Wound And Stitches

[Guest ljh777]

Our girl had an accident running last night, she slipped in the yard and ran into her fence. She has a large cut near her throat down her front. I am sick just thinking about it.

The vet stitched her up and thankfully she is OK and home with us... but when we look at her cut, it appears to be "open" in places, like the stitches are wider apart. A little blood is coming out but it is definitely not "bleeding" or gushing regularly.

We are new owners, not sure if this is normal, if anyone has any advice, We are worried sick about her.

[JohnF]

Yes it's scary and they cut and tear so easily Often when they're new to a place they do crazy things and get injuries like that out of nowhere. Despite my perparation work at getting rid of dangerous pointy things in the back yard at dog height, Peggy got a long cut over her back hock and nearly severed the main blood vessel from exploring nervously in the back garden, then she somehow went into a cattle grid and grazed both thighs because she wouldn't wait on her long leash by the gate wihle it was being unlatched. Both injuries required about a month kept on tight leash and no jumping.

Wounds heal better if the air can get around them and provided that none of the stitches have come out, what the vet has done should be just right. I'd suggest taking a photo of the wound today for reference and also emailing it to the vet for reassurance. They may give you some Mediscrub to help keep the wound clean but as it's higher up that may not be needed.

Edited March 11, 2010 by JohnF

[Guest Energy11]

Yes it's scary and they cut and tear so easily Often when they're new to a place they do crazy things and get injuries like that out of nowhere. Despite my perparation work at getting rid of dangerous pointy things in the back yard at dog height, Peggy got a long cut over her back hock and nearly severed the main blood vessel from exploring nervously in the back garden, then she somehow went into a cattle grid and grazed both thighs because she wouldn't wait on her long leash by the gate wihle it was being unlatched. Both injuries required about a month kept on tight leash and no jumping.

Wounds heal better if the air can get around them and provided that none of the stitches have come out, what the vet has done should be just right. I'd suggest taking a photo of the wound today for reference and also emailing it to the vet for reassurance. They may give you some Mediscrub to help keep the wound clean but as it's higher up that may not be needed.

 

Sorry to hear about this. The above is good advice. There can be a little seeping around the stitches. You can gently blot this with warm water and a clean towel. I, too, might get a photo and email the vet, just to be on the safe side. Good Luck, and hope this heals soon.

[PatricksMom]

Blood tinged fluid is normal. What's not normal is lots of blood, or anything discharge that smells bad--can be a sign of infection.

[GreyAcresMom]

Also, if they leave a little "room" infection can escape rather than hide and grow. **very simply put**

[Wonder]

They also sometimes add a drain which it doesn't sound like they did for her. Just make sure she doesn't mess with it, maybe put a t-shirt on her.

 

Good luck and hope she heals quickly.

 

Don't let her run and leash potty her

[greysmom]

Also, if the vet didn't advise this, putting a warm compress on the wound several times a day will help keep infection down and the wound heal faster. As warm as she can stand, 5-10 minutes 2-4 times a day.

 

If she gets an upset stomach and doesn't want to eat from the antibiotics you can give her a over-the-counter people acid reducer like generic famotidine (Pepcid).