Dog Community

Dog chewing stitches?

Posted : 10/13/2011 8:49:23 PM

Okay, so my pup got neutered 2 days ago--and just a few minutes ago I heard him ripping at the stitches with his teeth. He's only done it the one time, that I know of, but that's enough to have me nervous. Should I go to the vet and get one of those cone things, or is there a less humiliating alternative for him? He's constantly licking the stitches, and now I'm going to be anxious about him ripping them out. Thanks for any help!

erica1989

Posted : 10/13/2011 10:36:07 PM

Absolutely!! We send home all of our surgeries with one. Much better than the infectious alternative!

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/13/2011 11:14:44 PM

If you've got an ace bandage you can put it on (NOT tight). You can roll up a towel tight and wrap it around the back of the skull/neck and secure that with vet wrap or ace bandage until you CAN go to the vet and get an e-collar.

2 days is NOT enough time for that to seal and hold.

NightSwan

Posted : 10/14/2011 11:29:10 AM

Alright, thank you for the help! I'll see if my mum would be willing to stop by the vet either today or tomorrow.

NightSwan

Posted : 10/14/2011 11:30:34 AM

Alright, thank you for the help! I'll try and go to the vet either today or tomorrow. If tomorrow, I'll see which of the alternatives he will let me do (he's a big baby, so I don't think he'll want me to put a bandage on it)

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/14/2011 10:40:21 PM

Just keep your hands on him then - you don't want him chewing those stitches out and opening that up -- it would be messy and very likely to infect.

Xebby

Posted : 10/14/2011 10:58:47 PM

Another alternative to an e-collar is to use a rolled up towel that is tape around his neck to restrict his movement, kinda like a neck brace. If he can't bend his neck, then he can't move his head around to get to the stitched but can still function normally.

Here is a pic I found demonstrating this method, thanks to a Basset forum:

http://www.basset.net/boards/general-basset-hound-discussion/10331-e-collar-alternative.html

NightSwan

Posted : 10/25/2011 3:54:41 PM

Ah yes, I thought about doing that but since he's only 8 pounds I was afraid our towels would be too bulky--but anyways thanks for your concern, he hasn't chewed on them since and his stitches have healed up rather nicely, I think.

netwarrior007

Posted : 11/14/2011 7:25:32 PM

I feel sorry for your little furry friend, but i am sure it's only being bothered by a bit of itching on the stitches, besides it's in all dogs nature to scratch and nibble on their body parts sometime.

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Stephenie

Posted : 12/26/2011 10:47:53 AM

Absolutely!!