Does My Pet's Wound Need Stitches? - Miss Molly Says

Most pets, at some point in their lives, will sustain a cut, bite, gash, or other wounds that will have their owners wondering, "Does my pet need stitches?"

As a pet parent, dealing with an injured pet can be a nerve-wracking task in itself.

On the other hand, having a pet is almost a guarantee that at some point you will be dealing with minor cuts and/or injuries.

Our minds tend to gravitate towards the worst-case scenario. Instead, we need to remain calm and assess the situation.

This is where a bit of knowledge can go a long way toward ensuring a pet gets the proper care.

When Does a Pet's Wound Need Stitches?

As a general rule, stitches - technically referred to as sutures - are required when a wound is more than half an inch in diameter.

They are also indicated when the wound is located in an area where the skin is mobile and taut (near a joint), resulting in a separation of the wound's edges.

Stitches are usually left in place for ten to 14 days. They serve to hold the edges of a wound together. This promotes healing and prevents further tearing of the skin.

In many cases, several layers of stitches are inserted at various tissue depths to provide increased stability. This also helps to more broadly distribute tension at each suture site.

This can be particularly useful in areas where there's a great deal of mobility, like near the joints.

Stitches placed below the skin's surface are of the dissolvable variety and do not require removal.

In addition to larger wounds, stitches are also required in cases where an injury has created a flap of skin. They are also used in cases where a region of tissue is hanging or in an abnormal position.

Cases for NOT Using Stitches

There are a few cases when a veterinarian may decide against inserting stitches. This is especially true in cases where there is a high probability of trapping bacteria under the skin. Stitches here could lead to infections and slower healing.

If a wound is not properly irrigated, disinfected, and sutured within twelve hours, there's a much higher chance of infection. At this point, a vet may opt to leave the area as-is. This will allow for the necessary drainage.

In instances where stitches are necessary, it's common practice to insert a drain. A drain will allow the bacteria to escape, in conjunction with prescribing oral antibiotics.

If You Can't Get to the Vet Right Away

For pet owners who find themselves in a situation where they cannot immediately get to the veterinarian's office with an injured pet that needs stitches, there are a few ways to lessen the chance of infection.

Pet owners should begin by trimming or shaving the fur surrounding the wound site. You should create a minimum of a half-inch diameter of hair-free skin around the cut.

The next step would be to follow the normal veterinarian-recommended method for cleaning a wound and wound care.

Cleaning and Bandaging the Wound

The wound site should be washed with an anti-bacterial soap, irrigated, disinfected, and dressed three times daily.

To stock up on essential pet care items like wound cleaning supplies or first-aid kits.

In the case of an injury where a flap of skin has been created, one to two layers of rolled gauze can be used to hold the skin flap in place. This will create a more anatomically correct positioning.

It's vital to use only one or two layers of breathable gauze as a bandage. This will allow for proper airflow. An absence of airflow promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria.

If the wound is located on the face or another location where rolled gauze cannot be utilized, or if the edges of the wound are separated by more than one-quarter of an inch, steri-strips can be used to pull the wound edges together until a vet can tend to the injury.

Wound closure strips, available in the first aid section of most drug stores. These small strips are tacked down perpendicularly to the wound, pulling the two edges of the cut together.

Leave a one-quarter-inch space between the wound edges, as water and antiseptic should still be able to freely flow into the wound to allow for effective cleaning.

In Conclusion

Of course, if your pet has a deep wound with severe bleeding, this is an emergency. There should be no question about immediately seeking veterinary care.

However, if your pet has a minor wound or even a minor cut that leaves you questioning "does my pet's wound need stitches," it is ALWAYS best to seek veterinary care for an examination.