large dogs 71

”Clamshell” splints 71

One-half “clamshell” splint 72

Aftercare—major reconstructive or salvage paw surgery, especially on large dogs 73

Advantages and complications—major reconstructive or salvage paw surgery, especially on large dogs 73

Dorsal paw pressure relief 73

Indications 73

Technique 74

Aftercare 75

Advantages and complications 75

Carpal sling 75

Indications 75

Technique 76

Aftercare 78

Advantages and complications 78

Basic forelimb splint 78

Indications 78

Technique 78

Aftercare 83

Advantages and complications 83

Basic forelimb cast 83

Spica bandage and lateral splint 83

Indications 83

Technique 84

Aftercare 87

Advantages and complications 87

Aluminum rod loop elbow splint 88

Indications 88

Technique 88

Aftercare 89

Advantages and complications 89

Velpeau sling 89

Indications 89

Technique 89

Aftercare 92

Advantages and complications 92

Pelvic limb bandages, casts, and splints 92

Basic soft padded limb bandage 92

Basic pelvic limb splint 93

Basic pelvic limb cast 93

Indications 93

Technique 93

Aftercare 99

Advantages and complications 99

Ehmer sling 100

Indications 100

Technique 100

Aftercare 104

Advantages and complications 104

90/90 sling 104

Indications 104

Technique 105

Aftercare 108

Advantages and complications 108

Tie-over bandage 108

Indications 108

Technique 108

Aftercare 108

Advantages and complications 109

Chapter 5 – Restraint 111

Elizabethan collar 111

Plastic wrap-around collar 113

Towel collar 113

Muzzles 114

Side braces 114

Topical chemical deterrents 118

Electronic devices 119

Suggested Reading 121

Index 123