How to tell if a bandage is cutting off circulation on a dog (symptoms)
Circulation problems from a tight bandage range from mild to severe. Some of the effects depend on the nature of the wound that required the bandage, the dog’s age and health status, and especially how long the tight bandage has been in place.
Common symptoms we see when a dog’s leg or foot bandage is cutting off their circulation:
You will probably need to remove the bandage to assess the condition of the foot if it covers the paw. If the toes are exposed just peeking out from the bandage, you might be able to see swelling, redness, etc.
I always advise my clients that, when in doubt, removing a bandage early is better than leaving it on too long. You might have to pay for a bandage change, but it’s better than your dog losing their foot!
How do you reduce swelling from a tight bandage on a dog’s paw?
As stated above, in most cases, I advise my clients to remove their dog’s bandage completely if they think it is causing the foot to swell. Just removing the bottom of the bandage may not relieve the problem.
After removing the bandage in cases of dogs with mildly swollen toes, simply having them resume normal activity will clear the edema from the foot. Even in mild cases, if there is no improvement after a couple of hours, you need to seek veterinary care.
Depending on why your dog has a bandage in the first place, you may need to take them to an emergency clinic to have the bandage removed and replaced. Dogs with broken bones or major wounds would fall into this category.
The other consideration is that you must keep your dog from chewing on their wound or paw injury. It’s really common for a dog to lick and gnaw their foot after removing a tight bandage. They can cause a lot more damage than the bandage. Use an Elizabethan collar or go to an emergency vet clinic if you need help.
How do I treat my dogs swollen paw?
Soaking the paw in an Epsom salt solution is often of benefit, regardless of the cause. Ten minutes in comfortably hot water (in a tub or basin) with Epsom salts dissolved within is typically an excellent short-term solution for swelling.
Bandaging a Paw
You can tell if a bandage is too tight by looking at the lower part of the limb that is wrapped. If it is swelling below the bandage then take the wrap off immediately. … If they start pointing in opposite directions that means the foot is swelling and the bandage needs to come off.
If bandages are too tightly wrapped, they can cause excessive pressure and cut off blood circulation. A simple way to monitor this is to check your pet’s toes several times a day.
Sliding a finger under the bandage routinely is a rough way to assess how tight the bandage is. Swelling above or below the bandage is a good indicator that it is too tight (for example, swollen toes on a bandaged limb). Signs of discomfort or chewing at the site can also indicate a bandage that is too tight.