Surgical Wound Healing

[macoduck]

Possum joined us last month at 9.5 years old. The original owner dumped him at another greyhound rescue group near ours. I'm guessing the owner was too embarrassed to let our group see the result of their neglect. GFNC got Possum back and after surgery and a long period of healing, he was ready for a home with us.

 

Possum had a softball sized nerve sheath tumor on his leg. The area is completely healed. Because such a large area was involved, the skin is really stretched tight and hard. Hard isn't really the best description - it's just not flexy like the other normal skin on him. He has no discomfort from it and doesn't try to lick it.

 

I worry that one bad crash while he's running like a fool will split that skin open.

 

What kind of lotion or salve can I put on the scar to make it soft?

 

[Tallgreydogmom]

^{I use Scarlet Oil on the kids wounds to help them heal. I'm not sure what it would do with that wound.}

[tbhounds]

Scar tissue is pretty tough. Down the road he could have a further surgery to reduce the amount of scar tissue but, honestly I think that would just be for cosmetic reasons. I guess to keep the skin supple you could use a topical cream -bag balm or utter butter??

[macoduck]

I just started using this:

http://www.eqyss.com/pet_premier_spray1.asp After a few days I'm not seeing any big changes but I'll continue with it unless y'all have other suggestions.

Hmmm, I hadn't thought about bag balm or udder butter.

[TheFullHouse]

Bag Balm was going to be my suggestion, Ducky.

[Remolacha]

another vote here for Bag Balm. I have a (human) friend who used it on scar tissue and it did help make it more supple, so I am guessing it would do the same for a dog. It did take a few weeks to see results.

[KF_in_Georgia]

Ask a pharmacist or your vet. There's a cream called Mederma that's used to soften scars and reduce stretch marks on people. It might be very helpful for Possum, although you want to make sure the ingredients won't be a problem if he licks.

[misspiggy]

http://ninjakiwi.com/Games/Tower-Defense/Play/Bloons-Tower-Defense-5.htmlitamin E break open a tablet and massage into scar

Not sure what happened Use Vitamin E

[Houndmommy03]

Emu Oil - used it during my radiation and my skin didn't get weird. It says it is for scars as well.

[galgrey]

You've gotten good advice from the others. I just wanted to say that Possum is adorable in that chair. Thank goodness you two found each other.

[kudzu]

Cocoa butter has been used for scar tissue for a long time. It works well.

[FountainLady]

I agree with using Bag Balm for this.

[macoduck]

I ended up getting the Bag Balm. So far he hasn't tried to lick it.