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Bandaging A Dog Paw


dwynwen
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My boy has had multiple bandage changes on a hind foot over the last couple weeks ... by three different vets and myself.

Ironically the most expensive dressing change (yesterday by a $pecialist) has lasted less than 24 hours. It's just coming off like a loose sock.

The others have stayed on pretty well until changed (2-3 days max). He does not chew/pull/lick or otherwise interfere with the bandage.

I've not been able to find very much online about paw bandaging techniques - I've pretty much copied the vets' method. I'm doing ok but there's room for improvement.

Does anyone have any links to good instructions (with pics or video) for bandaging?

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the specialist didn't use vetwrap.

The others (and I) have used non stick dressing on wound, then soft bandage, then vetwrap then a elastic adhesive bandage up the leg onto the hair beyond the non stick part of the dressing. Makes for a fat foot but it tends to stay put.

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Maybe a sock over the top as well?

I thought those socks with the anti skid pads maybe ...

we're trialing this for when he has to go out for toilet breaks etc. The neighbour says it looks funky .. I'm still deciding if that's a good thing.

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Edited by dwynwen
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Make sure there is lots of cotton wool/softban padding underneath any bandage. Dont just put elastoplast or vetwrap directly onto the skin. The leg can swell under the bandage and cut off the circulation to the leg.

There should be 3 layers of padding before any vetwrap is used.

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Make sure there is lots of cotton wool/softban padding underneath any bandage.

Soffban is great stuff! I hadn't heard of it until this week.

Some of the online pet supply stores have it -

Soffban Synthetic orthopaedic padding

7.5cm x 2.7m

much easier to apply than cotton wool.

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Sounds like he needs stirrups - has he had any so far? Tape strips applied directly to the paws to hold the bandage up?

I've never heard of that stuff, SnT. Is that something like double sided sticky tape or something????

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It's actually nothing special just thin strips of elastoplast you apply half the length to the paw then you apply the first lot of bandaging, bring the tape upwards on itself and it holds the rest of the bandaging materials in place. :thumbsup:

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Edited by Staff'n'Toller
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It's actually nothing special just thin strips of elastoplast you apply half the length to the paw then you apply the first lot of bandaging, bring the tape upwards on itself and it holds the rest of the bandaging materials in place. :)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ........ no, actually :) ...... I'm still :thumbsup:. :( : :) .

So ..... sticky side down on the dog's leg/fur ???

ETA: Nope - hold it!! Just seen your edit. Going to look at piccies now :). Was hoping you'd be able to supply some. :(

Cheers!! I can see what you mean now :).

Edited by Erny
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You also must put a few rounds of elastoplast (tensoplast) probably 5cm or 7.5cm width around the top of the bandage to hold it, there's just no way it will stay on otherwise. Not the most comfortable thing for the dog but your vet should have adhesive remover liquid to get it off later.

If they don't or can't get it you can get adhesive remover wipes prepackaged at the chemist warehouse. I have it in my first aid kit for getting chewy out of SWF's or off dogs paws. :thumbsup:

Erny: It took me a good half hour to find those pics! :(

Edited by Staff'n'Toller
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Sounds like he needs stirrups - has he had any so far? Tape strips applied directly to the paws to hold the bandage up?

Funnily enough - the one bandage that came off had this - I think the tape used was too narrow though - he has a double coat doing a bit of a shed so not enough grip I suspect - your pics are great.

I'd not seen it done that way before this week.

You also must put a few rounds of elastoplast (tensoplast) probably 5cm or 7.5cm width around the top of the bandage to hold it, there's just no way it will stay on otherwise. Not the most comfortable thing for the dog but your vet should have adhesive remover liquid to get it off later.

tenoplast is my new best friend.

I've taken off the mega bandage and just put on a very light one today as he's lounging around the house - the wound is now just a raw patch between his toes where the tumour was removed. Just keeping it clean while hoping for a bit better ventilation to help it heal. (he's still on ABs, back to the vet tomorrow)

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Soffban is the best - I find one layer is enough even with vetwrap. One great vet taught me this wrap years ago :D

1. Soffban around whole area you want to wrap - ensure you tear of little bits to slide in between the dogs toes (just enough to fit snugly make sure it doesn't change where the toe would naturally sit) - this absorbs any sweat and helps to stop the dogs being annoyed by hot feet - which tends to make them chew at them.

2. Vetwrap - first a strip down the back of leg over the toes and up the front of the leg (need someone to hold it in place or strips of tape to hold it in place) - second wrap the whole area with vetwrap - I find figure 8 / cross over holds in place better and moves on the leg much less - work from bottom of leg to top.

3. Solid sticky bangadge on the top of vetwrap / leg to hold in place (I make sure it has the soft edges as it is more comfortable for the dog).

4. Ask the vet for old saline solution drip bags - they make the best foot covers - just cut slits in and thread a soft bandage through to tie it on - easy to get on and off over bandage.

This bandage lasts most dogs for about a week.

Best of luck with your kid.

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