Dissolving stitches not dissolving?

[csaper58]

My Aussie slab fractured a molar, and the tooth was removed surgically on Feb.10th. The dog is eating/drinking normally.

The stitches are still present.

I contacted our vet who said it could take 60 - 90 days for the stitches to dissolve/absorb.

I have never heard this before.

The dogs mouth is itchy and he wants to chew on (anything) to rub his gum. The gum is not swollen or discolored.

This dog is a fear biter and is muzzled in the vet’s presence, so he will have to be chemically restrained for an examination of his mouth if another check up is needed.

Should we wait and let the stitches dissolve or is the vet pulling my leg?

Has anyone used Anbesol or similar product on a dog?

Thanks for any help.

[fordtraktor]

My horse had these in his head after a kick and honestly it five months to get them all out. They would work out through the top of his head which was super fun because it hurt when one started working loose, and he’d randomly lose his mind under saddle. But they did eventually all come out and the behavior went away.

I pulled them out once I could get a loose end. horse is a chill dude and it still bothered him a lot. with your fear biting dog, I would give it a couple more months and then have the vet remove them under sedation if they aren’t gone.

[csaper58]

Thank you fordtraktor, I’m glad your horse’s head healed up from that kick!

You’re right, taking the stitches (out if they don’t dissolve) will need sedation. Mainly because the stitches are tiny, and black, and so are his gums. Doc will need magnification, bright light, and very still patient.

[Stitch_In_Time]

Shortly after I got my former mare she got kicked by another horse on the inside of her hind leg above her hock and below her stifle (don’t ask me how, but you could see a hoof print). She had a small laceration but it was bleeding like crazy (onto white legs so it looked even worse than it was). The vet put about 3 internal stitches (dissolvable) and 4 external.

I pulled the external stitches 14 days later and the next day a small part of the wound reopened. It would scab over and reopen repeatedly over several months. At this point the wound was tiny and not affecting her but we couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t heal. Finally one day I was cleaning the area and I noticed the end of a stitch, I cut the “dissolvable” stitch out and wouldn’t you know that thing healed up in about 3 days. The vet was perplexed why only one of the stitches didn’t dissolve.

I would give it more time, but after my experience it wouldn’t surprise me if they need to be removed by the vet.

[csaper58]

Thanks S.I.T.

I wonder what kind of quality control goes on when these sutures are being made? I had stitches in my head (a small laceration) that did not dissolve.

[Stitch_In_Time]

I would say that it has something to do with an individuals body chemistry, except in the case of my horse it was only one of the stitches that didn’t dissolve?

As an aside, that horse is the reason for my screen name. Through a series of unfortunate events she earned the barn name “Stitches”. :lol: She was an awesome little mare when she wasn’t trying to commit suicide though!