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Factors that cause bandage complications in equines and how they can be resolved

02 July 2021
14 mins read
Volume 5 · Issue 4

Abstract

Bandaging equine limbs in practice is carried out by nearly all veterinary team members, although in many practices it is the nurse's responsibility for placement, care and maintenance of the bandage during the patient's time at the hospital. It is a vital part of the veterinary nurse's role to understand the different complications related to inappropriate bandaging as well as noticing signs of discomfort and how to rectify these problems. This will help to educate the future veterinary nursing generation. Techniques and methods of bandaging from small animal and human medicine need to be utilised in equines to help move equine bandaging forward. A standardised method or protocol for bandaging limbs and the abdomen needs to be promoted, and the veterinary team and general public educated to help prevent sores and further complications.

Veterinary medical bandages are used throughout equine practice for many reasons including distal limb wounds, protection of incisions and prevention of oedema and haematoma formation (Canada et al, 2016). The application of bandages, as well as checking and maintaining patency of previously applied bandages, forms a large part of the registered equine veterinary nurse's (REVN) workload. Other types of distal limb support include casts and splints, which are used to provide external support for fractures and for immobilising wounds that lie over joints (Guthrie, 1995). REVNs must look at the equid holistically and move towards a patient-focused approach to nursing. By doing so, problems with bandaging can be avoided while the equid is hospitalised and under the veterinary team's care (Pullen and Gray, 2006). Problems can occur post-discharge, while the equid is being cared for at home (Figure 1), so the veterinary nurse plays an important role in helping to create a home care plan in conjunction with both the veterinary surgeon and owner (Calder, 2014).

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