How to Keep a Dog’s Cast Dry (to Avoid Amputation)

Did you know dog leg amputation can result from something as simple as a wet dog leg bandage or cast? It’s 100% necessary to keep a dog’s cast dry. Whether it’s water or dog saliva, moisture can quickly result in an infected wound requiring dog leg amputation. This has happened to a number of PD pets.

PD Insurance wants to raise awareness about amputation resulting from a wet cast or bandage. Something as simple as a fractured bone that’s covered up and becomes wet can lead to infection resulting in amputation.

In this article, PD Insurance looks at how to keep a dog’s cast dry and explores what can happen if you don’t.

Why it’s so important to keep a dog’s cast dry?

While you might simply have taken your pet to the vet for a fractured bone, keeping the cast or bandage dry is super important or your dog stands to lose their leg.

Dogs routinely get injured and need to have a bandage or cast. This may seem straightforward enough since the injury will mend. But a little water could spell disaster in the form of dog leg amputation.

Limb injuries are the 8th top pet insurance claims for dogs. Imagine taking your pup in for a small fracture, then later discovering dog leg amputation is needed, simply because the cast got wet.

If moisture gets trapped in the bandage or cast, the flesh can become necrotic. This is when the living tissues in the affected area die, ultimately requiring amputation to prevent spread.

This is why it’s so important to be aware of the importance of keeping a cast clean and dry.

Dog leg amputation from wet cast

In the last half year, PD pups have had to have dog leg amputation after a cast got wet. These claims have resulted from the simple treatment of a small fracture that needed a cast.

In each case the situation escalated so rapidly to the point where the pup needed to have their leg amputated. This is easily avoidable yet sadly cannot be reversed. It’s why keeping a dog’s cast dry and knowing about the risks of it getting wet is so important.

Sadly, a wet dog leg bandage or cast can lead to an infected dog wound overnight. It can happen quickly. Once the flesh becomes necrotic, it can’t recover. Without amputation the risk of the infection spreading is too great. This means removing that part of the dog’s limb.

How do you take care of a dog with a cast?

If you’ve ever broken an arm or a leg, you’ll know the woes of not bathing that section when you bath or shower.

It’s a both easier and harder to keep your dog’s cast dry. That’s because a) you bath your dog yourself and b) if their leg bandage is wet, they won’t be able to say so. Nor will your dog be able to tell you if their leg starts to get infected putting it at risk of amputation.

That’s why it’s so important to take care of a dog with a cast by keeping the cast 100% dry.

How to keep a dog’s cast dry and avoid amputation

Unfortunately, one of the biggest snags in the control you have over keeping a dog’s bandage or cast dry is them licking it. Dogs as we know, make voluminous amounts of saliva which can get trapped in and under the cast.

There are several steps you can take to keep their cast dry:

Steps to prevent dog wound infection and amputation

• Use a dog cone. Your vet may recommend a dog cone to keep your dog from licking or biting the cast and damaging and/or wetting it.
• Avoid letting your dog near water. Don’t let your dog go outside if it’s raining, the sprinkler is on or you’re watering the garden. Avoiding dog leg amputation requires the cast to remain dry at all times!
• Keep it covered. A breathable cotton sock over the cast can help it stay clean. Be sure to change the sock often and make sure it’s dry!
• Check the cast for moisture. Carefully do a daily check, feeling the dog leg bandage or cast for moisture. Make sure there’s no swelling in the dressing, which indicates trapped moisture.
• Check your dog’s toes. Do a thorough and careful check of your dog’s toes twice daily making sure there’s no swelling. Signs indicating danger include increased temperature in the area or lack of sensation. Squeeze your dog’s toes is a way to check for sensation. They should react to your doing this – if they don’t look at you, pull away or react in some way that you’re aware of, contact your vet. Quick action could help avoid dog leg amputation.
• Check the cast for movement. Make sure your dog has its leg bandage or cast in the right position. You can’t keep a dog’s cast dry as easily once it’s shifted/slipped. If this happens, it won’t be providing proper support or protection for the fracture either.

Keep in mind that any movement in the cast could result in reduced blood flow which is a major risk in its own right. While you or I would be able to say “Hey, I’m getting pins and needles” our dog’s vocabulary may not include that turn of phrase.

Speaking of your dog’s vocab, read how to speak dog and learn what a dog wagging its tail means.

Dog leg amputation: when to see the vet

Your vet will likely want to check-up on the cast every week and a half or so. If you’re doing the checks listed above and you see any changes, speak to your vet immediately.

Signs to watch out for that indicate you should contact your vet include the following:

• Swelling
• Strange smell from the cast
• The cast moves/slips
• Your dog is chewing on the cast
• Any signs of moisture or wetness of the cast
• Swollen toes or leg above the cast

Vet visits can happen when you least expect them, and like doctor’s visits, vet bills can be expensive. This is one reason for having pet insurance for cats and dogs.

Award winning pet insurance for cats and dogs

Unexpected dog leg amputation is something your pup will hopefully never experience. But if that happens, having pet insurance could help you by giving you the freedom to focus on their recovery rather than the treatment costs.

PD Insurance for cats and dogs covers dental, accidents and illness, depending on the level of cover you choose. We’ll also give you a multi-pet discount for insuring two or more pets and you get one or more months FREE when you buy online. Click below to get a quote today.