Suture reaction from neuter done 4 weeks ago?!!?!?!

[Kristine and Charlie]

Charlie was neutered 4 weeks ago and he had no problems with it healing perfect.  We kept the cone on him for 2 weeks and when we took him in for the follow-up the vet said everything looked fine.  He hasn't been messing with that area any more than normal.  Today we noticed it was raised, red and oozing a little so I took him in and the vet said it looked like his body was reacting to the suture (a disolvable stich).  He then shaved around it, squeezed out some blood/puss and wiped it clean with some antiseptic.  He said put the cone back on and give him oral antibiotics for 2 weeks.  I feel so bad that Charlie has to wear the cone of shame again!  The vet also said to come back in 10 days to see how it looks...they may have to sedate him and put in a real stitch if it still isn't healing.  This better not happen!  It just seems odd to me that the incison healed fine with no complications and 4 weeks later all of a sudden a reaction to the suture?  Anyone have this happen to their doodle?????

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

No we didn't have this happen.  I would get a second opinion & why not just give him real stitches now?

[Helen]

We did on Chester, he only had one descended testicle and they had to do a few extra internal stitches and he has one that has never dissolved.  He has a white lump, with the stitch still inside.  The vet is not worried and says they will tidy it up if he ever has to be sedated for anything else.

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

It had been a while since Sadie had been spayed and it looked pink and raised. It got worse looking and it turned out that stitches worked their way to the surface. The vet removed them and we used an antiseptic and antibiotic ointment.
The vet said its not uncommon.

[Rory]

I had the exact same thing happen to Yetti when she was spayed. It sucked!!! And it got a bit worse before it got better, but it was pretty much healed after about 10-12 days. I kept the area clean and put on antibiotic cream at first, and later a bit of betadine. Just make sure they make a note in his chart what kind of sutures he is reacting to, so if he ever needs them again, they know which kind not to use.

 

It is not all that uncommon, don't worry too much, just keep an eye on it.

[Sue Robin F]

Hi,

I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Two of my dogs are rescued goldendoodles. One will be 7 years old in March the other one is still a puppy. He, 'Zebe', Zebedee,just turned 8 months today.

    Zebe was neutered 8 days ago. At first it looked red and swollen, however now it looks less red.
I have not had the same problem yet youare having, but it has only been a day over a week.

   Good luck with Charlie. I hopeit heals fine.

Sue

[Jennifer & Kai]

Yes, my Kai was operated on but never wore the cone...he didn't bother with the area...he reacted to the disolvable stitch also. The outter layer of skin was healing fine but then the underneath where the disolvable stitch was became a little infected.   My vet removed that stitch...and all was fine. She used a glue to hold the skin together so it could heal.   I just had to make sure Kai didn't mess with it..He probably had it taken out about the 6th week. He did great afterwards.  Good luck...

[Kristine and Charlie]

Wow...I can't believe Kai never messed with the incision.  Charlie goes right for it and licks it.  I usually catch him right away so I'm not sure what kind of 'damage' he would do.  It's impossible to watch day and night so I have to keep the cone on him.  He looks so sad with it on.  :(  So was it six weeks after the neuter that it got infected?  Or did you (or vet) noticed a bump after the neuter (or at 2 week follow-up?) and it just wasn't infected until six weeks later?  I'm wondering if something was missed when we went in for our follow-up 2 weeks ago.  Or why my vet didn't just take the stitch out today if Charlie is rejecting it.  It would seem the same thing is going to happen and we will be in the same boat two weeks from now.  (btw, did Kai have to take antibiotics?)  I was in a bit of a hurry when we went in today so I didn't think of all of this until after leaving the vet.  I will call tomorrow to ask them the same thing and to make sure they put a note in his chart.  Thanks for all of your help....it seems I worry about Charlie as much as my kids!

[Carol Hanr]

This happened to my Buttercup and LuLu (golden doodle) when they were spayed. It did heal on its own.  Willows(Labradoodle) spay and Beamers neuter went fine though.

[Jennifer & Kai]

Kristine I remember he had a little opening where the incision on outter skin was (not sure how that skin is closed off, maybe with glue I didn't ask)  and it had a little redness and blood right around the inner stitch below, I could see it because the stitch was black or dark in color..my vet said it was the stitch he was allergic to and so she pulled it out..and put a little topical medication...?? neosporin or something to help it heal, glued it and we were done.  I couldn't bathe him for a couple of weeks...after to make sure it healed properly.    Oh and she didn't charge me either..I was pleasantly surprised.  I have to say I do like the women that take care of Kai.  I guess he had healed enough that they didn't need to do anything else and maybe not enough to warrant an antibiotic. You are doing the right thing by being careful with him.  I think of Kai as my baby too and wouldn't have it any other way.  Have a good one.  Jennifer

[Adam, Emily and Butters]

Butters just got neutured a couple of days ago.  We have the regular stitches but it's hard to keep him from playing and I think he kind of opened his wound again.  We didn't think about putting neosporin on it, but after reading this we are!  Hooray for people asking questions and giving answers. 

 

The only thing is that Butters is still trying to hump his "baby", a stuffed animal dog.  Is that suppose to happen after he's neutured?  Is this going to be a life long problem?