My dog chewed off external fixator bandages. What should I do?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your question. External fixators are typically well tolerated and you should not have to do much with this other than rest Nala until the fracture heals. If you notice discharge around the pins, you can use a cotton swab that is moist with water or hydrogen peroxide and wipe around the base of the pin that contacts the skin to keep it clean. Otherwise, keep Nala rested and follow the veterinarian's instructions for when to return for recheck appointments. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your question. Judging from the picture you provided, the paws do not look that red and I see no visible wounds. I would say that it should be ok to leave the bandages off. If she is licking / chewing at the paws, I would recommend using the plastic cone around her head to prevent her from licking them and worsening the condition further. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

It is best to let your vet place the bandage back on because if it is done incorrectly or placed too tight it can cause further problems to the leg. You vet may always provide an e collar that can prevent him from licking thebsutures or the bandaged to help keep it on. If there is a discharge from the incision, it may need a different type of bandage or different antibiotics.

Keep the wound clean with solutions (twice daily) as suggested in the previous answer. Please post a picture of it so we can have a look at the severity of the cut and understand if needs to be stitched up or not. Best usually to keep it exposed rather than bandage it (healing usually is faster). If you have some, triple antibiotic ointments like Neosporin would work (do not allow her to lick it off). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

These wounds must be considered infected. A check up, appropriate disinfection and antibiotics (oral or in a topical formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.