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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2655-9218
Original Research

Incidence of Bandage-Associated Complications in Cats following Clean Orthopaedic Procedures: A Retrospective Study of 152 Cases

Debbie Clayton
1   Department of Surgery, Veterinary Specialists of Sydney, Miranda, New South Wales, Australia
,
Sorcha Costello
2   Department of Surgery, Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Melanie Olive
3   Department of Surgery, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Andrew S. Levien
4   Department of Surgery, VCA Animal Care Centre of Sonoma County, Rohnert Park, California, United States
,
QiCai Jason Hoon 
5   Department of Surgery, Veterinary Specialist Services, Underwood, Queensland, Australia
,
Jun R. Loh
6   Department of Surgery, Southpaws, Malvern East, Victoria, Australia
,
Alen Lai
7   Department of Surgery, The Pet Specialists, Terrey Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
King Mac
7   Department of Surgery, The Pet Specialists, Terrey Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Evelyn Hall
3   Department of Surgery, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Rachel M. Basa 
1   Department of Surgery, Veterinary Specialists of Sydney, Miranda, New South Wales, Australia
3   Department of Surgery, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Abstract

Objective

To report the incidence of bandage-associated complications in cats following clean orthopaedic injury.

Study Design

Multi-institutional retrospective case series of 152 client-owned cats. Medical records were searched for cats that had a bandage placed after a clean orthopaedic injury. Data collected included: signalment, diagnosis, anatomical region, orthopaedic procedure, professional role of the person applying the bandage (specialist/resident/nurse), bandage duration, complications, and outcomes.

Results

A total of 152 cats had bandages placed after clean orthopaedic injuries. Complications were reported in 104 cats (68.4%). Bandage-related complications were mild in 64.4% cases, moderate in 32.7% cases, and severe 2.9% of cases. If a cat had a splint placed, it was 3.4 times more likely to have a more severe complication compared with a cat which did not require a splint.

Conclusion

Bandage complications occur frequently in cats, and the use of splints was a significant predictor of increased complication severity. Clinicians should be particularly vigilant when bandaging limbs in cats, as complications secondary to bandaging occur frequently. These findings underscore the importance of appropriate case selection for bandage application and monitoring strategies to minimize the risk of complications.

Keywords

feline - bandaging - orthopaedics - cats - surgery

Ethical Approval Statement

This paper reports on retrospective data, and as such ethical approval was not required from our institution.


Authors' Contribution

D.C. and R.M.B conceived the idea for the article. All authors collected and processed the data. E.H. conducted the statistical analysis. D.C, R.M.B., and S.C. analysed and interpreted the data. D.C., R.M.B., and S.C. drafted the initial manuscript. All authors contributed to the critical revision and approval of the final manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 23 January 2025

Accepted: 15 July 2025

Article published online:
31 July 2025

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