Bandages should never be put over sutures, unless temporary. Sutures should be inspected at least daily to ensure proper healing. No swelling, redness, oozing from the surgical site. Onsies are fine as you can easily look under them to assess the condition of the wound. Dogs will usually not eat if they have a fever, so going off feed can be an indicator of infection after a surgery. Nothing should ever be applied to a sutured area (creams or ointments) as they can interfere with the healing process. Sutures should be kept dry at all times. If a pup should remove one or two sutures, call your vet to see if they need to be replaced.
New theory on skin healing: Keeping a sore/wound (unsutured) moist can speed healing. Antibiotic ointment will keep the skin soft and promote healing. Letting the skin dry out will cause itching, pain if skin has to stretch as in walking/running, skin may crack and ooze. When cleansing, always blot the skin, never rub. And be wary, if it is painful to her, she could get nippy. |