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Need ideas - quick! - for keeping splint dry in snow

4K views 35 replies 24 participants last post by  DobieGal15 
#1 ·
We are having a snowstorm here in MN and the snow is now deeper than the fluids bag that we tie on Richter's splint to keep it dry. The bag is also not quite as tall as the splint. I tried taping a Target bag to his foot but that didn't work well at all. Thankfully I caught it right away so his bandage isn't wet, but I need help! Creative ideas, please, super quick!
 
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#7 ·
when i had my knee reconstructed in Ohio in the middle of a winter, i wrapped my leg in 2 trash bags, and then duct-taped it tightly closed, and made sure the duct tape attached to my skin - but i only left it on for short periods of time. they make water-proof bandage adhesive tapes for longer lasting stick... but you probably don't need that. and when i had multiple carpal tunnel and de quervain's surgeries on my hands, i used newspaper plastic sleeves - always at least 2, because i found that many of them had holes and leaks ... again, we used duct tape. have i been under a rock?? what happened to little Richter?? i have to go searching..... (the nurse part of me says don't do the saran wrap or any "wrap" technique, as it is just begging for leaks - you need something secure - but once he starts walking on it, it might break anyway - maybe you need to consider putting a doggy boot - or taping a sock - over the plastic, to keep it from tearing?)
 
#10 ·
When one of our past greyhounds had a broken toe and similar cast we used an IV bag cut open at one end. We put that over the cast and then a knee sock over the top of that so she would have traction on the snow/ice. She was over 14 so the last thing we needed was her slipping around. Of course the sock would get soaked but we would just take it off and wash it when she came in. We kept a few pairs handy so we could rotate through them throughout the day. The cast stayed perfectly dry and she didn't slip because of the slippery bag. Eventually the IV bag got worn out and a newspaper bag worked perfectly! Maybe even better because it wasn't so thick and it was easier to get the sock over! I was paranoid about the cast getting wet so I double bagged her when we used the newspaper bags because they were much thinner than the IV bag.
 
#11 ·
eeek, no duct tape- their body temp is higher than ours and I have seen the tape actually melt onto dogs' skin :( very painful. The tall sock idea is a good one, and then cover it with trash bags. You could temporarily secure the top of the bag with hair bows? or rubberbands, but dont leave on very long
 
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#12 ·
The IV bag is what we have, but it's not tall enough.

Plan: I made a very tall fleece sock. Fleece is decent at repelling water. I will put that over the splint. Then, I found a thicker plastic bag and modified it with duct tape. That will go over the fleece sock. Will then tie around the top to keep top of plastic bag closed.

Fingers crossed.
 
#13 ·
When I had surgery on my elbow I used a plastic trash bag and water still got in. Then I broke my big toe and was put in cast up to my knee for 6 weeks. I found at Walgreens a cover specifically made to cover casts and bandages so that one could shower. It was made of heavy plastic/silicone type material with airtight gasket to seal at top of cast. No water ever got it. I know there were sizes for small children. Maybe one to fit Richter
 
#14 ·
Bread bag? Also look for Coban. It's really stretchy and sticks to itself which makes it easy to change but also stay put. They sell it in the first aid isle. I would also suggest a zip lock bag cut at the bottom to make a sleeve, duct tape it to another freezer bag to make a large bag. Then secure to the dog with Coban. Good luck! I do not miss snow!!!


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#16 ·
If you have a foodsaver (or really, any vaccuum sealer), make an extra-long bag out of the roll material. That stuff is pretty tough.

ETA: If you don't have one, maybe a friend or neighbor does?
 
#18 ·
Glad Press-n-Seal, put it on tight and several layers, conform it to his leg.

Works great for potty trips, wouldn't stay on for romping, but he's not allowed anyway, is he?
 
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#19 ·
I think we'll try the Press-n-Seal. No, he can't play, but I confess that the first time I let him out today I didn't expect him to race around (because he hasn't been doing that at all on leash), so I didn't leash him and he charged around through the snow like a maniac. No worse for the wear, but he definitely can't be doing that!
 
#22 ·
Glad Press-n-Seal for the win! That worked awesome!
 
#23 · (Edited)
Just some random thoughts Nicole:
^^^^ Gorilla Duck Tape (black in color) has the best stick, when wet...or HD elastic bands, for holding on ice hockey shin pads.

How about Goretex Socks (as a waterproof vapour barrier)?
GEAR Goretex Socks? -- BackpackingLight.com Forums
GORE BIKE WEAR® GORE-TEX Sock - GORE-TEX products
Rocky Stretch GORE-TEX Oversocks (Unisex) - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

Quotes:
Seal Skinz socks that have worked really well in wet areas. Note, however, that any type of 'waterproof' sock does not breath well...
Gore-Tex Socks
I also dig those goretex socks; I have a pair of the Rocky socks, and a pair of military surplus from eBay: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220060759279
 
#26 ·
All sealed up to go out:





So much nicer to snuggle up inside!

 
#30 ·
I just noticed you have the plastic even on the bottom of his foot.

This is messy, and more laundry, but I worry when they are all slidey and don't have traction like that, so, I got little tiny kiddo socks that have the traction grids on the bottom, and put one of those on Whip's foot, *over* the plastic.

It got instantly soggy and nasty, but she didn't slide around. As soon as it was time to come back in, I rolled off the wet sock and chucked it in the laundry.
 
#31 ·
Good idea. The snow last night was really soft and mushy, don't think he could have slipped if he tried. It got much colder today, though, and some of the paths Shanoa has made are definitely packed down and slippery. I will put a sock over the bottom so he doesn't fall. Thanks!
 
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