Bandaging ? a necessary first aid skill | Love My Pets GPS Pet ...

August 30, 2012 ? Jerry Welsh

All homes with pets must have an animal first aid kit. With a first aid kit, a dog owner can deal with the possible injuries the dog can sustain. Bandages are one of the essential contents of a pet?s first aid kit. Dogs often find themselves in dangerous position that would cause minor and serious injuries thus a pet owner has to be competent in administering first aid to the pet.

A bandage has many useful uses for the injured dog. Injured dogs would be very hard to restrain thus it is common for the pet to sustain another trauma. One of the functions of bandage application is immobilize injuries that needs to be restricted. Bandage keeps the wound from getting dirty and because of the pressure exerted on the wound, swelling is controlled as well. This first aid measure will stop the bleeding of wounds and stabilize fractures before the vet can work on the dog?s injuries. An injured pet can gain these first aid benefits only if the bandage is correctly applied.

Applying bandage is a first aid basic skill a dog owner has to learn. The pet can be restrained while the bandage is being applied but the concern would be on how to keep the bandage on. The adhesive bandage we humans use would be ineffective for our furry friends. Unknowing of the benefits of this first aid measure, the dog will try everything to remove the bandage. Dogs would always try to remove the bandages thus the owner has to make sure that the securely applied.

Bandage must not be applied on a dirty wound. It is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound before the application of bandage. Cover the thoroughly dried wound with a double strip of gauze. This strip of gauze must be again covered with several layers of bandage and secured with adhesive tape. To prevent the bandage from slipping, the adhesive tape must be connected both to the bandage and to the dog?s fur.

Bandage is as well used to control bleeding. To apply pressure, the bandage is wrapped several times around the injured body part while pressing on the wound. The first aid giver though must ensure that the bandage is not wrapped too tightly lest it cuts off the circulation. The bandage has to be checked regularly as risk of infection is high especially if the injured animal is not prevented from doing its usual activities. Bad odor and swelling of the wound are signs of infection. While the dog?s injury is healing, it would be a good idea to keep the pet indoors to prevent the bandage from getting wet and dirty.

Learn more about bandaging at Sarah?s Dogs.

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