Stitches in for a year after spay surgery?

Hello there! It sounds like you’ve got a concerning situation with your pet's stitches from the spay surgery. Generally, sutures from surgery are either absorbable and dissolve on their own or non-absorbable and need to be removed within a couple of weeks. Having stitches in for a year is unusual and could potentially lead to some irritation or infection at the incision site.



There are a few possibilities here. It could be that the stitches weren't actually meant to be permanent and were somehow missed or that the non-absorbable sutures need removal. Your pet’s body may also have a reaction to certain types of sutures, causing issues if left too long.



At home, keep a close eye on the incision area for signs of redness, swelling, or discharge, which could indicate an infection. It's also important to monitor your pet’s behavior for any unusual signs like excessive licking, discomfort, or lethargy.



Given the circumstances, I’d recommend setting up a video consult with one of our Dial A Vet professionals. They can provide you with more specific guidance and help determine whether a prompt visit to your local veterinary clinic is necessary for further evaluation or removal of the stitches.