Are my dog's stitches healing okay?

Thanks for reaching out with your concern. It's important to keep an eye on your dog's stitches to ensure proper healing. Normally, stitches should appear clean with minimal swelling around the incision. A small amount of redness and swelling in the first few days is expected, but this should gradually decrease.



Healthy stitches should hold the incision together without gaps, and your dog should not be excessively licking or chewing at the area. To help the healing process at home, ensure the incision stays clean and dry. You might consider using an Elizabethan collar (also known as a "cone") to prevent your pup from interfering with the stitches.



However, there are some signs that may suggest a problem. If you notice increasing redness, swelling, or discharge (particularly if it's yellow or green), if there's a foul odor, or if your dog seems to be in pain when the area is touched, these could indicate an infection or other complication. Also, any gaps in the incision or stitches coming loose would warrant immediate attention.



If you're seeing any of these warning signs, or if you're simply unsure about the appearance of the stitches, I recommend scheduling a video consult with one of our vets at Dial A Vet. We're here to help ensure your pup's recovery is smooth and healthy!