A tight bandage can cause swelling around the wound by constricting blood flow. We wiil help you understand how to reduce swelling from a tight bandage dog wound in this article.
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If your dog has a broken bone or a deep wound, the vet will probably bandage it up after applying medication. The doctor will also use an antibacterial cream before putting bandages to stop the spread of infections.
We will talk about how to bandage up your dog, why improper bandaging can be dangerous, how it can cause swelling, and a few ways to reduce swelling if this happens. Keep reading for more information.
Bandage Care For Dog Wounds
If the vet leaves the wound open, your dog can lick or scratch the wound. This will only end up making it worse. The bandage protects the wound from dirt and dust, as well as your dog’s licking and chewing.
Once your dog comes home, there are a lot of precautions you need to maintain about dog bandages. You will need to regularly change the bandage to avoid spread of an infection.
You will have to clean the wound as well. If you end up wrapping the bandage too tightly, it will create excess pressure on the wound and obstruct the blood flow below the bandage. This can cause swelling at either end of the bandage, numbness, discoloration, and tingling on the wounded area.
The swelling can be so bad that you need to take your dog to a veterinary doctor. So, it’s advisable to use a bandage so that it can hold the dressings against his body but loose enough that it should not cut blood circulation.
How Can I Know If I Have Wrapped The Bandage Too Tight?
If the blood flow is cut, the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles on the specific site don’t get blood rich in oxygen, and if not treated immediately, they can cause permanent damage to your dog’s limbs.
You need to slide your finger below the bandage every day. If you find swelling above or below the bandage, it indicates that you have wrapped the bandage too tight on your dog.
Why Are There So Many Layers On The Bandage Of Dog?
The small bandage we usually use to protect our wounds does not work on your furry friend. Your dog’s hair coat prevents the adhesive bandage from sticking on its skin. These bandages are also too easy for your furry friend to pull off.
Therefore, you should use protective bandages that will cover the wound completely and make it difficult for him to take it out. These protective bandages have several layers.
First Layer
The first layer is known as the dressing layer. If the bandage’s purpose is to protect a surgical incision, then it consists of materials that will not stick to your dog’s wound. But if the bandage aims to protect an infected wound, then the dressing layer will not only stick to the wound but also protect the wound from any infection.
Second Layer
The next layer of bandage aims to keep the dressing layer in the proper position. It even provides some padding to protect the wound area fully. It can be rolled gauze material or cotton, but the thickness varies depending on the severity of the wound.
Third Layer
The third layer is the toughest layer, whose aim is to protect the inside layers and prevent moisture from wicking in the wounded area.
Last Layer
The last layer is the surgical tape, which adheres to your dog’s fur and makes it difficult for him to remove.
How To Reduce Swelling From Tight Bandage?
A tight bandage may obstruct the blood flow to the particular area and result in necrosis, a condition in which the tissue on a specific site dies because of a lack of blood flow.
It can also result in swelling above or below the bandage. Sometimes the swollen area of your dog goes away naturally after two to three days.
But if it does not go, take your dog to the veterinary doctor. He will evaluate the wound and wrap the bandage lose on the wound for proper blood circulation.I am discussing below a few ways to reduce swelling from a tight bandage in your dog.
#1. Epsom Salt Solution
You can soak the feet of your dog in Epsom salt solution. Take warm water in a tub and add some Epsom salts into it. Then you can soak the feet of your furry friend for 10 minutes. It will help in reducing swelling. Try to do it three times a day. If you observe that the skin color improves, then continue doing it for two to three days.
#2. A Good Massage
A gentle massage improves the blood circulation on the affected area and reduces swelling. You can apply Vaseline also to the swelling area.
It will moisten the affected area, but there are chances that your dog will ingest Vaseline. Although Vaseline is not toxic, ingesting too much can cause drooling, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
#3. Take Your Dog For Walk
You can take your dog for a brisk walk. This will exercise the area of the wound, which improves blood circulation and helps in reducing swelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. What happens when a dog bandage is too tight?
It can cause swelling and in some cases tissue and even limb damage.
If you wrap the bandage too tight, it will obstruct blood circulation on that site and may result in swelling. So, you should monitor your dog’s paws numerous times a day. If you notice any discoloration or swelling, take him to a veterinary doctor.
#2. How do I reduce my dog’s swollen paws?
Epsom salt can help reduce swelling
You can soak the paws of your dog in Epsom salt solution. Take a tub of hot water and add some Epsom salts to it. Allow it to dissolve, and then soak your dog’s paws in the solution. But remember, the water should not be too hot. Otherwise, it may burn the skin of your dog.
#3. How long should a bandage stay on a dog?
Depending on the severity of the wound, it might be anywhere between 1 day to 2 weeks.
It depends on the severity of the wound. If your dog has used a temporary bandage, you may remove it within one day.
But for long-term thick bandages, your dog needs to at least two weeks. You need to change the bandage within two to three days. Better take your dog to a veterinary doctor. The doctor will check the wound and do the bandage properly.
#4. Where can I take my dog’s bandage off?
You should prefer to take the dog to the vet to take off the bandages.
It may be difficult for you to remove a bandage if your dog’s feet are swollen. You can take your dog to the veterinary doctor to remove his bandage.
A Few Final Words
A bandage can protect your dog’s wound from infection. But don’t apply too tight because it can cause swelling. The best way to monitor is to check your dog’s affected site regularly. If you find any discoloration or swelling, then better take him to a veterinary doctor.
Thank you for reading this article, we hope the information here was useful. You might also like to read about: How To Keep A Dog From Chewing Off Bandage? And How To Keep A Dog From Scratching A Neck Wound?