My dog pulled out stitches after surgery and I can see his insides. What do I do?

Thank you for the picture of his incision, it's very helpful. After 12 days, the incision should be fully healed, and in the picture, it doesn't look red, swollen, or infected. There is an area in the middle that looks a little open, and that may be from him pulling at the stitches, but it doesn't look fully open. I would put a cone back on him to keep him from pulling at the stitches more, and take him to a regular vet if you can on Monday to get the rest of them removed. There isn't a need for an emergency vet at this point in time. If you cannot get him into another vet on Monday, you can wait until Tuesday to see his normal vet as long his incision doesn't become infected or open up more. Again, keep a cone on him to keep him for getting at the stitches. I hope this helps!

Given that it is so early after the surgery it would be best for your pet to be seen. Sutures or staples may need to be replaced and possibly oral antibiotics started. Chewing on the incision allows mouth bacteria to enter the wound. This can be dangerous if not addressed. If you call your vets office they should have a way for pets to be seen when they are closed, either a doctor on call or a number for a close er. You could also google a veterinary emergency clinic in your area. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It appears that this part of the incision did pop open. I would recommend that you have it checked by an emergency vet. It may be able to heal without getting new stitches, but I cannot make that call just by looking at a picture - it should be done by someone that can evaluate the whole body. Make sure that he is not licking - not even once - since that will spread bacteria, decrease healing, and loosen up other stitches.

This is an emergency, so hopefully you can get a hold of the vet soon, but it would be worthwhile to get sadie to the vet clinic as soon as possible. I'm assuming the vet is on-call. If they don't respond in the next 15 minutes, then it may be worthwhile to take Sadie to the nearest vet emergency clinic. Below is a link to the nearest one that I could find to you. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Plainview,+TX,+USA/Small+Animal+Emergency+Clinic,+5103+34th+St+A,+Lubbock,+TX+79410,+USA/@33.8741116,-102.0742258,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x8701e61c7f49cf23:0x358adbe2df9e020f!2m2!1d-101.7068417!2d34.1847936!1m5!1m1!1s0x86fe72c571175819:0xcbde1cc384b9bfa9!2m2!1d-101.9206621!2d33.5629219!3e0 It's good that you did not do much at this time. Definitely do NOT attempt to put the intestines back in the body. You'll have to stabalize the wound for transport. The best thing to do is cover the exposed intestines with sterile gauze soaked in sterile saline, then to place a dry bulky dressing over that that can be tied around the belly. If this is not possible, then there are other options. Below is a link to a great demonstration of how to deal with this in a person, but the principles are the same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFETPsCWOxk I hope that helps and all is well with Sadie.

If the stitches have been in for less than a week, then yes a vet may want to restitch him. I wouldn't put a liquid bandage on it, I would have Brad evaluated by a vet to determine if it needs to be sutured again. You can take him into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see him now.

Peroxide can hinder healing and there are enough staples out that I would be concerned the skin is going to reopen/tear from movement. I would try to get her into your vet or an ER vet ASAP to have a few extra staples/surgical glue put in to prevent the remainder from pulling apart. In the meantime, you can keep the area clean and debris-free with a clean washcloth and limit ALL activity (leashed walks outside to go potty, kennel rest, etc) to minimize pulling apart the skin as it heals.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The incision is open indeed and it will require stapling or re-suturing. A visit at your local vets or emergency service is required as this wound should not be left like this till Monday. If you clean the wound with antiseptic skin solution (ideally containing 4% chlorhexidine, for example Hibiclens) and make sure Chase does not lick the incision, you can wait and see your local vets tomorrow. Alternatively, you should try and get Chase seen at your local 24/7 vets this evening.