How To Keep Casts and Bandages Dry In Wet, Rainy Or Snowy Conditions

If your pet has sustained an injury that requires bandages or a cast until the affected area heals, then you will need to do everything in your power to keep that area completely dry until the bandages are removed.

This is usually easier said than done.

Of course baths are out of the question during this time. But what if it also starts to rain or snow?

The answer: You must figure out a way for your dog to go outside without getting the cast or bandages wet.

Here are some viable options...

(For the record, the following information applies to human casts and bandages, as well as those used on pets' injured body parts.)

Ways To Keep A Cast (Or Bandages) Dry:

Your safest course of action is to follow this 3-step procedure:

1. Wrap a washcloth or towel (at least paper towels) around the top of the cast.
2. Then put a thick, heavy-duty plastic bag (like a Hefty trash bag) over the cast/bandage.
3. Wrap another towel over the plastic bag, and tape securely with duct tape to keep everything in place.

A similar idea is to place a disposable plastic bag (the kind you get at grocery stores) over the cast/bandage and secure it onto the limb with a loose rubberband, or an extra-large twist-tie (the kind you find on broccoli & other fruits and vegetables in the supermarket), or Scotch/masking tape.

Just be sure to remove the rubberband or twist-tie immediately after returning indoors... you don't want to cut off the circulation! Placing the rubberband, etc. on top of the cast or bandage itself is your safest option -- as opposed to securing it in place directly around your pet's limb.

In a light rain, you may be able to place a standard sock over the bandage or cast for the brief time that your dog will be outdoors.

You could also wrap the bandage/cast in some self-sticking Glad Wrap before your dog goes outdoors in the rain or snow.

A dog umbrella. Or, you could simply hold an umbrella over your dog (while on a leash). You'll just have to watch closely to make sure your pet doesn't step in a puddle or heap of snow and get the bandages wet that way.

They even make

According to Judy Adcock, RN-C, NCI:

If a fiberglass cast gets wet, it MUST be dried. Fiberglass is heat conductive, so you must use a VERY cool hair dryer or a fan, to prevent burns. Hold the hair dryer away from the cast and move it back and forth over the wet area. Do this for only 5 minutes at a time. Do not try to blow the air up and down the ends of the cast; this will not get the cast dry.
If a plaster cast gets wet, it must be replaced. Once wet, it is no longer structurally sound.

Be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast, so you'll be able to prepare in advance!

Amazon.com Widgets

Dogs

Search