Why is my dog licking his healed surgery wound even after recovery?

It can take 3 weeks or longer to completely heal from this surgery. The itching is likely due to the sutures and healing. Keep an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking or chewing. Your vet may be able to prescribe a remedy for the itching.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Chancho. Unfortunately there is not picture attached to your post, so I'm not sure what this area looks like. It could be he has a rash, skin infection, or fungal infection, and he's making it worse by licking the area. Dogs lick an area when it's really bothering them. I would take him into a vet first thing in the morning. The vet can diagnose what is causing this issue, and can treat him. Best of luck.

As far as I can see the wound looks fine at this stage. Cone should be kept all times unfortunately, as licking can delay healing process and open up skin margins. There is no acceptable amount of licking, the wound can open up any time. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Krispy. I worry that he has a mass on his leg. If so, the skin will not heal unless the mass is surgically removed. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent any further self trauma. I hope this information helps!

That's not a typical side effect of giving an antibiotic, but it is possible that Brooke is still experiencing some pain related to the anal glands, and so she is licking to relieve it. It's also possible there is another issue, such as irritation on the legs, that are causing her to want to lick and chew. If you haven't already, I would schedule a recheck with your veterinarian to make sure the anal glands are healed up and to look for any other issues such as pain in the legs or around the anus, allergies, parasites, etc that may be causing her to lick. In the meantime, keeping the Elizabethan collar on may help. There are also no-lick wraps that can be placed on the legs that may help deter licking if there is no injury (once you've gotten the OK from your vet). Distraction through a puzzle or chew toy such as a Kong stuffed with treats or food may also help redirect this behavior into something more positive if it's stress or habit-related instead.

I am afraid the itch is the wound trying to heal. Anything that would stop the itching would likely also hinder healing. I actually think the woulnd is irritating him and a natural reaction to that is to lick the wound. Of course we need to keep him from licking the wound and contaminating it with nasty mouth bacteria as well as opening the wound. So, Priat will need to be brave and plow through having a e-collar or wearing the doggy jacket. It will keep him from licking and so facilitates healing. The pain and itching should be gone in a few days (DO NOT take off the jacket until your vet says so). He will get used to it and be a good boy.

If Cal constantly chews on it it may be that the licking and chewing is behaviorally based rather than injury based. Having the area checked by your vet is a good option, however, to rule out any possible causes such as an underling infection or allergy. It is also a good idea to not allow Cal to continue licking and chewing on the spot and to use an Elizabethan (cone) collar until the area is completely healed. Allowing him to lick and chew on it will just prolong the healing period and the saliva may introduce a secondary infection into the area.