Question about Misty's incision...Is this normal?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Question about Misty's incision...Is this normal?

    Hi, I was supposed to call the vet yesterday, and totally forgot, but I was wondering if anybody here can help, since it's early...the vet's not in just yet.  Misty got fixed on Nov. 14th, and her incision was looking really good, but the other day I noticed at the one end, it seems like it's open.  It's not flaming red, and from what I can see, it doesn't look yellow or pussie, but I'm concerned.  Since she spends a lot of time outdoors I don't want her to end up w/ an infection.  Has this ever happened to your dogs?  If so, did you have to take them to the vet?  Or, did you put iodine on it, or cover it, or what?  Advice (as always) is much appreciated!  Thanks!

    • Gold Top Dog

     You said you noticed this the other day?  Have you had a good look at today?  Does it still seem open?  Feel around the incision.  If it feels very different, I'd have it looked at.  A bit of a lump in there, isn't necessarily a bad thing.  But anything worse is possibly a problem.  I'd call the vet and have a chat anyway, just to be sure.  You probably alredy have as its much later during the day now.  But with no signs of infection, it may just be the way it healed. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    I called and spoke with his assistant, and she asked if she was licking it.  I told her probably, she doesn't do it all the time, but I'm sure she has.  So, I put some neosporin on it, and to keep her from licking it off, I put a wrap around it, which was ridiculously tough!  Aaarrrggghhh!  What a pain (for me) it was!  So, I had to do this at least twice, before I finally gave up on it, but it was on long enough that today, it looked better.  It actually looked more like a scab.  I don't feel any lumps or bumps or anything.  It doesn't see to bother her when I touch around/near it.  It's not red or inflamed.  Although, when I look at it now, it looks moist looking again.  So she's probably been licking at it!  I think tomorrow, I'm gonna give her a bath after I make sure she's done going outside for awhile, and see how it looks.  I've noticed her incision, always looks better after a good cleaning.  Maybe too, I'll be able to get a really good look at it.  Keeping something on her to keep it covered was next to impossible.  I wanted to keep it covered, so she wouldn't lick the neosporin off, and how are you supposed to keep a dog from licking, period!  If you have any ideas on that, that would be helpful.   Thanks for replying, I appreciate it!

    • Gold Top Dog

    I think sometimes the only way to prevent licking is an e-collar (or similiar product).

    • Gold Top Dog

    Really?  I even told my husband I wish you can buy e-collars.  Today, though, it looks really good!  I never did give her the bath I was planning on, but when I catch her actually licking at it, I make her stop.  It looks like it's scabbing up again, so hopefully, me buggin' her it will help it heal up.  The problem is at night, how do I know if she's licking at it, and if she is, I ain't gonna be able to stop her.  So, I'll just keep an eye on it, and keep on her to make sure she's not licking at it at least during the day, and see what happens.  Thank You!

    • Gold Top Dog

    The Petsmart in our town sells e-collars.  If you are worried about her messing w/ it I would check out some pet supply stores.  Maybe just give them a call and see if they have any.  You could probably find some online, but by the time it ships to you you might not need it anymore Cool

    • Gold Top Dog
    until you get one you can use a rolled up hand towel around the neck taped together. Only under supervision of course. They have nice foam ones like a sleeping pillow you get for airlines at one of my local stores too.
    • Gold Top Dog

    Oh, Thanks!  I didn't know you could buy e-collars, and thanks for the idea of the rolled up hand towel. 

    I just took a look at it, since she's laying beside me.  It is looking really good!  It doesn't look as open as it did when I first posted.  It is actually a lot smaller.  Maybe she doesn't bother much with it at night, and since she doesn't leave my side, I've been stopping her if I noticed her licking at it.  Thank you all for your suggestions, and help!  I was really getting worried, and was so afraid, she'd get an infection.  I mean, how do you slow down a BC??  It's next to impossible!  LOL  Thanks again!