Casting materials

Re: Casting materials

Rob Loxley — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:45:59 GMT

We'll commonly bivalve small animal casts to allow redressing/inspection, but be aware that it significantly compromises the structural integrity of the cast, and bear that in mind when making it initially, and in what plane you cut it

Re: Casting materials

mariette asselbergs — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:51:12 GMT

To avoid problems with removal I make 2 half casts and apply them together with vetwrap and or ductape. Very easy to remove and for quick checks during the 6 weeks or longer they need to stay on.

Mariette

Re: Casting materials

Braden Collins — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:15:08 GMT

For large animal casts I would actually use a splint. An appropriate size bit of PVC pipe cut in half works very well. I've used it in foals and calves with a lot of success. Just make sure you have sufficient padding. I even used a bit of gutter of a farmers shed once when I was desperate.

Re: Casting materials

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:05:47 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]Not sure what the official name is but a circular blade, quick and easy to do, mains powered. [/quote]

An oscillating saw - blade moves forwards and backwards very quickly. Only cuts hard things - you can safely touch it to soft tissue. (unlike my angle grinder......... )

Top tip - don't buy one from anywhere medical or vetty. Look to the tool market. They are used by electricians and plumbers and there is a large selection at various different price and quality points. You can get a cheap and cheerful one even from Aldi/Lidl sometimes.

The brand leader is Fein, and we have the cordless version and it is excellent. POP cuts with HSS blades but you need the diamond blades for the synthetic casts. The Bosch kit is also very good quality.

Axminster cheap for quality tools (a certain York based vet supplier wants twice the money for a diamond blade)

http://www.axminster.co.uk/fein-fein-afmm14-cordless-li-ion-multimaster-144v-prod867546/

Re: Casting materials

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:52:41 GMT

Vet Glas. Brilliant. You can often unpeel it when removing if you can get the end started.

Re: Casting materials

Wren — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:22:16 GMT

Dynacast. Works a treat. Technique as per Michael for padding etc.

Removal with a saw. Not sure what the official name is but a circular blade, quick and easy to do, mains powered.

Re: Casting materials

Bob Russell — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:20:12 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]

Ok, I'll have a look what we have. Are they easy to remove with wire? Guess they'd be too hard for plaster cutters?

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Your bandages are old if they are behaving like you say.[/quote]

I thought that but think these are recently bought and definitely within date! Boss will have to use one tomorrow so will see what he thinks!

Many thanks for your help as usual

[/quote]

I thread the dehorning wire through a length of drip tubing before casting over to give a bit more protection to tissues underneath. Probably not necessary but keeps me happy!

Re: Casting materials

karen jones — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:45:18 GMT

Haven't used pop in years we use vet cast which you put in warm water then handles. Like a bandage . Our plaster cutter removes it easily. Doesn't matter if animal gets it wet as doesn't crumble

Re: Casting materials

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:39:48 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]Ok, I'll have a look what we have. Are they easy to remove with wire? Guess they'd be too hard for plaster cutters?[/quote]

The worst part is removal. We have an oscillating saw with a diamond blade and it still works. In a cow with 3 X 10cm I do usually use an angle grinder to remove!

A length of dehorning/embryotomy wire twice the anticipated length of the cast is fine for removal on anything calf sized and below. You need enough length that when you need to remove the cast you have movement to saw. I did some too short when learning and that was when I discovered the joys of the angle grinder. [If you are not used to an angle grinder do not use one on living animals].

I usually do a layer of under cast padding lamb (up to sheep size) or a single layer of gamgee (sheep or cow size). In a lamb then go straight for casting material. Over gamgee I do a layer of cohesive bandage to keep it neat. On a cow or adult sheep I put some extra padding under the dew claws. Then the cast. If I have placed wire underneath I tape it down top and bottom over the cast with wide (10cm) elastic adhesive bandage.

Re: Casting materials

Busybee — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:31:51 GMT

Ok, I'll have a look what we have. Are they easy to remove with wire? Guess they'd be too hard for plaster cutters?

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Your bandages are old if they are behaving like you say.[/quote]

I thought that but think these are recently bought and definitely within date! Boss will have to use one tomorrow so will see what he thinks!

Many thanks for your help as usual

Re: Casting materials

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:25:19 GMT

[quote user="Busybee"]Michael - is that the fibreglass stuff? We do have some of that on shelf but I have never used it. [/quote]

I'm not sure if it is fibreglass, but they are synthetic polymer casting tapes. Once set completely impermeable to water. Plaster of Paris goes soggy and starts to break down. The synthetic casts are stronger, lighter and easier to apply.

Your bandages are old if they are behaving like you say.

Orthona was a Milpledge product so they would be the people to ask re availability.

Once you've tried synthetic you won't go back to POP. Promise

Re: Casting materials

Busybee — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:14:37 GMT

Michael - is that the fibreglass stuff? We do have some of that on shelf but I have never used it.

I find the orthona works brilliantly - plenty of plaster to smear and sets really nicely. The others, the plaster just seems to clump and stay on the bandage - its starts hard and doesn't seem to soften. Even the one I discarded, I left in the water to see if it would soften at all and it wouldn't. I've tried hot water, cool water, lots of water, very little water...and I just can't get on with it :(

Re: Casting materials

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:02:41 GMT

BB - I honestly wouldn't mess about with Gypsona, plaster of Paris has had its day.

Who is your wholesaler? If you use Henry Schein then their own brand synthetic casting tape is fine and good value (eg "CASTING TAPE WHITE 10CMX3.6M"). Goes from super flexible to hard as a rock in no time. If you don't have a decent saw then cut a length of dehorning wire and put over the padding under the cast.

The biggest mistake I see is people not getting the cast wet enough. Put them in the water and squeeze. You need them saturated to the centre. I often add more water as I go along. If using synthetic casts for the first time then use tepid water and you will have lots of time. Hot water and you have a race on your hands. Wear gloves and keep smoothing. It will get hot as it sets.

I tend to use:

Lamb - 1 X 5cm

Calf 2 X 7.5cm or 1 X 7.5cm & 1 X 10cm

Cow 3 X 10cm (can get away with 2 X 10cm and 1 X 7.5cm)

I carry 2 X 10cm and 1 X 7.5cm in the car so if I come accross a # OOH or on a visit I can deal. They don't last for ever and can 'set' in the packaging. Give them a squeeze when delivered as if the packaging has been damaged they can be set on delivery. There should be some give in the packet with firm pressure.

We just stock white, but there are all sorts of colours to take your fancy.

Re: Casting materials

Becky Filby — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:49:00 GMT

I don't use it very often but not had any problems with our gypsona. Could yours just be a bad batch/been on the shelf for a long time?