Help please - problem with Poppy's scar.

Fiona

Fiona

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Hi guys - needing some advice.

Poppy was speyed a fortnight ago, and had a lovely neat scar with three little stitches (white thread). I took her up to the vets last Thursday to have these taken out, and at that stage the scar was nice and well healed with just a thin brown scab starting to dry out and come away from the skin.

I was drying her tummy today with a towel, and noticed that there is what looks extremely like the end of a stitch (two ends of black thread) poking about 2mm out of the end of her scar, and there is a tiny lump under the skin. Is this some sort of extra internal stitch which the vet has forgotten to remove.

Should I take her back on Monday? There seems to be perhaps a little knot under the skin, so I don't think I would have any succes trying to pull it out myself.

I am annoyed, as the scar has healed so well and looks like a little bit of it might have to be opened up again!

Any thoughts?

Fiona
 
Take her back to the vets, it could be anything to be honest. You don't want to risk infection, and if it is an internal stitch from the op you should definately take her back!
 
Sounds to me like a stitch of some sort they have neglected to remove, may have missed it. I would def. take her back for peace of mind and to avoid infection.
 
i love the way everyone thinks the vets have forgotten to remove something.

it will be the end of the knot from the dissolvable subcutaneous sutures - these are not to be removed and will dissolve in their own time. the vet hasn't forgotten to remove anything. it's quite difficult to bury the knots of the subcutaneous sutures, especially in slim dogs and sometimes the ends of the thread poke out. it's nothing to worry about. definitely dont pull it or try and remove it in any way.
 
I was going to say that. It is frightening how quickly people jump to the conclusion that the vet has forgotten something. Well, it is for me, as I'm qualifying next year!
 
it is plausible thought and better safe than sorry I would have thought..
I did think after posting could be internal, but having had a stitch left in (an outer one at that) it is not impossible..
 
I thinkw ith doctors and vets alike it is always natural to jump to the vets forgotten something! (I'm not quite that close to qualifying-MM good luck with finals etc!)
 
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it is plausible thought and better safe than sorry I would have thought..
I did think after posting could be internal, but having had a stitch left in (an outer one at that) it is not impossible..

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but the fact Fiona describes 2 ends of black thread is an absolute, total giveaway that it's the internal knot - the nylon used in the skin is white and if a bit was left behind it would just look like one end, not 2.
 
Star - you're brilliant. I am glad I asked now. That's why I made a point of saying that the thread was black and was 2 pieces, rather than white like the external stitches. The vet who took her stitches out last Thursday wouldn't have seem it, as there was still a scab running down the scar and the little black stitches must have been hidden in this.
I can definitely feel a little knot under her skin though. Will this definitely dissolve. I can definitely take her up to the vets tomorrow morning if you think I should.

Thanks again

FIona
 
yup, the knot and the suture will dissolve, but it will take several weeks - they are holding her insides together, so you dont want them dissolving too quickly. my dog had the same after i castrated him - i picked a little scab off and exposed my knot. i just ignored it and it healed over fine.
 
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