Author Topic: Summers Stitches  (Read 1233 times)

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Offline wend

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Summers Stitches
« on: March 20, 2008, 11:00:37 PM »
As some of you know Summer had surgery on Sunday to remove some plastic stuck in her intestines. She's doing well and seems quite happy, however I'm concerned about her stitches. The actual stitches look fine but the area around it is really swollen and quite hard to touch, it doesn't look bruised, is this normal?

Cazzie

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2008, 11:02:54 PM »
Sounds pretty normal to me around a new wound  :D  But just keep an eye on the swelling  ;) What beautiful doggies you have, hope she is back to normal soon  :luv:

Offline wend

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2008, 11:29:20 PM »
Do you think, it looks and feels like there's a big fat sausage under the skin (don't really know how else to describe it) but it is bigger than yesterday.

Offline Nicola

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2008, 11:32:18 PM »
Does it feel hot to the touch? Is it tender (beyond what you would expect with a surgical wound I mean)? I know Rodaidh is tender on his actual wound from his op cos he bumped it on the side of the crate yesterday and yelped but I can touch the area around it and he doesn't react. His scar is slightly swollen even now a week later and looks red and raised up but not to the extent you're describing although again it was a different procedure in a different area.
Nicola, Tilly, Rodaidh and Caoimhe x



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Offline wend

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2008, 11:37:24 PM »
It doesn't feel hot and its not even red, just normal skin colour really. It does seem a bit tender but not too bad. I'll see if its any bigger in the morning and possibly speak to the vet if need be.

Offline Karma

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2008, 09:04:13 AM »


The things to be worried about would be looking very red or weepy, if the skin cells were inflammed (this would be obvious as it would look almost blistered, but still solid), or if it was abnormally tender or the area is hot.
Is she on any anti-inflammatories?  Honey was after her spay, but the wound was still a little swollen - made to look worse by the fact that there was no fur to soften the lines of her tummy - for a day or so afterwards.  Rapidly increasing swelling would be a different matter, as this could imply some internal bleeding - though this would also cause serious pain to the touch.
After what you've just gone through, it's a well to be cautious, and if you are in any doubt, do speak to your vet - after all following your instinct was what caught the problem in good time!  ;)
Hope Summer continues to recover well!  :luv:
Remembering Honey. Aug 2007-July 2020

Offline Annette

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Re: Summers Stitches
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2008, 11:25:15 AM »
How is it looking this morning?

There is a danger of a haematoma forming (a bruise, really).

If in doubt ring the vet, but you could try taking a photo and posting it on here.