What should I do if my dog is licking his wound or chewing the stitches?
In the first few days after surgery, your dog may instinctively try to clean the operation site by licking. The incision may become itchy as the wound heals and the fur begins to grow back in. Your dog may respond to this itchiness by licking or chewing. It is a misconception that dogs saliva is somehow antibacterial or will promote healing of a wound.
If your dog chews or licks excessively, there is a danger of the stitches being pulled out or of infection being introduced into the wound. If your dog persists in licking its incision, you may have to purchase an Elizabethan collar to prevent this behavior (see handout “Elizabethan Collars in Dogs” for more information). Not surprisingly, many dogs find these collars strange at first and will attempt to remove them. However, after a short period most pets will settle down and tolerate wearing the collar. It is better to keep the collar on all the time, rather than to take it on and off. It only takes a few seconds of chewing for a dog to undo his stitches or damage the surgery site. If your dog does succeed in removing any of its stitches then please call your veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
Caring For the Stitches
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1 Schedule the surgery when you can be at home. Unless the surgery is emergency
What to Do When Your Dog Has an Open Wound
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The days and weeks directly following your dog’s surgery can be a time of mixed emotions – you’re relieved the actual procedure is over, but you know you’re not necessarily out of the woods just yet. As your dog recovers, there’s always a risk that their surgical incision will reopen, become infected, or won’t heal correctly.
The good news is that with proper post-surgical care on your part, these risks decrease greatly. We hope these tips will help.