How long after stitches Can I bathe my dog? Surprising Answer

Dogs get messy sometimes, whether recovering from surgery or otherwise. If something happens that makes cleaning your pet absolutely vital, consult your vet regarding the matter before you do anything. She might suggest that you clean him using a soap-free shampoo made specifically for canines, for example. If you do use an alternative type of shampoo on your pet, be cautious. Do not get soap or soapless pet cleaner near the incision site.

Protecting your dogs stitches during recovery goes beyond just keeping your pooch out of the bathtub and rain. Its also important to help your dog heal by not permitting him to partake in vigorous exercise. Dont allow him to partake in jumping, running, swimming or playing with fellow pets during recovery. These things can lead to problems such as swelling. Your recovering pet can receive exercise, however, by going on brief walks, as long as hes properly leashed at all times. If you have any concerns about your pets exercise needs and requirements following his surgery, call your veterinarian immediately. Notify your veterinarian as soon as possible if you ever notice any problems with your pets incision, too, whether swelling, discharge, irritation or anything else out of the ordinary.

After your dogs surgery, the staff at the veterinary clinic should provide you detailed instructions for properly caring for your healing pooch. These guidelines generally include information on everything from feeding to physical activity. They also typically indicate a suitable time for bathing your pet again; if they dont, feel confident enough to ask. The ASPCA urges owners to avoid bathing their post-surgery pets for a minimum of 10 days; other authorities suggest a minimum of 14 days. If you have any specific questions regarding when to bathe your dog after his surgery, consult your veterinarian.

Getting your pets stitches wet while hes still recovering from surgery can be dangerous. It can open up his incisions, greatly slowing progress in recovery. Water is capable of making stitches less tight. Its also capable of bringing bacteria into your dogs wounds. Keep your precious pet on the right track to recovery by making sure hes always dry as can be after surgery. Since licking can get your pets stitches wet, its important to make sure he refrains from doing so. Elizabethan collars or E-collars, — neck cones — which are available at veterinary clinics, can generally prevent dogs from chewing on or licking their incisions. Talk to your veterinarian about buying one of these helpful devices for your healing cutie, and enlist the vets assistance in fitting the device.

When your four-legged buddy comes home from surgery, your task as a responsible owner is to make sure his recovery goes as smoothly as possible. This entails following the veterinarians instructions to a T. If your dog just had surgery and has stitches over his incisions, keep him away from water for a while.

Are there different methods of closing a surgical incision?

Yes. If a surgical incision extends through several layers of tissue, each layer will be closed separately. Therefore, there may be multiple rows of sutures (stitches) in a single incision site. The surface or skin layer of your dogs surgical incision may have been closed with surgical glue, sutures, or staples. The suture pattern that is used to close the skin depends on the length of the incision and how much tension is present across the incision, or on the preference of the surgeon.

The stitches may be placed on the skin surface or they may be buried beneath the skin surface using absorbable suture material.

If the surgical procedure involved removal of a large mass, repair of a large wound, or debridement (cutting away) of infected or dead tissue, the resulting loss of tissue may mean that the surgical incision is under a lot of tension. Excessive tension across an incision line may cause the wound to gape open and will delay healing. To minimize the tension on the incision line, your veterinarian may have used a special tension-relieving suture pattern or a type of skin suture called a stent suture where some tubing or a button may be added to the skin layer. If the surgical site was contaminated or infected before surgery, a surgical drain may have been placed within the incision to drain away any infectious material.

Grooming dog after surgery

If your dog likes to roll over in something unpleasant after surgery before bathing, wipe him with a wet towel or dog wipe. Be careful not to approach the surgical incision site.

Don’t allow your dog to bathe until the veterinarian permits. If you want to clean your dog, don’t immerse him in water for 10 to 14 days after surgery.

If the surgical incision is very dirty, you can gently clean the area with cotton and water without soaking the sutures. Don’t water the stitches and gently touch or rub the surgical incision site.

When your dog can’t bathe, use a damp cloth to keep his face clean in the first few days after surgery. Some dogs have very messy faces, and their faces should be cleaned after each meal. Pay attention to your dog’s eyes; If dirt or foreign particles accumulate in it, clean his eyes without immersing them in water.

Your dog may want to lick the surgical incision. This licking helps reduce pain and kill bacteria. But also, licking the surgical incision can open bacteria from your dog’s mouth into the wound. So don’t let your dog lick the incision.

If you use the collar so that your dog doesn’t lick the incision, he may lick other parts such as his paws or feet; Because it has easy access to them. Then wipe these areas with a damp cloth or a wipe to keep them clean after licking.

How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?

We discourage putting your dog in a bath or shower until he is allowed to return to normal activity. If he/she is starting to smell you can use waterless shampoo wipes or some other waterless shampoo. These are readily available at pet supply stores.