We use bandages for several reasons: to protect wounds from the environment, protect the environment from wounds, and discourage a pet from licking or irritating a wound. Bandages may be applied as support for strains or sprains or to prevent motion. Proper application is important – an improperly applied or too-tight bandage can cause decreased blood flow and potential loss of the limb.

Vetwrap is available in many colors, including one to match a green tennis ball. Photo by VIN

Cleaning the Wound

The process of bandaging begins with careful cleaning of the wound. All dried blood, dirt, and debris should be washed away using mild soap and lots of water. Hair should be clipped away so that it cannot lie in the wound. If possible, the area should be patted dry.  

Cleaning the Wound

Illustration by Issac Mayo

Materials Needed

Photo courtesy of the VIN emergency medicine folder staff.

In an ideal setting, a bandage should have a contact layer, an absorbent layer, and an outer layer.

This may include (from the innermost layer to the outer layer):

• antibiotic ointment
• Telfa Non-Adherent Pad
• cotton wrap
• gauze wrap
• Vetrap

The Contact Layer

After cleaning the wound, apply antibiotic ointment to the contact layer and use it first. Ideally, this layer should:

• Be sterile and inert. 
• Stay in close contact with, but not stick to, the wound.    
• Be very absorbent.   
• Be free of particles or fibers that might be shed into the wound.   
• Conform to all shapes. 
• Allow drainage to pass to the next layer without becoming wet.  
• Minimize pain.

A Telfa Non-Adherent Pad, available at most pharmacies, comes closest to meeting these requirements.

It is desirable to apply an antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, to the pad but this is not absolutely necessary. Frequent bandage changes are more important. After cleaning the wound, place a new contact layer over the wound.

The Absorbent Layer

Photo courtesy of the VIN emergency medicine folder staff.

After the contact layer is in place, apply the second (absorbent) layer to hold the contact layer snugly, but not tightly, over the wound. This layer is usually a cotton or Dacron material that comes in various widths. Generally, 1-inch rolls are used for small limbs and the tail; 2-inch rolls are for medium-sized legs; and the 3- and 4-inch rolls are for large legs and the body. It is important to use the proper size. Materials that are too narrow often cause a tourniquet effect, especially if the wound becomes swollen.

If materials are too wide, they are difficult to apply smoothly. Any wrinkles or ridges may cause the bandage to become uncomfortable for your pet. Uneven pressure may cause necrosis (tissue death) of the underlying tissues.

Begin with just enough of an absorbent layer to hold the contact layer in place. If the wound is on a leg or the tail, wrap it from the toes or the tip of the tail towards the body. If you begin at the top of the leg or the tail, the bandage is more likely to restrict blood flow and cause swelling, which may cause tissue damage. Apply several layers of absorbent material, which will soak up the fluid from the wound and increase the patient's comfort by cushioning the wound.

Gauze wrap can be applied next to hold the cotton wrap in place and to add extra support.  This step can be skipped for small wounds or for temporary bandages.

The Outer Layer

Photo courtesy of the VIN emergency medicine folder staff.

Finally, apply the outer (third) layer, usually made up of porous adhesive tape or elastic tape (i.e., Elastikon, Vetrap). Wrapped from the toes up toward the body, this layer should also be smooth and snug. Do not stretch elastic tapes to their limits as this will interfere with circulation and result in bandage failure. It helps to unwrap the Vetrap or Elastikon first and then rewind it to remove the tension from the wrap before placing.

The tape should be in contact with the skin (hair) at the bandage margins, anchoring the bandage so it will not slip.

Photo courtesy of the VIN emergency medicine folder staff.

The outer layer of a bandage should be applied smoothly and snugly, but not tight enough to cut off blood circulation.

Bandage Changes

Bandages should be checked frequently for any signs of swelling, skin discoloration or coolness, odor, or saturation of the bandage material. The bandage should be changed whenever any of the above are noticed or any time it appears to be uncomfortable for the pet. If a bandage becomes wet, soiled or slips out of position, it should be replaced.

Be very careful when bandaging at home. Wounds that are draining heavily may require bandage changes every one or two hours.

Bandages over wounds with little or no drainage should be changed every 24-72 hours, depending on your veterinarian's advice and evaluation. Some wounds may require up to 6 weeks of bandage changes to fully heal.