Need advice: Removing dressing from surgery wound?

Question

Yesterday, my basset hound had surgery to have an early-stage malignant tumor removed from his back leg.

He has stitches, and his leg is dressed in gauze. I was told by the vet tech that I should remove the gauze today.

I attempted to do so, with him in both a sitting and laying down position, stabilizing his leg so that I wasn't moving it around unnecessarily. But he bawls every time I touch it, and now, he won't let me near it.

The vet tech said that I should be able to do this myself. My boyfriend will be home soon, and we're going to give it one more try, with him holding and comforting the dog.

I'm curious if there is anything I can do to make this easier or less painful for him. If the two of us can't manage it together, I plan to ask the vet to do it, but would prefer to not have to, as I worry another car/vet trip would cause him much stress right now.

If I can't manage it, I'll certainly call and at least ask for advice, but does anyone have suggestions?

Answer 1

Wait until your boyfriend gets home. I think it will help if there are two of you. Before you remove the gauze- if it is really stuck on- take a damp warm wash cloth and hold it over the gauze for about a minute. This will probably feel good to your dog and it will loosen things up underneath the bangdage. Take all other wrappings of first. Dont try to do this by your self- you'll both just get more stressed out. I know from experience that most bassets arent the bravest pups in the world and he wont be cooperative. It usually works best if they are laying on their side with the bad leg up. Let your boyfriend sit behind him, holding the bottom front leg with the rest of his arm putting pressure on your dogs neck and shoulder area. This wont hurt your dog, but gives him pressure and leverage so the dog cant flip over. Make sure he keeps his face well out of the way so he doesnt get a good head butt if your dog gets upset. Just be quick but gentle when you pull it off- and he should do fine, just like taking off a bandaid. If it needs any cleaning just use a warm wash cloth or some peroxide on a tissue ( thats what your vet uses)- No alcohol or other cleansers. Then give him lots of hugs and kisses! He has had a rough day. Good luck!

Answer 2

1) Anxiety about it will only increase the pain sensation. 2) You do have the right to insist the doc give you something for pain prior to the dressing change. 3) You have the right to refuse the treatment if he doesn't,but that's not smart because the dressing does need to be changed. 4) What makes you think you won't be offered pain meds prior to the procedure? You got them yesterday. 5) If the pain is that all-encompassing for you, you have GOT to tell the doc you HAVE to have pain med. 6) Don't try to tough it out. Increased pain actually literally delays healing time. 7) Re-read step #3. Refuse to let the guy touch the site without giving you pain meds before. If it's pills, wait 45 minutes to 1 hour after you get the pain med to start the procedure. If it's an injection, like into a muscle, not at the site, wait about 30 minutes. If it's an injection right at the site, 2-3 minutes is good. If the thought of pain is so bad to you that you can't concentrate on anything else, you have got to be pre-medicated with pain medicine. Period. 8) If the guy refuses, report him.

Answer 3

First, give him chamomile tea, to calm and relax him..then bring water to a boil, and boil for a few minutes..add salt to the water, 1 teaspoon per cup of boiled water, and drizzle the swarm saline water over the wound, and the bandage should come off much easier after a couple of minutes.
dump chamomile out of its teabag, and mix it with a small amount of canned dog food or canned meat (tuna will work) and feed 30 minutes before the procedure.
You will find chamomile in any grocer's ea section, and it is safe for him..

Answer 4

I had a similar problem...with my mom. Ha-ha. But it's true. The problem was with the bandage sticking to the wound. A visiting nurse showed us, if you get warm water & sponge and soak the bandage/wound it will come off pretty easy. Take your time. Dog should like warm water, it feels good. Good luck.

Answer 5

i can tell you this much you need to talk to the dog and explain to the dog you are not going to hurt it and theni will be so much easier and when you go to take off the bandage you need to try not to put little if no pressure on the wound and you need to rember the dog is in pain the key to doing this talk to the dog assure the dog you are not going to hurt it and keep a little bit of water to try to keep the wound clean and try to keep an eye on the wound so it does not get infected so i wish you luck but remember to talk to the dog

Answer 6

I would also say the blood has dried and needs to be moistened. You could go ahead and get the sponge and wam water on it sop when your boyfriend gets home it will be ready to change.

Answer 7

Wetting it should help, it sounds like the blood is crusted up. If your dog has stitches you might not be able to wet the bandage. Check with you vet to see if it is OK.

Answer 8

"Advice"???

Sure....IGNORE the big cry-baby & just DO IT!!!!

********DO NOT WET THE WOUND!!!!******Wanna cause INFECTION??? DUH???

Geeeeeeze......*I* can do ANYTHING to my dogs...anytime,anywhere.....remove dressings,do nails,remove stitches,give shots,crack crap off their teeth...whatever.Because THEY are dogs & *I* am the HUMAN!