Tracey Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 (edited) I'm not going to do it, but I've seen stitches removed before; it always looks pretty simple. I keep staring at Reggie's stitches (on his shoulder), which were good to come out as of 3 days ago. We don't have an appointment to get them out for 3 more days. So in the meantime I keep looking at them and thinking 'I bet I could do this myself.' I won't, but just wondered if anyone else has? Update: I have removed all but one. Thankfully I had muzzled Reggie because he snapped when I was looking at it to see where to cut. It seems that the stitch is embedded in a scab. I thought maybe if I could soften the area up it would be easier to remove the stitch, so I put some Neosporin on it. I thought I'd try again on that one in a few hours. Any additional advice for difficult stitches is welcomed! Final update: I tried again last night and Reggie did not want to let me near the last stitch on his shoulder at all. I asked Jenn (GiJenn) if maybe it wasn't "ripe" yet and I should wait, but she said it might get harder with time, not easier. So I had DH restrain him and was able to get the last stitch out of his shoulder. He also had two under his eye that I was saving for last; given their location I was kind of nervous about removing them. But as you all said, easy peasy! Thanks for the encouragement, guys! I know it's silly, but I kind of feel like I learned a new skill. Edited November 9, 2010 by Tracey Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamsmom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 It's easy! Get yourself a pair of tweezers and a pair of hair scissors with pointy ends. Then just hold up one side and clip, use the tweezers to gently tug the stitch out. Go ahead, you can do it. Quote ~Beth, with a crazy mixed crew of misfits.~ Forever and Always missing and loving Steak, Carmen, Ivy, Isis, and Madi.Don't cry because it's ended, Smile because it happened.Before you judge me, try to keep an open mind, not everyone likes your taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycezmom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 We do it all the time. Easypeasy 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 mhall Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 It's easy! Get yourself a pair of tweezers and a pair of hair scissors with pointy ends. Then just hold up one side and clip, use the tweezers to gently tug the stitch out. Go ahead, you can do it. Yep! We removed Em's spay stiches the day she came home. Super easy, and less stressful for all involved than going to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Yep, I have, but I was trained as an animal nurse (when that's what we were called ). The trick is to cut each stitch as near to the skin as possible on one side of the wound, before you pull it out, because you don't want to be dragging a lot of the outside part of the stitch inside the wound as you remove it. And if the wound looks at all puffy, or pink, or damp, don't do it. I have seen an apparently healed wound 'unzip' as soon as the stitches were taken out. It is very rare, but it can happen. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Yep. Do it whenever I need to, even though our vet doesn't charge extra for it. Just means I don't have to schedule another visit for something so simple. I was worried the first time, but it really is easy. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 YUP! From hounds and kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 I've done a bunch and have found it is the easiest to use those little fingernail clippers. You can turn that edge up under the corner and snip easier than scissors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Yep on my dogs and on myself. Weird little pulling sensation when you do it on yourself. Go for it Tracey, you can do it and you won't hurt the dog. He will likely thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cyndiandsaoirse Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Yes- it's really easy on greys, because they are so good about being worked on. Have him lay down on his bed or the rug, and give him a good tummy rub. Go slowly, you're not going to hurt him unless the skin is attached. You can tell as you start to pull- if it isn't coming out very easily, try it from the other side. Be patient, and give him lots of rubs and "good boys". You'll be surprised how quickly you can do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Another vote for doing it if you're sure the wound is healed. Like someone else said, easy peasy. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixidoll Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Have removed stitches on my kids, husband, myself, and the dogs. Just make sure they have been in the correct amount of time to heal. Easily done as the earlier posts have said . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 8, 2010 Share Posted November 8, 2010 Uhm, yeah, and it's as simple as it looks! And I'd do it again! When I was about 13, I took stitches out of my horse's jaw. It was WAY easier than trying to hold him for the vet, who he was TERRIFIED of. Went nuts just seeing the vet's truck! Took about 30 seconds total. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepsi2004 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 (edited) Yes, have removed them from dogs and horses. It really is as easy as Beth indicated. Sometimes, a stitch may feel caught - it's just the fact that there is a small scab or whatever.Just give it a little stronger tug. It really does not bother the critters at all!! Edited November 9, 2010 by Pepsi2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 yep. lots of times (I'm not making a 45 minute trip across town to remove stitches!). Just snip and pull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Yep, I don't think I've ever taken one back to have stitches removed. Even removed stitches from Kevin's head! Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Most detinitely! A lot in humans, kids included, when I worked ER and Fast Trak, and also at the vet in Florida. EASY really! I have also removed staples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 Update: I have removed all but one. Thankfully I had muzzled Reggie because he snapped when I was looking at it to see where to cut. It seems that the stitch is embedded in a scab. I thought maybe if I could soften the area up it would be easier to remove the stitch, so I put some Neosporin on it. I thought I'd try again on that one in a few hours. Any additional advice for difficult stitches is welcomed! Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 That's the trick, once the scab is softened you'll be able to remove the stitch. It may pull a little but shouldn't be bad. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GiJenn51 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 A warm moist compress will work a little better. It'll come right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sighthounds4me Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Warm compress. Maybe a little peroxide to loosen the scab. Quote Sarah, the human, Henley, and Armani the Borzoi boys, and Brubeck the Deerhound.Always in our hearts, Gunnar, Naples the Greyhounds, Cooper and Manero, the Borzoi, and King-kitty, at the Rainbow Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Removed a lot of stitches in my time, both on my own animals and others. Nothing to it - except the time I had to remove stitches from the inside of a finger on my right hand (and I'm right handed) - that one was tricky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey Posted November 9, 2010 Author Share Posted November 9, 2010 Final update: I tried again last night and Reggie did not want to let me near the last stitch on his shoulder at all. I asked Jenn (GiJenn) if maybe it wasn't "ripe" yet and I should wait, but she said it might get harder with time, not easier. So I had DH restrain him and was able to get the last stitch out of his shoulder. He also had two under his eye that I was saving for last; given their location I was kind of nervous about removing them. But as you all said, easy peasy! Thanks for the encouragement, guys! I know it's silly, but I kind of feel like I learned a new skill. Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmcd7 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 I'm an RN. Soften with peroxide, wigglw it with tweezers, then cut just above the knot, pull knot with tweezers, should come right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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