Emergency suturing care for pets

[Baz]

I just ordered some suture needles and 5% Lidocaine cream online.

The needles are those curved ones with the triangular points and silk thread.

I'll use these in case I need to suture one of my pets when an area vet clinic is not an option.

I'm not a vet nor have I had training in suturing animals but have watched it being performed and it looks pretty straight forward.

I realize infection is a concern and peroxide and alcohol should be used for sanitation.

What about numbing the tissue.....I guess I should hit up one of my pet industry friends for some injectable Lidocaine and a few syringes.

In the meantime at least I'll have the topical cream.

Anyone else doing this? Any other suggestions?

Again - these will be for emergencies when I cannot access a pro.

[Zeke]

I don't suggest doing this. You would be better off bandaging them until you can get to to a vet. The reasons are many. One is you may not be able to stop bleeding and you will be sewing up a wound that has a small artery that needs to be cauterized. Another is proper preparation of the area, e.g. shaving. Of course having an assistant and anesthesia are even more reasons.

The animal is not going to understand what you are doing and will resist. Simply put, this is a job for a pro. I'm sure you are capable of stabilizing the wound and the animal. My advice would be to be content with that until you can get help.

[Noah930]

Ditto zeke's concerns.

But I'd opt for nylon (or Prolene, as it's blue).

[island911]

I would think superglue . . maybe even just the fur. That way, the wound would be somewhat closed, and yet the Vet can easily cut away the fur for closing it right.

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by island911

I would think superglue . . maybe even just the fur. That way, the wound would be somewhat closed, and yet the Vet can easily cut away the fur for closing it right.

I used superglue on a slashed knee while diving in Hawaii. Wasn't going that far and not dive. Worked well with no problems.

[dennis in se pa]

I have had dogs for 40 years and never needed to do what you are imagining you might have to do.
I will stop there.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

I have had dogs for 40 years and never needed to do what you are imagining you might have to do.
I will stop there.

I had to do it this morning.

But YMMV.....

[Tim Hancock]

My dad worked in hospital administration when I was a kid. Our mutt got hit by a car and had a several inch long gash on it's shoulder. Dad had sample suture kits and betadyne from work and we held the dog down while dad sewed him up. Dog lived several years until it got hit by another car and my buddy had to put him down with a rifle.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Baz

Again - these will be for emergencies when I cannot access a pro.

When would that be? What a strange post. Sounds like someone who fights dogs to me.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

When would that be? What a strange post. Sounds like someone who fights dogs to me.

Hard Drive:

Thanks (as always) for your very helpful and very positive post.

FYI: I had to re-suture one of my girls this morning because it is Easter and no vet clinics were open. Her incision was from ACL surgery last Monday. A few stitches came out last night and I needed to re-secure the incision to prevent infection. I used a sewing needle and thread, more or less, out of desperation.

There are situations where having the right materials and knowledge to suture could be helpful for a pet (or a human). I don't know why this is such a hard concept to grasp.

Thanks to those who posted positive input..it's greatly appreciated.

BTW....here's my little girl's leg after I sutured it this morning - 2 black sutures and 1 red. Not pretty but did the job. She was very brave too - only 1 little winch on the second suture. This with no anesthetic.

[Baz]

And yes Billabong is in an E-collar. But she can't eat, drink, or sleep in her crate with it on. So I've been taking it off at night and I think that's when she licks. Going to try leaving it on tonight.

[TheMentat]

I'll second the superglue... Used it on myself, and It worked great. I couldn't imagine messing around with local anisthetics, needles and all that other stuff on a squirming injured animal.

[Rikao4]

the cream is pretty much useless..
as it works mostly on mucous membrane..

if you do get the inj. Lidocaine..
don't get the one with epinephrine..
while longer lasting..
you can't use it just anywhere..

the top & bottom gaps should be looked at..

Rika

[1990C4S]

I would be more inclined to use it on myself than my dog. I have lots of cuts that I could have sutured myself.

[vash]

i cant even sew a patch on a shirt sleeve straight..

not so sure i could perform the move on a dog.

[JavaBrewer]

Kudos to you Bazza. I don't think I would be brave enough to attempt that. I'll stick with my tried method of butterfly bandages or super glue - a very doable solution until real medical attention can be found.

[goat]

I would look into a skin stapler. faster than a needle and as long as no major arteries are near you are good. We carry one in the field as part of our first aid kit. Never used it but my friend had a first hand experience when his dog got caught up in some barbwire.

[RWebb]

bad idea - many reasons why

every surgeon, MD, DVM, and scientist who does surgery on wild animals in the field or in the lab will take their kid or pet in to their office for even minor surgery

is there not a 24 hr. Emergency Vet. place near you??
- I have the way to drive there memorized for my area, and I have done numerous implants on animals in snowstorms & what have you - I will not suture myself or my pets

if you feel you must do this, talk it over with your Vet, and read up on it - try "Medicine for Mountaineering" - which tells you how to do an emergency tracheotomy on your friends & other fun stuff

[nynor]

superglue and steri strips. shave the site. may not stop arterioles from continuing to bleed.

[recycled sixtie]

I took my black lab to the emerg. vets during the middle of the night years ago. Very expensive. Daytime vets are a lot cheaper. I would only do a temp. fix to save my dog until I got to a real vets. My dog deserved the best care.