Leg Fracture - Robert Jones Bandage Technique

1. The Robert Jones Bandage
Technique begins with wrapping
layers of cottonwool
(absorbent cotton) around
the fractured limb.

The Robert Jones Bandage Technique described below gives good immobilization and support and does not interfere with circulation:

• Evenly wrap layers of cottonwool (absorbent cotton) around the fractured limb well above and below as well as over the apparent site of the fracture.
• Compress the layers of cottonwool by very firmly wrapping several rolls of gauze bandage over them.
• Finally, wrap a number of layers of adhesive bandage around the gauze bandage and nearby hair.

2. Compress the cottonwool
(absorbent cotton) by firmly
wrapping several layers of
gauze bandage over them.

Pinch the cat’s toes to check that circulation has not been interfered with. If the cat reacts by pulling the foot away or crying, the pain sensation indicates good circulation.

3.  Finally, wrap layers of adhesive
bandage around the gauze
bandage and nearby hair.

Hypothermia (low body temperature)

Do you know?

• Cats are inefficient at getting rid of body heat, especially in hot weather, but efficient at retaining body heat in cold weather.

Hypothermia is most often observed in newborn kittens because they are unable to regulate their body temperature. A full-grown healthy cat subjected to cold conditions normally does not suffer from hypothermia. However, keep in mind that the breed of cat and length of exposure to a certain temperature will have a bearing on whether or not the cat will suffer from hypothermia.

Signs

• Initially the kitten is restless, constantly crying and cold to the touch.
• Later the kitten becomes weak, stops crying and is uncoordinated. Sucking is weak or stops entirely.
• The queen rejects the kitten.
• The kitten's temperature is 35°C (95°F) or less.

Action

• Slow, gentle heating, for example, with a hot water bottle, can lead to full recovery within 24 hours.

Caution
Take care not to warm the kitten rapidly as this can lead to shock and death.

Wounds - LACERATIONS

Signs

• The wound edges are often irregular, jagged and gaping. Sometimes whole sections of the skin and underlying tissue are torn away.
• Lacerations are usually not painful and hemorrhage is variable.
• Caused by barbed wire, sharp edge of a tin, and so on.

Action

• Thoroughly clean the wound by hosing it or by applying 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• Remove any hair, dead tissue or foreign bodies from the wound.
• Apply antibiotic powder.
• Cover the wound with a gauze pad then a gauze bandage, both held firmly in place by an adhesive bandage.
• See your veterinarian as the laceration may need to be stitched.
• If unable to be stitched, leave the bandage in place for two days.
• When the bandage is removed, hose the wound to clean away any discharge, debris or dead tissue and dress the wound as before.
• Continue the bandaging until fleshy tissue has filled in the cavity to skin level. Then leave the bandage off, allowing the air and sunshine to dry the surface of the wound.
• If the cat licks the wound excessively, apply an Elizabethan collar.

Restrict exercise until the skin has completely covered the wound.