Bandaging a Dogs Foot

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Bandaging a Dogs Foot

• Janet Lowery, DVM
• Mid-Peninsula Animal Hospital
• Menlo Park CA
• [phone]

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• The most common injury for dogs following an
  earthquake is a cut foot
• Veterinary facilities will be overwhelmed
• Owners who can apply a proper bandage can protect
  the foot from infection

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Restrain the Dog

• Two people minimum
• Control the head and legs from behind
• No more or less force than is necessary
• Soothing voices
• Dog on side
• wounded leg up.
• Muzzle if needed.

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Clean Debris From the Cut

• Sterile eye irrigating solution is a perfect
  wound cleaner
• Carefully pick out objects and trim fur near
  wound
• Flush the wound liberally to remove debris
• Dont let the tip of the bottle touch anything
  keep it clean!!!

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Active Bleeding?

• Once the wound is clean
• inspect for any active bleeding
• If bleeding profusely
• apply constant pressure
• obtain medical assistance ASAP
• Use several layers of clean gauze
• place over the wound
• apply enough pressure to stop bleeding
• Monitor periodically for clotting by easing
  pressure, re-apply pressure as needed

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Apply Antimicrobial Solution

• Dilute chlorhexadine 110
• 1 part cleansing solution
• 9 parts water
• Avoid
• eyes
• ears
• mucus membranes
• Flush wound
• liberally
• with dilute solution
• Pat dry with clean gauze

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Apply sterile gauze

• Apply antibiotic ointment to wound (Optional)
• Discontinue if redness occurs
• Open packet carefully to avoid contamination
• Place Telfa pad directly onto cleaned wound

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Make stirrups w/ 1 tape

• Apply a strip to each side of the leg
• Be sure fur is dry
• left right
• extend past foot 6-8
• Place wooden tongue depressor between the two
  tape layers
• this will be re-opened
• The stirrups are taped back over bandage later

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Apply Rolled Cotton Padding

• Begin just above the tips of the toes
• Leave tips exposed
• Small window to monitor swelling / foul odor
• Unroll the cotton up the leg
• Each new layer overlapping 1/2 of the one before
• Go past the joint above the wound (wrist)

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Anchor Padding w/ Stretch Gauze

• Begin at toes unroll, moving upwards
• Overlap 1/2 of the row before
• Use steady, gentle
• even pressure

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separate the stirrups - twist apply back over
gauze
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Cover bandage with protective stretch wrap- not
too tight!
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Apply 1 tape to secure top

• Use gentle pressure
• Dont restrict circulation!
• Extend the tape off the roll prior to laying it
  loosely around the leg
• Include 1 - 2 of fur
• to keep bandage from slipping

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Cover walking surface (only) w/ waterproof or
duct tape.

• Bandage must be kept dry
• Toes must be able to breathe
• Lay each strip directly over the previous one to
  build up a sole
• Use plastic bag to go out at night or when wet

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What can go wrong?

• Too Loose
• Bandage slips off
• Wound not protected
• Too tight
• Circulation cut off
• Toes begin to swell
• Abnormal skin color
• Tissue damage
• Pain

• Bandage gets wet
• Skin infection
• Wound infection
• Sepsis
• Pain

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Bandage Maintenance

• Keep bandage dry
• Be sure it is comfortable
• Check toe opening frequently for signs of
  moisture/ infection
• Be sure all layers are applied evenly, without
  restricting circulation

• Restrict dogs activity
• Dogs sweat only at the feet
• Keep indoors
• Keep dog from chewing or licking
• Use Elizabethan collar
• Check healing and change dressing daily