Guest TexasGreytMom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 (edited) Our girl had a spot removed on the side of her face last week on Wednesday. I tried to call our vet today to find out when the sutures need to be removed, but didn't get thru. I've removed sutures myself in the past but can't recall how long we had to wait before removing them. For some reason, 7-10 days sounds familiar. Does anyone know? Thanks! Edited July 14, 2009 by TexasGreytMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Not sure but wouldn't take them out until you talk with the vet. Around 7 days? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MnMDogs Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I waited 14 days for any of ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycezmom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Yup! Fourteen days usually does it. Still, check with your vet. L. Quote The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël Missing my Bridge Angels Ryce, Bo, Jim, Miss Millie, Miss Rose, Gustopher P Jones (Pimpmaster G), Miss Isabella and Miss Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TexasGreytMom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I'll call them tomorrow. I just didn't want to leave them in too long because I know they're difficult to remove if you wait too long. Appreciate the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahicks51 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 In my (very limited) experience, not leaving them in long enough is a bigger problem. For a small spot on the side of the face, that's not a concern at all. But for larger areas on the chest and abdomen, it may be a consideration. Quote Coco (Maze Cocodrillo) Minerva (Kid's Snipper) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurnerMiller01 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 (edited) We took sutures out of Figgy's leg.. he had a growth removed in FL and then came to PA and the was in our home for weeks ... then the vet said to remove them... it was completely healed... it was almost 3.5 weeks... they were ready to come out... it was not hard to get them out... just used a little Betadine on the sutures first to clean the area and then snip and a little tug and they were out.. it was 5 or 6 of them in his back leg. eta: to fix my spelling error...lol Edited July 14, 2009 by TurnerMiller01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 At LEAST 7 days, ... depends on the wound. If you remove too soon, it will open back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 The e-vet said 7 to 10 days for staples in Sam's foot. We waited the full 10 days and that was a problem because he'd been such a good patient: the skin was starting to grow back over the top of the staples, and the tech had to dig to get them out. GSOD, of course. Scared the bejeebers out of the tech, who dropped everything he had in his hands (staple puller thingy, Sam's foot, etc.). All over the vet clinic, waiting-room customers were flinching in fear, vet staff folks were getting off the phone when their callers started saying, "OMG, what's going on there?" I had an uncontrollable case of the giggles, and Sam continued to scream when the tech touched his foot with one finger--let alone started digging for another staple. The poor tech finally got out the last staple (there were only four of them). Then he took Sam out into the waiting room and fed him a cookie in front of all the horrified witnesses, just to show it wasn't nearly as bad as Sam had been claiming. And that tech is still Sam's favorite when we go in... Anyway, if the skin looks nicely closed up, you might want to go in sooner rather than later. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Depends on the wound and depth. At least 7 days but usually longer. I usually wait until the sutures move freely, the wound has dried, and you can no longer see into the hole (so to speak). It's safe to leave them in a bit longer Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Waiting an extra day or two until you hear from the vet should not be a problem. As someone else mentioned, taking them out too early is usually more of a concern... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greensleeves Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We're always told 10 to 14 days, and we usually schedule the removal for about Day 12, to split the difference. In fact, several years ago when I had stitches in my finger, I had a routine doctor's appointment on Day 9, and asked if I could have *them* remove the stitches, since we were just a day shy. They refused, and made me come back the next day. (shrug) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex95lucy Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 If staples or sutures have scabs or skin growing over them sometimes a warm wet washcloth on the area first helps to soften everything up for easier removal. With some of these cases I have seen doctors just quickly yank out each suture or staple and the patient usually was not very happy Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 We take them out when it looks healed up and they look ready to come out. If you aren't sure, ask the vet. Never hurts to leave them in a bit longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 7 to 10 days, look at the area if it looks healed remove them, it can be diffficult to remove them if they are in to long, then it becomes are real nightmare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TexasGreytMom Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I called our vet today and for this particular incision, she recommended 7-10 days. I removed the sutures this evening and the wound looks great. The sutures were loose and the wound was dry. Thanks for the rule of thumb - to be sure that the incision is dry and the sutures are loose. Of course, this was a very small incision - for a more extensive wound, I wouldn't risk taking them out myself. Appreciate all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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