My dog has an open incision. Will it take longer to heal completely?

Good evening! Wounds can heal via “secondary intention,” which is slowly closing from the inner to outer layers. If there is an active infection or underlying damage to the tissues, this may be the ideal way to allow a wound to heal. Sutures typically heal in approximately two weeks, and thus tends to be the easier and faster option if possible. I would recommend reaching back out to your veterinarian to see if another full multi-layer closure would work, and if not, why to determine the plan moving forward. If you are unsure, it would be something where you could pursue a second opinion if you’d like as well. Good luck!

Hello. If the incision has opened a bit, but is not a gaping wound, then healing naturally, or by second intention, will be just fine. Otherwise, sedation may be needed to reclose the area. Your veterinarian has prescribed a good plan with what you have listed above, so try to curtail Wilma's activity as much as possible so that the incision does not open more. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

it is hard to say if this can heal without putting another stitch in. If you cannot keep your dog still, then this will indeed need another stitch or staple to hold the wound edges together and especially not enlarge. It is also very important to keep an e-collar on her so she cannot lick the incision. Keeping her calm would be essential and you may have to crate her in order to achieve that.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At least based on these pictures, this looks almost healed. It just has a small area that appears to be close to healing but not quite. While neosporin is ok, I think the main thing to make it completely heal is making sure that he is unable to get to it and chew or lick at it. Please make sure to use an e-collar to try to prevent this. If you are able to keep him from getting to his incision, I think you should be able to get it to heal. You can continue to use the neosporin as that may speed up the healing process. However, make sure to not pick at any scabs as that will usually delay healing. Good luck and have a good night!

No as long as it’s not fully opened. The abdomen is closed in layers so even if the skin incision opens a little it will not effect the healing of the inner layers. Do not clean it or put anything on it. If she’s licking please use a cone, and keep her quiet. Being overly active can cause problems with the suture line and result in increased pain and swelling. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lena.

Have her rechecked by your veterinarian. The site should have been fully healed by now unless she has been licking it or overly active. Place an e-collar (cone) on her and restrict activity to just leash walks for elimination until she sees the doctor. A staple, suture or glue may be applied once any infection or trauma has been ruled out by the vet.

The wound appears very superficial in the picture and I would leave it open to the air without dressing. Manuka honey and saline washes once daily may help if it becomes crusted. It is possibly due to a reaction to suture material which although rare can occur (surgical repair is a last resort as healing can be slow!)