what is the best way to remove surgery stitches from a female dog?
my dog was spayed 9 days ago. how as well as what is a most appropriate approach to mislay a operation stitchs, with a slightest volume of suffering for all involved.
If the vet didn’t tell you to bring her back, then just leave them there. They will eventually come out. Also, the dog may get sick of them and pull them out herself.
get cuticle clippers and cut them and then remove them by pulling. it will not hurt them you might have to tug a bit but i have removed all of my dogs stitches
by waiting at least two or three weeks, by then the wounds(many levels of skin and muscle involved) and then letting the VET remove them! otherwise you’ll have to take your pooch back to the vet anyhow,and she might be infected with something nasty cause you messed with your dog’s stitches…..(and it will be MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE…)
removing stitches is easy. Just cut below the knot and pull the stitch out with tweezers. If you do it yourself just be very careful not to leave any in or she could get an infection.
Most places that do surgery will remove the stitches for free. Or if you want to do it yourself and they are not metal thread, then have someone hold the dog on her back or up in the air where you can see the stitches. Snip them with the point of the scissors next to the knot from the stitch and work your way down the suture line. You might need to slightly lift up on the suture so you can get under it to remove them without snipping the dog. Then gently pull on the knot part to pull out the stitch. Do NOT use peroxide on the skin as this can slow healing. Wash off with warm soap and water after wards.
I’ve had to do this several times myself….don’t worry, there is no pain involved in removing sutures on your pet if you do it correctly.
I would reccommend using a thin pair of scissors and a good set of tweezers.
Simply pull very lightly on each individual stitch…you will see what looks like a "loop" with a knot at the top. Do not cut crossways and remove the knot…you could end up with suture silk under where you can’t get to it. Simply lift the stitch lightly, and cut the suture in half NEXT to the knot. Then grab the knot end and pull the non-knotted end out and all the way through. It’s very simple, and very painless as long as you don’t tug and do it gently. Be sure you have the thread completely severed though, without a good pair of surgical scissors it sometimes takes a little effort to cut all the way through.
To remove stitches take a small sharp pair of scissors, and pull the stitch up at the knot and just snip it off. then you can easily remove the cut ends of the stitches with out any pain to the dog. Be careful and don’t snip her skin though… Good Luck and thank you for getting her spayed
Some vets use stitches that dissolve, some don’t. I suggest you call your vet to find out what type were used. If they don’t dissolve, a return trip to the vet is called for. Usually stitch removal is free.
If you have no medical experience, I suggest you do not attempt to remove the stitches yourself. There is a proper way to remove them and if you do it incorrectly and leave some of the suture material in your dog, other problems will develop. Also, your dog will sense your nervousness over removing them and will not trust you enough to relax for the removal.
First of all 9 days is a little early to be taking sutures out. second of all, take your dog back to the vet where the surgery was done and have them removed there. That way the vet can check the incision and make sure it healed properly etc.
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Tags: stitchs
Comments: 28 comments
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hannah
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
take it back to the vet
littlebitomagic2000
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
with your teeth, followed by a nice tounge bath
shelsi
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
with your eyes open
sifuentes76
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
acid
pooteo1
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
just rip them out,
nah i have no idea, aren’t you supposed to go to the vet.cheapskate
UOPHXstudent
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Take ethe dog back to the vet for removal.
Most vets use desolving stiches that go away as the wound heals. They shoudl have told you what to do at the vet.
metalelf
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
If the vet didn’t tell you to bring her back, then just leave them there. They will eventually come out. Also, the dog may get sick of them and pull them out herself.
evasive_eyes
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
get cuticle clippers and cut them and then remove them by pulling. it will not hurt them you might have to tug a bit but i have removed all of my dogs stitches
KA
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Her stitches should dissolve by them self. They should not be removed. Check with your vet before doing anything.
bajaexplorer
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
i do have to agree, if you have to ask that question here, take it back to vet.
DO NOT LET THE DOG PULL THEM OUT HERSELF!
the stitches used for dogs will not dissolve and if the vet used the ones that will dont take your dog back to that vet.
Cotton Tablecloth
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Don’t do it yourself. Either leave them in or take the dog back to your vet.
renodogmom
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Have the vet do it.
Krissytina
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Shouldn’t you have a re-visit to the vet to have that done?
aprilc232
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I had my dog spayed and the stitches dissolved away. Check with your vet. Don’t try home "surgery" because you may make matters worse than they are.
marge S.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Your vet should remove them for free. Get a bath for your baby ASAP.
Claudia
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
the best way would be to let the vet do it!!!! don’t take your dog’s stiches out!
blkrose65
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
by waiting at least two or three weeks, by then the wounds(many levels of skin and muscle involved) and then letting the VET remove them! otherwise you’ll have to take your pooch back to the vet anyhow,and she might be infected with something nasty cause you messed with your dog’s stitches…..(and it will be MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE…)
limbodian
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
The same way you would remove them from a male dog silly…………..CALL THE DAMN VET!!!! DUMMY!!!!
mom1nrs2
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
removing stitches is easy. Just cut below the knot and pull the stitch out with tweezers. If you do it yourself just be very careful not to leave any in or she could get an infection.
cutiewitalldaanswers
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
If the Vet didn’t tell you to come back, the stitches may be the kind that dissolves, so don’t do anything.do anything.
bcringler
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Most places that do surgery will remove the stitches for free. Or if you want to do it yourself and they are not metal thread, then have someone hold the dog on her back or up in the air where you can see the stitches. Snip them with the point of the scissors next to the knot from the stitch and work your way down the suture line. You might need to slightly lift up on the suture so you can get under it to remove them without snipping the dog. Then gently pull on the knot part to pull out the stitch. Do NOT use peroxide on the skin as this can slow healing. Wash off with warm soap and water after wards.
Valerie L
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
I’ve had to do this several times myself….don’t worry, there is no pain involved in removing sutures on your pet if you do it correctly.
I would reccommend using a thin pair of scissors and a good set of tweezers.
Simply pull very lightly on each individual stitch…you will see what looks like a "loop" with a knot at the top. Do not cut crossways and remove the knot…you could end up with suture silk under where you can’t get to it. Simply lift the stitch lightly, and cut the suture in half NEXT to the knot. Then grab the knot end and pull the non-knotted end out and all the way through.
It’s very simple, and very painless as long as you don’t tug and do it gently. Be sure you have the thread completely severed though, without a good pair of surgical scissors it sometimes takes a little effort to cut all the way through. 
L. S.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
call your vet and ask if the stitches will disolve or require removal.
they should be able to answer your question.
if they require removal, you can either take your dog back (most places do not charge to remove stitches) or take them out yourself.
if you are not familiar with taking out stitches, then i would strongly suggest that you take the animal back to the vet for this procedure.
Jerrica
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
im guessing go back to the surgeon, like im sure they told you to do, and have them remove them safely.
unless you want to open the wound again, and let a nasty infection get in it, causing you more money.
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH
Just Me
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
To remove stitches take a small sharp pair of scissors, and pull the stitch up at the knot and just snip it off. then you can easily remove the cut ends of the stitches with out any pain to the dog. Be careful and don’t snip her skin though… Good Luck and thank you for getting her spayed
ilse72
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Some vets use stitches that dissolve, some don’t. I suggest you call your vet to find out what type were used. If they don’t dissolve, a return trip to the vet is called for. Usually stitch removal is free.
If you have no medical experience, I suggest you do not attempt to remove the stitches yourself. There is a proper way to remove them and if you do it incorrectly and leave some of the suture material in your dog, other problems will develop. Also, your dog will sense your nervousness over removing them and will not trust you enough to relax for the removal.
robug
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
your vet
leftygirl_75
August 12th, 2009 at 6:49 am
First of all 9 days is a little early to be taking sutures out. second of all, take your dog back to the vet where the surgery was done and have them removed there. That way the vet can check the incision and make sure it healed properly etc.
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