This week, I learnt about bandaging animals. This involved different bandage types and what to do in different situations such as impalement.

Firstly, I learnt about different bleeds. There are 3 types; Arterial, venous and capillary. A bandage can be used to limit or stop bleeding in a first aid situation or emergency case. This is most likely needed with an arterial bleed. Almost any non-fluffy, non-sticky fabric, such as towels, pillows and shirts can be used as a bandage in a first aid situation.

Other reasons for bandages include broken bones, fractures and dislocations.

I learnt about 4 main types of bandaging techniques; Support, pressure, protection and immobilisation. Before you start to bandage any animal, it is important that you have all of the equipment you need with you. This is so that you don’t have to leave an animal in a situation that it could hurt itself. This delay can also cause stress to the individual. Common bandaging equipment includes Lister bandage scissors which are blunt and used to cut clothes or bandages, blunt curved scissors and Littauer scissors for stitches. Having any bandage you need to hand is also crucial. Bandages include; white open weave bandage, conforming bandage, tubular bandage, cohesive bandage (vet wrap), crepe bandage and plaster of Paris (Only to be used on one side of the splint).

I learnt how to carry out different types of bandaging including; limb bandages, ear bandages, chest bandages, ring pad bandages and tail bandages, amongst others.

After an animal has had a bandage put on, after care is crucial. It is important that the cast stays dry, that its not too tight, it’s not causing sores or possible infections and that the animal doesn’t destroy it. If any of these happen, a vet must be contacted immediately.

During the session, I learnt how to carry out ear bandages. To do this, you have to put a sterile dressing on the wound and put padding on the top of the head. Put the ear against this pad and add more cotton wool to the other side of the ear. The primary layer is soft ban. This should be wrapped around the head in a figure of eight pattern, making sure to go on either side of the ear and under the chin. The animal must still be able to open their mouth and breath. Repeat this process with vet wrap and make sure it isn’t too tight. Write on the bandage where the ear is positioned to avoid injury when it comes to taking the bandage off.

We practiced this type of bandage on stuffed toy dogs.

I did another session on the animal unit. This time I worked in the rodents room cleaning out the chinchillas and the new female Gambian Pouched rat. I spot cleaned the cages and replaced any patches that needed new substrate. I also changed the water and food as well as providing them with fruit.

There were also sand baths which needed sieving through.

I noticed the Gambian Pouched rat had some diarrhoea on a log. I told the technician who said it might be a bad reaction to a pumpkin put in the day before for Halloween.

I also handled a Syrian hamster and a rat.

This week was my first time on the animal unit. Due to the fact that this was a first time experience, I had to learn where everything was and get to know the individual animals. I mainly worked with the rabbits and guinea pigs. I gave them a spot clean, changed their food and water, gave them more straw and hey and replaced any boxes that had been nibbled too much. I held some reptiles and learnt how to assist with shedding for a gecko using water. I learnt that if a reptile doesn’t shed properly, the excess skin can tighten and stop blood flow. This could result in the animal losing body parts such as fingers and tails.

Before taking part, there were certain rules I had to follow to keep the animals and myself safe. These were that my earrings were out, I had no other jewellery on and I was wearing my animal work coat and appropriate shoes.

I also reported a pig that had a bleeding gum so it could be checked.I was surprised at how friendly the pigs were. I previously thought that they would want to be left alone and possibly get angry or scared when approached. In reality, they wanted to be stroked and even came to us for attention.

During this session, I got to know a variety of animals that were living on the animal unit. However, there are many more I am yet to learn about and I look forward to this.

Before joining the Animal Science course, I completed my level 3 animal management course. This has given me a good start to progress from this year. There are many skills I currently have from this such as:

• Organisation
• Time management
• Patience

I was also able to learn skills such as handling and restraining animals:

Me restraining a bearded dragon

As well as carrying out health checks:

Me listening to a rabbits heart rate

I also did 18 months of work experience at pets at home where I gained skills such as confidence when working with the public and I learnt what is included in running a shop. For example, I helped with stock checking.