1. FAMILIARIZATION WITH ANTISEPTIC
DRESSING TECHNIQUES AND
BANDAGING
SUBMITTED TO :
DR. N. R. PADALIYA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF T.V.C.C.
SUBMITTED BY :
GAJENDRA SINGH
3rd year
B.V.Sc. & A.H.
CoVSc & AH Junagadh

2. Wound :
Wounds are cuts, tears, burns, breaks, or other damage to living tissue.
Classification of Wounds :
• Surgical (incisional)
• Surgical wound dehiscence
• Laceration
• Puncture
• Abrasion/shear
• Degloving/ishaemic/skin slough (Avulsion)
• Burns – chemical, cold, heat, electrical
• Ballilstic / Gunshot
• Crush injury
• Chronic fistulae/sinuses
• As per
Aetiolog

3. Classification of Wounds :
• Clean wound - Surgical wound
• Contaminated - little bacterial multiplication (0-6 Hrs)
• Ealry infection - Bacterial beginning to divide(6-12 Hrs)
• Infected -Bacterial invasion of tissues(> 12 Hrs)
• Degree
of
contami
nation

4. Basic Principles of Bandaging
Basic bandaging formula :
Initial layer – dressing
Primary layer –padding
(comfort/support/absorption)
Secondary layer –conforming
(strength/contouring/security)
Tertiary layer –Protection
(conforming/strength)

5. Dressing :
‘Dressing’ refers to the primary layer in contact with the wound. These are
applied before any other materials, directly to the wound. Dressings are
invariably sterile and need careful handling. Dressings are designed to aid
in wound healing.
•be nontoxic
•protect the wound
•keep the environment moist
•be minimally painful to the patient
•be cost effective
Purpose of wound dressing :
• To promote wound healing by
primary intention
• To prevent infection
• To assess the healing process
• To absorb drainage
• To prevent contamination from
bodily dishcharge
The ideal dressing should:

6. Types of Dressings:
Dressing type Description Uses
Dry Plain gauze swabs Debridement of wounds
Impregnated Petroleum gel
Antibiotic
Superficial open wound
Semi occlusive A layer of permeable
non stick material with
central absorbent core
Surgical wound
Continued.

7. Dressing type Description Uses
Absorbent Usually thicker and
with a colored side that
faces the wound
Use where there is a
large amount of
,
Helps to remove fluid
from wound area
Gels Gel based , that need to
used in conjuction with
other dressings
Where maintenance of
moisture is essential ,
Large deficit beneath
skin level
Others Silver impregnated
Iodine impregnated
Proven to help to
prevent infection and
encourage speed of
healing.

8. Cotton wool
Natural or mand
made absorbent
material in rolls
Can be used as
sole padding
material in most
bandages
Can be difficult to
apply compared
with others
Bandaging materials :
A.1
A. Padding material

9. Padding bandage
Natural absorbent material
supplied in rolls of various
sizes
Preferable to cotton wool
in most cases due to ease
of application ;particularly
good for limbs
A.2

10. A.3
Synthetic
padding
Supplied in
various sizes
,thiner and
lighter
Good where less
bulk in needed
(e.g. under casts,
smaller patients)
Can cause
sweating and is
not so absorbent

11. Foam Variety of thickness
Useful when external
fixators are bandaged
or under drains
A.4

12. Gauze
Cotton wool
sandwiched between
gauze layers supplied
in rolls
Very useful for
abdomens and
thorax bandages
Holes may be cut to
accommodate legs
and prepuce
A.5

13. B. Conforming materials
Loose open weave
Has no elastic component but loose
weave aids conforming property
(e.g. crinx)
Can be used to hold padding to any
area of the body
B.1

14. B.2
Conforming
Has an elastic
component
Can be placed too
tightly –care needs
to be taken during
application ,
especially if not a lot
of padding
underneath:
blood/fluid flow can
be compromised,
resulting in swelling
or death of tissue

15. B.3 Tubular
Bandage
supplied in a
tube
construction
Under casts
and on
abdomens and
thorax
Holes can be
cut for legs
/prepuce etc.

16. B.4
Crepe
Washable cotton fibre
material on a role
Not commonly used
but may be useful to
hold small dressing in
place on thorax etc.

17. C. Adhesive and cohesive Protective materials
Adhesive
Thick cotton based
material with an
adhesive side.
Sppliedn in rolls of
various widths
Good for foot
bandages (due to
thickness).
Avoid applying
direct to skin & hair
C.1

18. Cohesive
Latex-containing
material that ‘sticks’
to itself but not to
skin
Most commonly
used protective
materials
Can be used in any
bandaging , but not
to stretch too much
during application
C.2

19. Bandages:
Reasons to bandage:
 Support for
-Fractures or dislocations
-Sprains or Strains
-Healing wounds
 Protection against
- Self-mutilation
-infection
-Environment
-further injury
 Pressure to :
-Arrest haemorrhage
- Prevent or control swelling
 Immobilization to :
-Restrict joint movement
-provide comfort and pain relief

20. Rules for Bandaging :
1. Avoid departing from the basic bandaging formula
whenever possible
2. Never leave more than the tips of the toes out on the limb
bandages.
3. Check and change bandages regularly
4. Always attempt to include a padding layer to provide
comfort.
5. Avoid sticking adhesive material to the skin to prevent
bandage slippage – poorly applied previous layer will tend
to slip below the adhesive bandage, causing drag on the
skin which may result in skin sores or more serious
complications.
6. Never exchange firmness for tightness in order to achieve
the aim of the bandage.

21. Care of bandages and dressings :
a) The bandage should be checked to
ensure that it is not uncomfortable
or too tight
b) Any evidence of odour, oedema,
discharge, skin irritation, or wetness
due to wound itself should be
investigated –usually by changing
the bandages.
c) It is important that the dressing
does not become soiled or wet from
environment factor.(e.g. urine,
water, mud)
d) The dressing should be covered
with a protective covering when the
patient is taken outside.
e) Elizabeth collar are very useful to
prevents bandages from interfering
it.

22. Common Bandaging Techniques for Pet Animals
Procedure for Limb and foot bandage :
1. Ensure the patient is suitably restrained.
2. Place cotton wool padding between the patient’s toes, pads and dew claws to aborb sweat and prevent irritation.
3. Apply a layer of cotton wool or soft dressing material around foot. If using pre-rolled padding bandage apply it
longitudinally to the cranial and caudal surfaces of the limb.

23. 4. Wind it around the foot in a figure of eight pattern and continue up the limb.
5. Apply the conforming bandage, similarly, longitudinally to the cranial and caudal surface of the limb.
6. Than wind conforming bandage in eight pattern with applying even tension.
7. To insure movement at joints , more padding should be applied .
8. Apply the protective layer in the same manner.

24. Procedure for bandaging a single ear :
1. Place a pad of cotton wool on the top of the patient’s head.
2. Apply appropriate dressings to any wounds on the pinna and then fold the ear back on to the pad.
3. Place a further pad of cotton wool over the ear.
4. Apply padding (cotton wool) around the head or, if using a pre rolled padding bandage apply this in a figure of
eight pattern around opposite ear

25. 5. Apply conforming bandage as step 4 ensuring the padding stays on the conforming
layer to prevent constriction or rubbing.
6. Cover the bandage with adhesive tape or cohesive bandage.

26. Procedure for bandaging a tail :
1. Place a dressing on the
wound if required
2. Apply a light synthetic
padding bandage,
longitudinally to the cranial
and then the caudal surface
of the tail tip.
3. Change the orientation of the
bandage and continue it
around the tail tip in eight
pattern .
4. Repeat the same with
conforming bandage and a
final protective layer .

27. Specialized Bandaging Techniques :
1. Ehmer sling –
To support the hindlimb following reduction of hip luxation (surgical or non surgical)
Procedure:
I. Apply padding material to the metatarsus and stifle.
II. Flex the leg and rotate the foot inwards
III. Apply cohesive/ adhesive bandage to the metatarsus , bringing it to medial to the stifle joint..
IV. Continue the bandage over the thigh and back to the metatarsus in figure of eight, the
passes medial to the tarsal joint.. And repeat until full support.

28. 2. Velpeau sling:
to support the shoulder joint following luxation or surgery. (4-5 days)
Procedure –
I. Apply a layer of padding material to the foot and carpus and around torso
II. Secure padding with conforming or cohesive bandage, ensuring that bandage emerges in cranial
direction in order to provide lift to the limb.
III. Hold the leg in flexion and take bandage over the shoulder and chest , returning to complete a full
circle around the torso.
IV. Repeat until full support and apply cohesive bandage to cover other layers.

29. 3. Robert jones Bandage:
to provide support and immobilization to fractured limbs (2 weeks)
Procedure –
I. Apply zinc oxide stirrups to the dorsal and ventral surface
II. Wrap Cotton wool lightly around leg and foot

30. III. Apply conforming bandage firmly over cotton wool
IV. The toes should be visible so we can check oedema or abnormal changes.
V. Cover bandage with cohesive bandage for protection and extra support.

31. 4. Spica bandage :
to immobilize the
forelimb, in particular the elbow
This specialized bandage
is used to immobilize the elbow
joint or associated bones. It
involves taking the bandaging
material up and over the cranial
thorax, before placing a figure of
eight bandage around the apposite
leg.

32. Bandaging and Wound Care in Horses
The general principles of wound care and
bandage managament in horses are similar to
the other species.
Open wounds requires more treatment and
care than closed wounds.
Wound care is required to prevent anomalies
during healing process.
Bandaging materials used in horses include
most of those discussed earlier; just the size
varies.
Bandages in horses may be light and simple ;
for short term use following nerve block or
for superficial wounds.
Larger bandages are usually for more serious,
deep , exudative or those requiring added
support.

33. Procedure for applying a larger/multi-layered bandage to a horse :
1. Secure the sterile dressing in place with the initial padding layer{soft cotton
bandage}
2. Apply the initial padding layer to the limb, from distal to proximal

34. 3. Apply a second padding layer (cotton wool) to the limb, again from distal to proximal
4. Apply conforming bandage in a similar fashion
 Addition layers [cotton wool then conforming bandage] can be repeated at this stage if required.
5. Apply the outer/tertiary layer .

35. Pressage Bandage
The pressage bandage is a method of applying even pressure to wounds in horses in order to reduce oedema,
exudation and proud flesh. A pressage bandage is a reusable elasticated stocking with a zip fastening.
Pressages are available in a range of sizes for the hock, knee and fetlock region, and provide even pressure
over the dressing and padding layer(s). In hock and knee areas it is useful to apply a stable bandage below the
pressage bandage and an adhesive bandage above, to hold it in place and prevent slipping.
Pressage bandages are particularly useful for more superficial wounds and following surgical procedure where
the wound is minimal and exudate in not heavy.

36. Bandaging exotic pets :
A certain amout of
creativity is often required to
ensure the aim of the bandage
achieved . All the dressing
materials mentioned above are
appropriate for use in small
patients,
Although they are often too
large and must therefore cut to
size. Adhesive tape to secure
dressing and bandages may be
appropriate in small animals.

37. Thank you