[weejimmy]

today under the vets instructions i removed jimmys dressing from his stitched wound tonight all he seems to do is lick,lick,lick the area i fear he maybe doing it some harm as the vet says the stiches have to be in 12 to 15 days im worried he will get them out we tried the lamp shade on he manages to get it off no problem but i heard when they lick a wound they are self healing is this true any advice appreciated

 

[sharonL]

Re: he's licking his wound is this harmful?

It can be true in some ways that licking is self healing.....at the same time you do have to worry about them getting the stitch out and/or the constent moisture causing an infection around the wound area....I would discourage licking as much as possible and alot of times a little while after the dressing is gone they will clean it and then leave it alone....other times they seem to not be able to stop licking it.....i

If it keeps going your vet should have a topical medicine to place on the wound that helps heal it and also taste bad to help with the licking........

You can also try to get them interested in something else....like a PB Kong.  

Generally if they slip the "lamp shade" it is not tight enough!