My dog's surgery wound staple is loose. Should I worry about healing?

It looks like the wound is separating a bit, and perhaps one of the staples has pulled through the skin, but it is difficult to tell from a photo. There appears to be a little bit of redness/discharge which can sometimes indicate infection. I don't think this is an emergency but I would recommend having your vet examine the incision when they are next open. If your dog is licking at the area then placing an e-collar on him to stop this, or if you do not have one trying to put a long sleeved shirt on him so that he cannot lick at the area and further cause damage until your vet can see him. Best of luck to you!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think that area should have had stitches, so I’m assuming Buddy licked them out. It only takes a few seconds for a dog to remove them. He should be wearing an E-collar or a donut at all times. He shouldn’t lick that open area either. Clean it well with soap and water and apply a triple antibiotic ointment. It likely will heal on its own as long as he doesn’t continue to lick. I wish Buddy a speedy recovery!

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.

Mast cell tumor incision sites often dehisce (come open) because of the nature of this type of tumor. Staples are not likely to hold either. Without seeing it myself it is hard to say what treatment would be best. You may have to let it heal by second intention (let it fill in and heal naturally). I suggest you speak to your vet about starting Skippy on some antihistamines which may help with the dehiscence of the incision.

I can't see your previous questions, but if a staple was pulled, either of your options is possible, however the swelling may have been caused by the movement due to irritation of the tissues as well as part of the healing process. If the staple is very badly torn, or the suture site is opening, having your vet look at it and repair it as needed is best. If your pup is very upset with having the cone on, many pet stores carry "donut" collars that are like little rings that go around, as well as soft-sided cones. These can be a lot easier for a pet to handle and prevents them from bumping into walls, etc while still preventing them from getting to sutures/staples.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Given that she has evidence of wound dehiscence, she should be re-evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment. This wound is likely going to need to be addressed locally with wound cleaning, debridement and most likely by replacing those stitches that came out. At the same time, she is likely to need antibiotics as well. In the meantime, I recommend that you limit her activity as much as possible and use an e-collar to prevent further self-trauma. At the same time, they may be able to check her for the bloody stool which could be secondary to medications if she is on something like a pain killer or antibiotic after her surgery. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

The black stitches you see are likely internal stitches, which is normal. Staples can stay in for a long time, since they are metal. However I would take Etta back to the vet for a recheck if the incision has not closed by Monday (at least scabbed over). Do not touch the incision, do not put ointment on it and do not let Etta lick the incision. Should you see pus, or green/yellow discharge, she will need antibiotics.