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It’s understandable to feel concerned after your dog gets out of surgery, and they have what looks like a zipper running through a shaved patch of fur. Those are sutures, or dog stitches, and they play a critical role in closing wounds, promoting healing, and preventing infection. Every suture also has a story about the type of needle, filament, and technique used. While they may initially appear unsightly, you can rest assured that they’re helping your dog recover.
“The only thing you should need to worry about is whether or not your dog’s stitches need to be removed and when,” says Dr. Brittney Nguyen, DVM and emergency veterinarian at VEG ER for Pets, an emergency vet in Pleasant Hill, CA. “Never be afraid to double-check with your vet if your dog’s stitches/wound is healing correctly. If you’re unsure, take many pictures to track healing and email/text these images to your vet.”
Your veterinarian will offer all the information you need to care for your dog during their recovery and work to reduce the risk of complications. You may still be curious about how dog stitches work, and when different kinds of stitches are used, and want a better understanding of the process. If you have specific questions, always be sure to ask your veterinarian.
Dog Stitches: The Basics
Needles
Your dog’s surgeon will consider many things when suturing an open wound or surgical incision. The type of needle used, for example, will largely depend on the operation’s site.
“Types of needles include taper needles and reverse-cutting needles, [both of] which are the most common types used. The difference between the two is that the taper needles puncture tissue to anchor the suture rather than cut into it,” Dr. Nguyen shares. “For example, we would use a taper needle on internal organs, as they are more fragile and the reverse-cutting on skin because it is tougher and more difficult to puncture.”
Threads
Another consideration is the filament or “thread” used for the sutures themselves. The type of filament chosen will depend on how long the stitches must last and where in the body they’ll be located. The surgeon may use monofilament, a single string attached to a needle. There’s also braided filament, which is multiple threads woven together. The threads create tension to close certain types of wounds.
“[Braided filament] also creates crevices that make it easier to wick fluid/infection into wounds. This is why these are not commonly used,” Dr. Nguyen says. “99% of the time, your doctor will be using monofilament sutures.”
Dissolvability
Dissolvability is another factor when closing an incision or wound. A veterinarian would use dissolvable sutures when repairing blood vessels or an internal organ, for instance. Non-dissolvable stitches remain outside of the body, allowing the veterinarian to assess how the incision is healing and monitor for infection.
Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding dog stitches, including whether they need any specialized care or follow-up appointments.
Different Types of Sutures for Different Situations
Sutures may be used in all kinds of different scenarios. The kind of suture will depend on the situation. Things that often require sutures include, but are not limited to:
- Routine spaying and neutering procedures
- Wound repair, including lacerations and punctures
- Gastrointestinal surgery, such as gastropexy (a surgery intended to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus by stitching the stomach to the abdominal wall or diaphragm)
- Orthopedic surgery, such as torn ligament repair
- Cesarean sections (C-sections)
- Skin grafts
- Tumor or mass removal
Dr. Nguyen shares another use for sutures in dogs: ensuring medical devices remain secure.
“Some bandages are sutured to the skin to keep them from falling off. Surgical drains can also be sutured to the skin, so they stay in place,” she explains. “It’s difficult to get an animal to leave an object that is meant to be attached to them long-term. We can’t tell them they need it and to leave it alone, so we suture it in place.”
What to Expect When Your Dog Gets Sutures
Suturing a wound is a multi-faceted process that, above all else, aims to promote your dog’s health and well-being. First, the surgeon will weigh whether it’s best to apply a local anesthetic around the affected area or put your dog under heavy sedation with the help of anesthetic gas and intubation.
“Many [procedures] can be done with heavy sedation and local anesthetic – but this of course depends on the extent of the wound,” Dr. Nguyen says.
Then, the veterinarian will shave the fur around the wound, cleaning it with a surgical scrub to create a sterile environment and reduce the risk of infection. If the area around the wound is contaminated, the surgical team will flush it with saline or antiseptic. From there, the surgeon will proceed based on the circumstances.
“Depending on how deep the wound is, multiple layers of sutures can be used – sutures placed under the skin and sutures placed on top of the skin to add strength to the wound repair. Sometimes, parts of wounds are left open to allow the drainage of fluid.” Dr. Nguyen says.
Your dog’s aftercare instructions may include applying warm or cold compresses to encourage drainage or using topical ointments to keep the area clean.
“Every wound is different, so your veterinarian should always give you instructions on how to care for the wound at home. They are your best resource for questions about healing afterward,” Dr. Nguyen says.
Sutures vs. Staples in Dogs: What’s the Difference?
While sutures and staples are two methods of closing wounds, there are some distinct differences. For starters, sutures are seen as a more customizable option than staples, as the thread has more dexterity than the rigid, metal staples. Stitches can also be used both inside and outside of the body. While some specialized staples can be used inside the body, they’re not as common as typical staples, which are used externally.
“Staples are much faster, but more crude – good to use if time is a factor and a patient needs to be recovered from anesthesia sooner rather than later,” Dr. Nguyen explains. “We typically only see staples as a method to close surgical incisions now – and even then, only if we have to. It is not the most desirable method to close an incision because staples are not as comfortable for the patient as sutures and can get caught on things and get pulled out.”
When to Wear an E-Collar After Getting Stitches
Throughout the recovery period for dog stitches, they should wear an Elizabethan collar (also known as a cone or E-collar) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until one to two days after their stitches are removed.
“We all know the cone is very cumbersome, but strict use for the recommended healing time will prevent really serious complications, such as infection, dehiscence (opening) of the wound, and further scarring. Even if your pet licks at the wound for a couple of seconds, the sutures can wick bacteria into the skin and seed infection,” Dr. Nguyen says.
You may also elect to have your dog wear a surgical suit during their recovery period, but Dr. Nguyen shares that there are some disadvantages when compared to the cone.
“Surgical suits that cover the wound area do exist but are not always a good replacement for the cone because these suits can cause friction over the stitches and loosen/tug on them,” she says. “It also blocks visualization of the wound if pet parents aren’t taking them off regularly to check on them.”
Other considerations to keep dog stitches safe include keeping them indoors, limiting their interactions with other dogs (who may lick the wound), and completing their prescribed antibiotic regimen.
“Treat it like any other wound that you, as a person, would have: follow your doctor’s instructions, keep it clean, dry, and don’t bother it,” Dr. Nguyen advises.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.