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Veterinary Surgical Specialists
Post-Operative Care:
Care of Bandages and Splints
Following surgery,
your pet will need enforced inactivity for a period of several weeks. If you
have other animals in the house, or children that play with or come in
contact with your injured pet, please keep them separated unless you can
fully supervise all interaction.
Activity must be
limited to very short leash walks for the purpose of your pet going to the
bathroom only. Your pet should be kept in an enclosed area such as a small yard,
dog run, or a small room in the house.
Your pet's splint or bandage will require a little extra
care and attention. Do not allow your pet to chew on the bandage/splint. Use the
plastic Elizabethan collar that your pet was sent home with. Keep the
splint/bandage clean and dry. If it is damp outside or the
surface that your pet must walk upon is damp, put a plastic bag around
the bandage to keep out all moisture.
Do not leave this plastic bag on the bandage all the time
or moisture will develop in the bandage and this will result in a skin infection
developing under the bandage. If you need to add tape to worn areas, make sure
to use breathable (porous) tape otherwise moisture problems will develop.
If your pets toes have been left exposed at the bottom of the bandage, be sure to check them daily for swelling.
If they become cool and/or puffy, it is possible that the bandage
is impairing the circulation of the limb and will need to be changed.
Please call our office immediately if this occurs. The
bandage/splint may loosen at the top of the leg. As long as it is
still supporting the limb and you can still check your pet's toes
(and they are okay) it should be all right. If your pet develops
some chafing of the skin at the top of the splint, you may add some
padding, corn starch, or baby powder to the affected area. If the
bandage/splint is damp or foul smelling, have it changed
immediately.
With your help at home, your pet
will get maximum protection and wear from the bandage/splint.
If you have any questions regarding your pet's bandage/splint,
please do not hesitant to contact our office immediately. We are
available to answer questions 24 hours daily either directly or
through our voice mail system. Our staff is always happy to help
you. Thank you for letting us give your pet the extra special
type of care it deserves.
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