why do my puppies stiches look funny?
03 Mar 2010
my dog just got spayed about a week ago. We have been putting the cone on at night and when we can’t keep an eye on her during the day so that she won’t rip the stiches. When i went to check on the progress of healing, i noticed that the stiches seemed really dry and almost crusty, if this just some glue they put to hold the skin together? is it normal for the stiches to become dry and flaky? is there anyway i can treat this?
this is my first dog so i am not sure what to do 
thank you for all of your help!
Stiches should remain moist (not wet) while they are healing. That crusty stuff is typical and does not present any problems.
If however you wish to remove it. You can take a warm DAMP washcloth and hold it on the area for 5 minutes twice per day and it will moisten the area and the stuff will naturally slough off. No need to rub the area as you dont want to cause the stiches to break. But moisture applied will loosen it up.
4 Responses
2010 Mar 03
Yep, the skin is going to secrete a clear fluid during the healing process, which will sometimes become a little crusty. I wouldn’t worry about it unless you are noticing any green discharge or the suture site appears swollen.
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2010 Mar 03
call your vet just incause
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2010 Mar 03
Stiches should remain moist (not wet) while they are healing. That crusty stuff is typical and does not present any problems.
If however you wish to remove it. You can take a warm DAMP washcloth and hold it on the area for 5 minutes twice per day and it will moisten the area and the stuff will naturally slough off. No need to rub the area as you dont want to cause the stiches to break. But moisture applied will loosen it up.
References :
2010 Mar 03
Vets do two sets of stitches.
All patients have one set of absorbable stitches on the inside (which you can not see) and then another on the outside..the ones on the outside are not always absorbable. Some using glue at this point and some use staples.
It is normal to see crusties.
If you are concerned then a trip to see the vet is the bets thing you can do. We can not see all that is going on, even with description a vet will have a better idea based on see it.
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