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Your pet has sustained an injury and/or
infectious process, which require hot packing or soaking to facilitate
its resolution. This handout describes the
hot packing procedure
in
an attempt to ensure its proper
application to your pet’s injury. Please follow these instructions
carefully.
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Fill a bucket or sink with hot water
(hot to the touch but not scalding or painful).
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Dip
a clean washcloth or towel into the hot water and wring it out so
that it is still somewhat moist
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Apply the moistened towel to the
injury and apply gentle pressure
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Remove the cloth when it no longer
feels warm and repeat steps 2 and 3.
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Continue this procedure for 5 minutes
and repeat it 2-4 times per day.
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If your pet has drains (plastic or
cloth wicks) placed in the wound, be sure to remove any scabs and/or
debris that tend to accumulate at the exit holes. This is best
accomplished after the hot packing procedure is completed as the
process softens the debris.
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Once the drains are removed, it is
still VERY IMPORTANT to continue the hot packing procedure. Failure
to do so may result in the formation of an abscess or serum pocket (seroma).
It is particularly important to keep the drain exit holes open as
long as possible after the drains are removed to promote drainage of
residual fluid. Therefore, continue to remove scabs and/or debris
with each hot packing.
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If your veterinarian has prescribed
an antiseptic solution such as Betadine or Nolvasan to be used in
the hot packing procedure, simply add it to the hot packing water at
the dilution prescribed. If Epsom salts are suggested, be sure to
rinse the area with fresh water after hot packing to remove the
excess salts.
Please remember that the successful
healing of your pet’s wound is dependant on your following these
instructions carefully.
If, after reading this handout, you have
any questions, Please feel free to ask the doctor or any of our well
trained staff for assistance.
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