Both my dogs had surgery this year! Walter went through an epic lumpectomy, and Herschel just wrapped up two weeks of recovery after his neuter. We are so grateful both of these surgeries are behind us!
Having multiple surgeries was like a master class in how to make sure your dog’s sutures are protected and don’t get infected! A tee worked great for Walter, but the suitical did not work for Hersch…at all!
Here are various ways that you can protect your dog’s sutures post-surgery:
1. Keep your dog indoors:
Limit your dog’s movement post-surgery. Keep them indoors for the first few days following the surgery to prevent any accidental injuries. This is really important in the first 48 hours.
Everything is healing and you really want your dog to stay calm and relaxed. Only leash walks are allowed, and this may mean a conversation with your vet about a sedative. We used Trazadone with Herschel every 12 hours, and I was grateful to have that on board. We used gabapentin with Walter.
2. Use an Elizabethan collar or soft collar:
An Elizabethan collar (also known as a cone collar) will prevent your dog from licking or biting its sutures. This can be especially important if your dog is prone to chewing or licking their wounds. We had both dogs wear this collar at night.
If you’re home during the day (try to be for a few days if you can!), then you can monitor and give your dog a cone break or use the soft collar. Both dogs did much better and weren’t depressed with the soft collar. I trained Herschel to wear this for many weeks beforehand. This was instrumental in having a collar on for long periods of time! Walter is a senior and has a lot of experience wearing soft collars.
3. Monitor your dog’s behavior:
Keep a watchful eye on your dog’s behavior and movements. If you notice anything unusual, such as excessive scratching or rubbing of the wound, speak to your veterinarian immediately.
If the e-collar is the only way to avoid accidents, then use it even if you’re sitting next to your dog. I got lucky as the sedatives I used took the edge off, and neither dog wanted to lick or itch to the point where they needed the soft collar during the day.
With that in mind, never leave your dog unsupervised with that soft or Elizabethan collar – that means even if you run to use the bathroom!
4. Avoid bathing your dog:
Avoid giving your dog a bath until the sutures have healed. Bathing your dog may cause damage to the sutures and disrupt the healing process. Always ask your vet about using wound repair solutions or whether you need to check the sutures and clean the area surrounding these. If you need to use this in the beginning, find out what works best and ask them to tell you what to purchase and how to use it.
5. Keep your dog’s surrounding clean:
Keep your dog’s environment clean and free of debris that may irritate the wound or cause an infection. One way to keep the sutures clean is to have a suitical or tee on your dog. The suiticals are wonderful as they snap in place and keep the area ‘sterile’ as it doesn’t get exposed to towels, carpets, and blankets. If you live with a dog like Herschel that does not enjoy a tight-fitting suitical then try a simple tee shirt. and then tie it in a knot (think 80s) when they need to go potty outside. You can also use pee pads as the layer under your dog and replace them when they get dirty.
6. Provide a clean and comfortable recovery space:
Ensure that your dog has a clean and comfortable recovery space to rest in. Make sure the bed is free of any sharp edges that may damage the sutures. You can also add a few gates or X-pens around the area so they can rest in a small area while you get work done.
7. Reduce activity:
Reduce your dog’s activity level during the recovery period. Excessive running, jumping, and playing can interfere with healing. This is where sedatives come into play. If this feels like an impossible task and keeping your dog calm isn’t do-able after the first few days you’re home, ask your vet about post-op sedatives.
WARNING: graphic pic. This is a pic of Hersch as he was almost 14 days post-neuter. His suture site is less inflamed, the incision area is healing nicely, and everything looks good.
This was given the a-ok by our vet.
8. Follow medication instructions:
Follow your veterinarian’s prescribed medication schedule to prevent inflammation, pain, and infection. If you feel like you need more NSAIDs like carprofen or your dog is having any issues, always follow up with your vet. You can send them pics! Always finish the entire treatment plan of medications unless you notice GI upset. Call your vet!
9. Check the wound regularly:
Check the wound regularly for any signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or odor. These symptoms may indicate an infection, and prompt attention to a vet is necessary. You need to check the wound site at least once a day.
10. Attend follow-up appointments:
Suture removal and regular follow-up appointments ensure proper wound healing and prevent future complications. If your dog is like Herschel and doesn’t love his vet visits, talk to your vet about your options for follow-up. If the sutures are dissolvable, you should ask your vet about sending pics instead of an in-person visit.
I hope this is helpful! Surgery is scary for pet owners, and it’s better to be prepared and to understand what post-op looks like for you and your pup. Post-op is a big job, and it’s great if you can take a few days off after their surgery to make sure your daily routine is working and your pup is calm so they can heal.