Q: How should I apply a bandage to my cat?
Answer: Fortunately, there are few occasions on which it will ever be necessary to bandage
a cat. As a general rule bandaging by an owner is most likely to be a first aid procedure
used to stop severe haemorrhage, seal penetrating chest wound or to provide support, and
limit movement, in the case of fracture limb or tail.

Most of the familiar rolled bandages employed by doctors and vets are made from rigid
open-weave cotton, which is cut to the require length and discarded after being used once.
However, for those unused to bandaging, a crepe bandage is much easier to apply and has a
batter chance of staying in place. Crepe bandages are made from a stretch cotton which is
much less likely to work loose. The are fastened with a safety pin and, because of their
cost, are usually are not cut and are re-used after washing and drying. Those of 2 inches’
(5 cm) width are most suitable for use on the cat.

Unless the cat is unconscious, it will need to be restrained on a table by a helper
holding its scruff, whilst you apply the bandage the job is simpler if the cat lies on its
side with that limb uppermost. And unless the bandage is being applied solely to prevent
the cat interfering with a wound, a pad of lint of cotton wool ½ inch (1 cm) thick should
first be placed on the surface of the body.

Unroll only a few inches of bandage before you start; have the rest tightly rolled up.
Starting a few inches to one side of the area to be covered, gradually wind the bandage
round and round the affected part of the body, unrolling it as you go. In the case of limb
or the tail, being to bandage furthest away from the rest of the body and gradually work
towards it. The second turn of the bandage should completely overlap the first; after that
each turn should overlap two-thirds of the previous one. If the bandage has to go around
the chest or abdomen it will need to be pushed under the body on each turn.

Generally a moderate degree of tension should be retained in the bandage to prevent it
becoming slack, though if a pressure bandage is being apply to stop haemorrhage this may
need to be slightly tighter in order to be effective. Take care though not to have the
bandage too tight or it might cat as a tourniquet and stop the circulation of blood; around
the nick, it might also interfere with the cat’s breathing.

It helps to secure the bandage more firmly if, after every two or three turns, the
bandage, whilst it is still under tension, is twisted, so that the inside surface now
becomes the outside and vice versa; this is called spiral bandage with reverses. Whether
you bandage in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction is immaterial and is largely a
matter of conveniences, depending on whether you are right or left-handed.

After covering the affected area, and going a few inches beyond it, the bandage can be
cut and pinned in place. But often to preserve the entire bandage intact, it is preferable
to work back over the first set of bandaging until the bandage runs out, and then to pint
it securely with the safety pin provided. Take care not to accidentally pint the skin as
well.

Check the end of bandage limb, or tail, from time to time for any sign of swelling which
would indicate that the bandage is too tight. Then it must be removed immediately and
re-applied with less tension. If it works loose, or is interfered with, it should also be
removed straight away and re-applied a little more tightly. But bandaging will usually be
required only in an emergency; if you are to change dressing on a regular basis a
veterinary surgeons will tell you how often to do this.