Download PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY BANDAGING

PRIMARY, SECONDARY
AND TERTIARY BANDAGING
1. Primary Layer
- Applied directly in contact with the skin surface
- To cover/protect wound (prevent further contamination)
- To hold/administer medicated creams/gels
- Almost all Primary dressings are non-adherent.
i) Types of wounds
The choice of primary layer will be affected by the type of wound presented.
Incised wound - Often require stitches.
Lacerated Wound - Often contaminated wounds and healing is often slow.
Puncture Wound - Need to be kept open to heal from the bottom up. Not often bandaged, but washed regularly.
Abrasion - These wounds are often very painful as nerve endings are exposed.
ii) Types of Primary Dressings
Paraffin Gauze
Soft paraffin gauze which allows wound to drain. Melonin Non-adherent Telfa Non-adherent.
Generally restricted to use on clean and with limited exudate wounds. Some products are impregnated with topical medications. A
common wound gel is Solosite with the main ingredient being Calcium Alginate which promotes removal of dead tissue from the
wound site. A primary dressing that incorporates this is Algisite M.
Allevyn Non adherent - Soft, highly absorbent hydrocellular, foam dressing which absorbs and retains exudate. Useful for granulating
wounds. Helps to rehydrate necrotic tissue.
Comfeel a hydrocolloid. Adhesive mass absorbs liquid and forms a gel. Helps to encourage necrotic tissue to “slough”.
2. Secondary Layer
- To provide padding to cushion and support the wound
- Protect bony prominences.
i) Types of Secondary Dressings
Soffban
Cotton Wool
Foam
3. Tertiary Layer
- To protect the previously mentioned bandaging
- To hold complete dressing in place
- To look pretty (see below)
You are not always treating just the animal. Owners rely on you as the veterinary nurse to offer comfort and support to them as well
as their animal.
i) Types of Tertiary Dressings
Cohesive Bandage (Vetrap, Petflex)
Crepe
What else could you apply to stop patient interference?
Tapes
Bandaging Cautions
Bandages must be fitted correctly, to avoid causing permanent damage. They must be applied over the padding, with even pressure
throughout, and with no wrinkles in either the bandage or the padding.
Bandages must also be kept dry!