Thorough and well-illustrated, this reference book covers essentially every option a veterinarian has in their toolbox for bandaging, casting, and splinting. Each bandaging technique comes with a step-by-step description of the procedure replete with excellent photographs, indications, important aspects to consider for aftercare, advantages, and possible complications.
The authors open the book, as expected, with a discussion of the basic components and anatomy of bandages, casts and splints, and important special considerations such as pressure relief, security from the patient and sedation/anesthesia for bandage changes. The discussion of the bandage components is quite thorough, providing the reader with plenty of categorical bandaging material options, only falling a little short by not providing us with specific examples or product brand names (e.g., hydrogel dressings versus hydrocolloid dressings versus copolymer starch dressings).
Chapter 2 focuses on head and ear bandages and provides an exceptional step-by-step best practices procedure for creating a head bandage complete with the usual photographs and helpful notes. Head and neck bandages have always been somewhat of a challenge in practice and the authors cover this topic well with plenty of excellent suggestions to make this a success.
Chapter 3 discusses body bandages and introduces us to the highly effective, but largely underutilized concepts of windowed bandages, which allow the practitioner to avoid having to replace a large body bandage regularly, and the tie-over bandage, one of my personal favorites for challenging wound locations.
Chapter 4 comprises the largest portion of this book and gives us a comprehensive look at all the various options for extremities. Tail bandages are covered first and the authors suggest the most brilliant concept of using stirrups and shingling to improve longevity of a tail bandage, something anyone who has struggled with keeping a tail bandage on a patient would appreciate. The authors continue with basic forelimb and paw bandages, splints, casts and slings, then hind-limb options. Useful concepts include padding between toes, protecting prominences with donut pads, and using splints, casts, and slings (carpal, Ehmer, Velpeau and 90/90).
Finally, Chapter 5 covers restraint techniques to prevent patients from damaging their bandages, wounds, etc. Interesting tidbits include making your own E-collar with plastic bowls and creating a towel collar to prevent self-trauma.
This book is an excellent reference manual for just about any small animal practice and for veterinarians at any stage in their career. It covers all of the important basics, some more advanced, less commonly used techniques, and contains great gems throughout with plenty of “Aha!” moments. On the negative side, there is a substantial amount of repetition and redundancy (a lot of “see chapter X...”) throughout the book, but it does not detract from its main goal. The authors have provided us with an invaluable quick, yet thorough reference for bandages, splints, and casts.