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Spay sutures not dissolving after 3 months? Should I get a new vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) | Female | spayed | 7 months and 22 days old | 7 lbs

It is going on almost 3 months since my chihuahua was spayed. Her external incision has healed but the internal sutures never dissolved and her body is trying to push them up out of her body. The vet insist they used dissolvable sutures and sometimes some with some dogs it just takes longer for the to dissolve. Should I be looking for a new vet? Is it really possible that dissolvable sutures would not dissolve after almost 3 months? Parts of them have already come through her skin

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on August 16th, 2021

While it can take a long time for sutures to dissolve, and may cause some swelling or irritation, if the area is still very inflamed, is bothering Mikasa, you're seeing sutures actually coming out of the incision site through the skin, or the area is hot to the touch or lumpy, I'd get a second opinion from another vet. It's possible there is an ongoing reaction under the skin that needs to be addressed, or the sutures removed and the area examined to check for other causes. Until you can get to the vet, making sure to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection, and keeping Mikasa from licking at it is best.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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