Should I get the stitches out? (photo inside)

I was told to get Libby's spay stitches removed in 10-14 days. Today is day 14. But last week she had issues with the incision. She had a serum pocket, and it was hard and lumpy and oozing serum. She is on antibiotics for that and for her runny nose - this is the last day on the antibiotics. The incision is better now.

I was told by one of the other foster moms that I shouldn't get the stitches out unless the incision looks like it is ready. I don't know what it should look like! I was hoping it would look all closed up, but it doesn't. I wish my vet had e-mail at work so I could just mail her the photo and ask if it is time to bring Libby in, but she doesn't so I am asking you guys instead!

Hopefully you can see okay from the photo. Should I make an appointment to get them out, or wait? If I wait too long, will the flesh grow into the stitches?

 

There will be more knowledgeable advice to follow from others here I'm sure but I don't believe there would be any complications in leaving the stitches in a bit longer. To me it looks like it could use another weeks healing.

 

If that were on a human, they would probably remove the stitches and put steri-strips on the incision site....I don't think that's done for dogs though. I know that's probably not helpful lol, but I thought I'd chime in :wink: !

 

the incision looks like it has not knitted together fully yet but mitzys looks a little like that, My vet checked it and said that most had joined so removed the stitches.

I would say have the vet look at it and if he/she is happy with the incision the stitches can be removed.

Also compared to mitzys spay mark that incision does not look like it was stitched together correctly, Mitzys was in a perfect straight line and was only an inch wide opening.

I was told to use warm salt water to keep the cut as it is safer than most products you can get.

the stitches should be ready to come out now as they do not really like to leave them in over 14days, If after the stitches are removed the tissue starts to seperate they will then put some new ones in.

Mike

 

Okay, I will make an appointment. I can't help but wonder if some vets take less care in surgeries on fosters/shelter dogs. I hate to even think that, but they are working for very reduced fees for those dogs.

 

Your possibly right Jamiya, from my own experience 'some' shelters may have just one vet working 5 or 6 shelters doing spays and neuters daily, its more like an assembly line, I have known vets ( although not just at shelters) that scare me, sometimes I think there must be a website somewhere were you can print up your own license!!!!

Then again I know vets who have done free spay and neuters just for the fact that the owners didnt have the money and the vets are tired of unwanted puppies and seeing shelters busting at the sides with so many homeless pets, theyve done a great job and done it no different than if someone had paid them thousands of dollars.

My opinion is if a vet has no real interest in what he/she is doing.....then quit the job, either do it right or dont do it at all. (Weve had to deal with many messed up spays and neuters and I can tell you that for most vets they get just as angry at the unprofessionalism of bad vets).

 

This vet isn't at the shelter, but he does spay/neuter for a reduced fee for our group.

I got the stitches out Friday. Once she took them out, you could see it actually was healed. Libby had a little bit of a reaction to the stitches so her skin was sort of bumpy but the vet said that would go away.

And then she got adopted on Saturday!!

 

Glad to hear she is healing and doing well.

Glad to hear she got adopted out its great knowing they go to loving homes

Mike