How to Make a Pressure Bandage for a Dog

Injuries that cause significant bleeding have serious potential health consequences for your dog. In a situation where your pet has a bleeding wound, the most important thing to do is slow or stop the bleeding until you can get proper veterinary care for the injury. A pressure bandage will control the bleeding of a wound and limits blood loss, helping preserve the health and well-being of your dog.

  1. Clean the Wound

    • The purpose of a pressure bandage is to slow or stop the bleeding of a wound by applying pressure to the skin. Before you apply the bandage, assuming the wound is not bleeding profusely, wash the wound with water or a sterile solution to rinse away dirt, debris and any other possible contaminants. This will help reduce the chances of infection.

    Placing the Bandage

    • Once the wound is clean, pat it dry with a sterile gauze cloth and apply a sterile bandage to the wound. If you do not have sterile bandages available, you can use a a clean piece of fabric. The location and size of the wound will determine the size of bandage necessary. You want your bandage to cover the wound but not be so large that it does not apply adequate pressure on the wound. If you do not have a bandage that is the right size, you can cut one to make it fit properly. Remember, the larger the area the bandage covers, the more distributed the pressure will be.

    Securing the Bandage

    • Apply pressure to the bandage directly over the wound and secure the bandage in place with medical tape or a veterinary bandage/wrap, or by tying it. Apply tape and bandages as close to the edges of the wound as possible to help centralize pressure. If you can not figure out a way to secure the bandage in place, you can simply hold it there with your hand until the bleeding stops or you arrive at the veterinarian's office. Replace the bandage with a fresh one if it becomes saturated with blood.

    Circulation

    • It is important to pay attention to your pet's circulation when you are applying and using a pressure bandage. The bandage should be snug enough to slow bleeding but not so tight that it cuts off circulation. If you notice the area around the bandage swelling or changing colors, or if your pet appears to begin suffering from numbness or an inability to move the limb, you need to loosen and adjust the tightness of the bandage.