My dog has stitches and is scratching. Is calendula cream safe?

I would make sure she isn't licking it and not being too active. I would keep her confined to a crate or small bathroom and only take her out on a leash for short walks to go to the bathroom. You can put a cone collar on her to prevent the licking. From the picture, they do look a litte red but otherwise it looks good. You can put a little neosporin or bacitracin on the area as long as it doesn't attract her attention to it. If she is leaving it alone, then the ointment will likely make her lick it and that isn't ideal. I hope this helps. If you are still unsure by how it looks, I would have your vet take a peek at it when you are able.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photo you provided, it appears as though Stitch has an abrasion that may be secondarily infected. It does not look very deep based on the photo. If you are unable to get to a veterinarian to have this looked at right away, you can use a diluted solution of betadine and saline (mixed together until you have a light brown liquid) and use this to clean the abrasion of any contaminants. Once clean, you can then use a topical cream such as Sentry Topical Wound cream (applied to the area twice daily until resolved) found at your local Petco. I would also recommend that you use a plastic cone around his head to help prevent him from rubbing his head, which would further worsen the area. If this does not improve or it worsens, I would then recommend having a veterinarian examine Stitch so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns ad I would be more than happy to help you further.

No, I would not put these on Raider's incision, as he will likely try to lick them off. Many human ointments contain multiple other ingredients which are not necessarily safe to be swallowed. Dogs can eat and drink with a cone on, they do adapt, but if you take it off, monitor him very closely to keep him away from the incision. If he's scratching at it, you can get put a t-shirt on him to keep it protected or you can buy a medical pet shirt. Monitor the incision daily, and if you see any redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, it's infected and he will need to see a vet for treatment.

Yes, keep checking them daily and re-bandage them, but stop applying the triple antibiotic. Nothing should be put on the stitches, and you rubbing on them with this cream is interrupting the healing process. Have Bailey seen by a vet on Monday if there is still redness and bleeding. Best of luck.

Hello. This does not look too bad. I do not think Shasta needs oral antibiotics, but it may benefit from a topical antibiotic. I would show this to your vet & see how concerned she might be. Otherwise, hot compresses & keeping Shasta from doing any licking on the area ( using either an Elizabethan collar, T-shirt, or canine body suit ) should be all that is necessary. If you want to put something on this until you can see your vet, I would try one of the over the counter Vetericyn wound products. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It doesn't appear deep. If there is no active bleeding, clean it up with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. I see you have a triple antibiotic ointment. You can dab a bit on the area. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Monitor for lethargy, fever, bleeding, swelling, discharge or loss of appetite. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

Hi. It looks too old for stitches, but she needs to be seen for a clip and clean and antibiotics. I would not put anything on it until your veterinarian prescribes it. Tonight you can use neosporin. Keep it clean and dry.