First aid bandages for cats and dogs can take several forms, including liquid, elastic, fabric or tape. Let’s look at these different types of bandages and their best uses so you’ll be prepared to help your pet when he needs a combination of urgent and tender, loving care.
Be Prepared for First Aid Situations
The most important part of any first aid situation involving your pet is for you to remain calm. Another important factor in providing first aid care is having adequate supplies in an easy-to-locate place in your home. Take time to assemble or purchase a pet first aid kit and put it in a central location in your home before your pet has an accident.
One of the most important uses of bandages in pet first aid is to control bleeding. The method you use to control bleeding will depend on the size and depth of the wound, but three common first aid processes are used. They are:
- direct pressure for small wounds
- pressure point for deeper wounds
- tourniquets in extreme situations in which limb loss is likely
First aid bandages can also hold sterile dressings in place or support an injured body part, such as ears, paws and tails.
Liquid Bandages Are the New Product on the Block
Liquid bandages are the newest type of bandage on the market. They are easy to apply and provide a waterproof barrier over minor cuts and scrapes that can last up to 24 hours. Liquid bandages are applied either with a dropper or a spray, and they are ready to provide protection as soon as they dry.
Elastic Bandages Provide Support, Hold Dressings in Place
The traditional elastic bandage used to wrap up sprained ankles or stiff knees in people has a place in veterinary medicine, too. It can effectively hold splints or ice packs in place on strained or sprained joints while your pet recuperates from an injury.
Other elasticized bandages are useful in veterinary medicine. A product called Vetrap is made from latex rubber, and it can hold dressings in place or support injured limbs without sticking to either fur or skin. It is porous, which allows for drainage and ventilation during wound healing, and it does not harbor bacterial growth. Vetrap can also provide protection for sensitive skin that could be damaged by excessive licking or rubbing against carpet or upholstery.
Fabric Bandages: The Reliable Standard of Care
Fabric bandages, such as gauze or cotton pads, have been a standby in pet and human first aid kits for many years. These bandages are particularly effective at stopping bleeding because their cotton composition provides both comfort and maximum absorption of fluid while still allowing the natural healing process to occur.
Tape Bandages Help Solve Sticky Situations
Adhesive-backed bandages are the most common type of bandage found in pet and human first aid kits. They are useful for covering and protecting small- to medium-sized wounds, or they can be used to hold the edges of deeper cuts together, as in the case of butterfly bandages, until your pet can be seen and treated by a veterinarian.