Like a responsible college student (at least for my dog) I took her in to get fixed well over a month ago. I check on her stiches now and again. Today I noticed that they were still in there. Is this normal.
I was unpleased with the veterenarians approch to informing me of aftercare.
While I an medically inept, I do know there are different types of stitches (dissolving etc)
I was not asked for a followup, I was not given correct instructions for aftercare except 9she can lick at it but not too much.
talking to people, it may seem and though I may have to take her back in to get the stitches moved.
I heard conflicting reports and I turn to my lifeline, the dope.
What’s the dope on dog stiches (in particuler my dog!)
wow,ya know, with no sarcasm intended, and completely unknowingly, my bad taste they left in my mouth still is bitter. I’ve been right A LOT before over something that a professional said when they had told me something, the dopers posted citations supporting my claim and they were right…
I just had minor questions and I thought it may be answered by past experiences of others.
I don’t know if it’s typical, but we were told our dog had dissolving stitches. I could still feel them in there two months after. I’m not sure when the feeling went away but it did, and she’s had several vet visits since and they never said anything.
Dissolving stitches still take time to completely disappear (around 2 months in some cases). Even unabsorbable sutures eventually go away and break down, but those take even longer.
Are you talking about stitches that you can see on the skin? Those should’ve been taken out around 10 days post-surgery.
If you mean stitches that you can feel under the skin (but not see), let them be, they’ll scar up and go away on their own. If you were not given a date to return to have the stitches removed, you most likely have intradermal stitches, but I cannot tell since I have not seen your dog.
If you feel any bump, redness, inflammation in the area, or are concerned about it, talk with a vet and take the pet there.
Really, not to be mean, but I second what Tapioca said. Post op care and check ups is something that should’ve been easily explained in any veterinary clinic. Your question is simple enough to have been answered with no problem by the vet (or even a tech).
If I say I’m a vet, will that be cite enough for you?
I had my dog fixed about a month ago, I took her back a week after the procedure to have the stitches removed. I noticed a few days later the vet forgot one, I used a pair of nail clippers to remove it.
Yep, I’d be cool with that. No matter what type of material was used to close the skin, after a couple of weeks you can remove it. (assuming the dog is not on any medications that slow healing)
just got off the phone with the vet…
I’m livid! She had the procedure over a month ago. I asked what the standard was for removal of stitches. he said 6-12 days.
(They’re external stitches btw)
He gave his ‘oops!’ it should have been on the receipt too. I told him that he failed to give me a receipt (the truth) he actually waved at me when i gave him the ‘anything else’ glance and asked if there was anything to sign. he said no, I left with my pup. Same guy I talked to today.
I ALSO asked the vet about aftercare and she made no mention of anything about the stitches, only about her licking the area.
He told me to bring her in when I can and they’ll take care of it… I’m about to get in the car now and not to return there ever again… without a lawyer, at least.
Thank you for all your help… I hope it didn’t cause her discomfort!
definitely look for another vet. where is it written we shouldn’t? we shop for our human medical professionals, don’t we? we should for our pets as well.
i went through two other vets before i have the one i have now.
Just curious, you were treated by two different vets, one male, one female?
Usually there is nothing to sign. And no after care really, other than not letting the animal lick the incision, and bringing the animal back for suture removal (if it’s skin suture).
Whatever discomfort the stitches caused, it was mostly during the first few days, when they were needed.
You probably don’t need to bother taking her in if there’s no real problem. If she’s calm about it and you can trust her not to squirm, or have someone to hold her, you can just nip them with a pair of nail clippers or small scissors, then pull out the loose ends. There’s no real trick to it.
ETA: Just realized that was posted yesterday… whoops!
, I read it as a technician/receptionist (male) and a veterinarian (female).