whats the best way to remove stiches that are in my dog?

Answer 1

As others have suggested, a vet is the best bet.

If, for whatever reason, that isn't an option for you...
First, make sure the wound is fully healed. Taking the stitches out prematurely will risk reopening the wound.

Then thoroughly scrub your hands with a disinfectant soap and cold water. Cold water is best. Hot water isn't going to be hot enough to kill whatever germs are on your hands, and warm water just opens up the pores on your skin, giving microbes better places to hide.

Next, disinfect the scar with some cotton soaked in rubbing alcohol. Do it thoroughly, and don't be afraid to soak the sutures with the alcohol.

Then, you need to sterilize a pair of small scissors using the same method. These scissors can be like the ones people use on their nails. Small and sharp.

You may want someone to help hold your dog still for the actual removal of the sutures. It won't hurt your dog, but he may not want to hold still for this, and you don't want to risk jabbing him with the scissors or contaminating anything.

Now cut each of the sutures just below the knot. Do this for each suture, however many there are. You may have to pull up on them a little to make room enough to get the scissors under the sutures. Don't bother trying to remove them yet, just cut them.

After all of the sutures have been cut, just grab them by the ends and pull them out. They should come out easily. If they don't, don't try to force it, but I've never known of them to stick.

After all of the sutures have been removed, disinfect the site of the wound again with rubbing alcohol and spread some Neosporin around on it.

I've removed sutures in this same manner, on both dogs and myself, and never had any problems. It saved money on vets and doctor visits.

Answer 2

Jeez people what is this razor blade thing, Don't use a razor blade!!! You really should take him back to where he got the stitches, there should be no cost. if they are taken out prematurely the area may come open again and have to be sutured again that will cost you a office visit,anesthesia and a half day kennel charges. Some times its not always easy to see if things are healed properly if you don't know what to look for. Sharp pointed scissors and blades can be dangerous to you and your pet if he jumps or struggles. Fingernail clippers are very easy to nip the skin. Leave it to the people that do it all the time. Even they use suture removal scissors.

Answer 3

The best way is to have the vet do it.How do you know that it is time to take them out?Its difficult because the dog can move quickly & get injured.Id use nail clippers maybe but you may hurt the animal so the vet is the best bet.Some sutures disolve on their own ,,do you know if that is the type that they are or not? If there is any reddness to the area,,infection has occured & will need antibiotics from the vet.

Answer 4

Bring it back to the vet to take them out, or, if you are not faint of heart or stomache, you can use tiny scissors (that are very sharp) and clip each one, then pull them out with tweezers. Ive had to do it when my dogs have ripped out a few stitches (hes had 4 surgeries, had an accident when he was a baby) Make sure they are ready to come out though, and if they are, sterilize and clean the wound and the instruments before use. You can boil them to ensure safety, or use iodine type stuff (betodine I think is the name) and it will help the healing. Be careful though, you dont want to injure your dog any further! Have someone help you if you do this. J

Answer 5

go to a vet. But if you don't want to do that, while your dog is tired or sleeping get medical scissors and cut the stiches. If skin comes off its just dead skin from the accident. I got this from my brother when he has stiches. lol. my dad cut them.

Answer 6

It's best to go back to the vet. The vet would probably want to make sure the incision is healing properly with no redness or irritation. Because of the risk of infection, I'd take my dog back to the vet.

Answer 7

Take it to the vet where they are removed for free or have someone hold your dog and gently cut the stitches with scissors and gently pull them out. Sometimes they are a bit difficult pull just a bit harder and remember to pull at the knot side.

Answer 8

This is such a simple procedure that the vet does and it should have been part of the original cost of the surgery, so there should not be a charge. Why not let the vet take care of it, then they can check the incision to be sure all is well?

Answer 9

If your dog will lay still for you, great. If not, have someone hold your dog while "you" talk softly to him/her. Take a tiny pair if sissors in one hand, and with the other
hand, snip the knot of the stitch, and gently pull one end of the stitch or thread, till it comes out. Do this to all of them till you're finished. Then with a cotton swab, dipped in alcohol, gently clean where the stitches used to be, & do this for a few days. I hope this helped. Good luck.

Answer 10

should be free at the vets where the op happened, but you can just cut the stitch with sharp sissors or razor blade then gentle pull out without too much bother, if needed just gently bathe it in salt water before hand just to make it easier to remove but not normally needed!