

What Bacteria Can Be Involved?Ĭlipper blades have been shown to harbor several types of Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Actinomyces, as well as E. Appropriate clipping and cleaning techniques are important to reduce these risks. Nosocomial infections are a growing concern in our profession. When clippers cause abrasions or “clipper burn,” the damaged tissue can result in bacterial colonization or infection. At worst, it can lead to dehiscence of the incision.
#Clipper blades skin
In addition, skin trauma can encourage patients to lick at their surgical site. Just think of the last paper cut you had. The most obvious reason is that they hurt. What’s the Big Deal About Cuts and Abrasions? Here are 10 questions and answers about the proper use and management of clippers.

A classic comment is “our clippers suck.” To be fair, clippers are abused, poorly cleaned and dropped regularly.

We reach for clippers during wound management, before ultrasounds, to place IV catheters and to perform intradermal allergy testing.Īs ubiquitous as they are, the humble clippers are a common source of frustration. Veterinarians rarely pay much attention to clipping and clippers, but they should, because poor technique and cleaning actually could affect the outcome of the surgery.Ĭlipping patients actually goes well beyond surgery. When surgery patients go home, they sometimes look like Freddy Krueger visited them in their anesthetic dreams.
