Stitches ?

[bearded_oscar]

Hi All

Just wondering what sort of damage can be done in stitches arnt received in time ?

I have been away for 4 days and when i got back(late today) one of my dogs had ripped the other dogs lip and cheack open pretty bad.

On one side it just dangles he ripped straight through his lip and around 5cm to 8cm up his cheeck around his nose and under it and abit of his cheeks has gone a pink and is rough to touch and has abit of a smell.

He hasnt been taken to the vet because my mum who was feeding and cheaking them was scared they would be taken away for fighting.(I rang them today when i got home they were just closing so he is booked in for tomorrow.

My amstaff was staying inside while i was away and the other boy was in his cage they have a cage each as they dont get along.

My mum came down on friday morning to let him out of the house for awhile and feed them but he got away from her went to the other cage and ripped a hole in the wire big enough to get his jaw threw and grab him i dont no how he ripped through the wire and she also said that my other dog did not bleed 1 drop.He had hold of him for around 10 minutes she couldnt get him off then he finally let go and walked off.

He is still eating well and drinking he was happy to see me and still wags his tail and has a smile on his face he doesnt seem distress but does seem alittle scared now as he looks abit nervious as he comes out his kennel when u call him he looks about like his thinking where is that other dog.

I couldnt take him in late today as they charge alot more today for arfter hours service because of easter(and im on the pension) so his going tomorrow morning.its still going to be alot as i was told on the phone not to feed him because he will need to go in for surgery.

That leads me to another question does anyone know if they have to be a good weight to be put under for surgery as he has been having alot of weight problems he gets feed pleanty and wormed regulary but doesnt seem to be putting weight on he is really really skinny.

Thanks Paul

This is the one that attacked

and the victim

Edited March 24, 2008 by bearded_oscar

[Guest Pandii]

Not sure with dogs, but with humans if stiches cannot be done straight away the area needs to be packed and kept wet, so the skin edges do not dry out. Once the edges dry they will not rejion and heal. I am sure there are technical words

Go to your vet and see what they say they should be able to fix/save the area

Good luck and keep us posted

[curlygirl]

If wounds are not stitched up quickly the edges dry/die and would then need to be cut back to healthy/viable tisue. This means the wounds are in affect made larger and sometime extra care is needed as the wound ( depending on where it is ) is placed under more tension. Sometimes with dog fight wounds its better not to stitch them straight away as the tissue can be more damaged than first appears, some wounds require a couple of surgeries as tissues die off.

[bearded_oscar]

Hi All

Just got back from the vets and thankfuly he wont need surgery.The vet said that it was healing on both sides good enough to leave it to heal its self.

But because he wasnt seen straight away he has got an infection so his going back at 3:30 to get an injection and will be on antibiotics.

I have to bath it 2-3 times a day and getly rub the scabs of eack side of the wound .She said he could go in for surgery if i wanted but they would only be making the wound look better than if it heals its self.

Thanks

Will update when i get back from his injection and will try and get some pictures.

Edited March 25, 2008 by bearded_oscar