How to Choose the Right Veterinary Wound Dressings
How to Choose the Right Veterinary Wound Dressings
Proper dressing and bandaging of wounds on animals help to control infection and speed up the healing process. Bandages should be applied with even pressure and coverage and should fit snuggly to the animal’s body, firm enough to stay in place while the animal moves around, but not so tight as to cause discomfort or limit essential blood supply to the area.
The Objectives of Dressing a Wound:
1. To limit haemorrhaging
2. To immobilise the affected area
3. To stop further trauma or contamination of the area
4. To prevent desiccation of the wound
5. To absorb exudate
6. To control infection
7. To assist mechanical debridement of the area
The Three Layers of a Wound Dressing and Bandage
The Primary Layer
The primary layer will be in direct contact with the wound. This is the wound dressing. The purpose of this part of the dressing is to provide a layer through which tissue and fluid can pass and be absorbed. The non-woven design of a gauze swab should prevent fibres from sticking to the wound, keeping it clean and aiding the changing of the dressing.
There are two types of primary layer dressing: non-adherent and adherent.
Non-adherent dressings are usually made of a fine mesh or gauze non-stick material that prevents desiccation of the area and causes minimal trauma when removed. Steroswab Sterile Gauze Swabs are ideal for when a non-adherent dressing is needed.
Adherent dressings are designed to allow debris and tissue to become incorporated into the dressing which is then removed when the dressing is removed from the body. Steroplast offers low-adhesive wound dressings that provide little to no discomfort when removing or changing a dressing.
There are three classifications of adherent bandages: ‘dry to dry’, ‘wet to dry’, and ‘wet to wet’. Specification of which is used is based on how the primary layer is composed and the intended recovery of the wound.
Dry to dry bandages are composed of dry gauze applied directly to the wound. The aim of this is to effect significant tissue debridement, as much of the wound tissue will fuse to the dressing and come away when removed. Wet to dry bandages consist of a saline-soaked primary layer applied to the wound resulting in less tissue desiccation and less trauma when changing. Wet to wet bandages are used when a wound must stay moist and tissue removal should be minimal when changing the dressing.
The Secondary Layer
The purpose of the secondary layer is to absorb tissues and fluids that pass out of the wound through the primary layer. The secondary layer will also provide padding and support to the wound, protecting it from being knocked or scraped. The secondary layer usually consists of rolled cotton.
The Tertiary Layer
The tertiary layer consists of a bandage that is designed to hold the primary and secondary layers in place and to keep them protected from the environment while the animal heals. Depending on the type of wound, its location, the animal and the recovery programme, a different type of tertiary bandage will be used.
Robust and rigid tape is used to immobilise joints while they heal.
A lightweight foam wrap, used under a bandage to provide additional padding, help to produce even pressure across a bandage, prevent friction and increase comfort. We also stock an under-cast wrap that acts as a cushioning base layer.
A non-adhesive, non-slip bandage that can be torn lengthways and widthways. An extremely adaptable bandage that is used on many dressings. We also offer a Riplite version of cohesive bandage that is easier to tear on difficult patients or difficult areas.
Lightweight, breathable tape used to hold dressings and bandages in place. Our microporous tape is hypoallergenic.
An adhesive bandage that is quick and easy to apply, and which stays firmly in place. Our EAB can be torn by hand and is designed with a central line to assist with accurate wrapping. Choose from ‘normal’ adhesive on the inside or reverse adhesive which many vets find much easier to use when bandaging animals.
A stretchy bandage that easily conforms to body contours, good for keeping dressings in place on limbs and joints.
Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Simplify Workplace First Aid
Interactive Online Guide & Downloadable Brochure
Choose the format that works for you: check out our Workplace First Aid Interactive Online Guide or download our Workplace First Aid Brochure as an easy-to-save PDF. Both include a self-assessment, product details, pricing, and comprehensive training and support.
Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information:
