How to Care for Your Dog's Stitches

After your dog receives treatment or surgery at the veterinary clinic, it will likely have stitches. During this time, it's crucial to provide careful attention to help your dog recover quickly. You need to understand what your dog can and cannot do, and also be aware of any unusual signs that would require contacting the vet. Typically, a dog's wound or stitches from surgery will fully heal in 10 to 14 days. You should monitor your dog during this period or until the vet confirms complete recovery.

Prevent the dog from biting or licking the stitches. Once the pain relievers or anesthetics wear off, your dog may begin to bite or lick its stitches. This not only risks damaging the skin but also potentially causes infection. You can scold your dog to stop this behavior immediately or fit it with a muzzle.

• If necessary, you can have your dog wear an anti-licking collar until the stitches are completely healed. The collar should be kept on continuously, as frequent removal and reapplication may cause your dog to resist. You may need to leave the collar on for up to two weeks.
• You can also try a neck brace to prevent your dog from turning its head. This device is useful when the anti-licking collar causes discomfort.

Avoid letting your dog scratch the surgical site. As the wound starts healing, it may become itchy, prompting the dog to scratch it. To prevent this behavior, you can put a cone on your dog or cover the wound with a bandage or gauze. Make sure to monitor your dog regularly to ensure it doesn't scratch the stitches.

• Consider putting shoes or protective covers on your dog's paws to stop it from harming the wound.
• Scratching could tear the stitches and reopen the wound, allowing dirt and bacteria from the dog's paws to cause an infection.
• Repeated scratching or rubbing can lead to swelling. Excessive swelling could cause the stitches to burst.

Keep the wound and stitches clean. You must ensure your dog doesn't get dirty or soil the stitches by preventing it from going outside or playing in muddy or overgrown areas. If the wound gets dirty, it may become infected or cause other complications.

• Don't apply ointments, creams, antiseptics, or any substance to the dog's wound without veterinary approval. Also, avoid using solutions like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as they can interfere with the healing process.
• Follow the vet's instructions on when to change the bandage.
• Make sure your dog's bed is clean. Lay down a clean blanket or towel for your dog to sleep on each night, and replace it if it gets slightly dirty.

Keep the wound and stitches dry. Do not bathe your dog while the wound is still healing. Moisture can encourage bacterial growth and lead to infection. Furthermore, moisture softens the skin, reducing its ability to protect the wound from infection.

• To keep the stitches and bandages dry when your dog is outside, you can cover the wound with a plastic bag or plastic wrap, removing it as soon as your dog is back inside.

Assess the wound regularly. If you aren't bandaging the wound, observe the stitches several times a day for changes or signs of infection. This is crucial as your dog's wound heals. It should look clean and well-closed, with some slight redness and possibly a slight purple discoloration around the area.

• The wound may swell slightly and excrete a small amount of blood or a blood-tinged fluid. However, if you notice abnormal swelling, excessive drainage, or yellow-green discharge, you should contact your veterinarian.
• Watch for signs like swelling, bad odor, discharge, irritation, or the appearance of new lesions on the skin.

Cover the wound if necessary. If you can't prevent the dog from licking or touching the stitches, you can cover the wound. For stitches on the upper body, put a cotton t-shirt on your dog to allow airflow. The shirt should fit snugly, neither too loose nor too tight, and you can tie the bottom to prevent it from slipping up.

• This is particularly useful if you have multiple dogs and can't separate them.
• You can also cover the stitches with gauze, especially if the wound is on the dog's leg.
• If your dog uses its back paws to scratch the wound, consider putting a tight-fitting sock on its paw to prevent the claws from tearing the stitches.

Schedule the surgery when you can be at home. Unless it's an emergency, try to plan the surgery when you have time to stay at home and care for your dog. You will need to observe for any unusual symptoms, ensure your dog rests, and comfort it during recovery.

• During this period, avoid having guests over. Keep the environment quiet to help your dog rest properly.

Avoid overexertion for your dog. When your dog has stitches, you need to restrict its physical activity. Excessive movement can cause swelling around the surgical site, so limit activities such as running up and down stairs, jumping in excitement, or engaging in other energetic activities. This could cause the surgery area to stretch and become inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, and discomfort.

• Keep your dog on a leash for 7 to 14 days post-injury or surgery. This will help prevent too much movement and protect the wound.
• This might be challenging at home. If you can't keep your dog calm, using a crate could help limit its movements.
• Use barriers to prevent your dog from going up stairs. Whenever your dog is left alone, set up a barrier to stop it from running around or jumping onto furniture.

Keep your dog away from other dogs. Other dogs, including those in your home, could pose a risk to your dog while its stitches are still healing. They may try to lick the wound, so it is important to isolate your dog until it's fully healed.

• You may need to crate your dog to prevent contact with other animals.

Contact the vet if you're concerned. Your dog's health requires special attention at this time. If you notice excessive bleeding, unusual swelling or discharge from the wound, fever, lethargy, vomiting, or any other abnormal signs, contact your vet.

• If you're unsure, consider sending a photo of your dog to the vet for guidance. They can help you determine if the wound is healing properly.