Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi there - I've found a few answers in old forum posts, but wondering if anyone has thoughts on scar care? We are 18 days post op, and Devo's scar is "healed" according to vets, stitches are out. It's still very bumpy, puckered, etc and seems pretty tight and not mobile. Does anyone have experience to share on scar massage, compresses, castor oil packs, etc? I've started a few of these on my own where I feel comfortable.
Second question - Devo can lick part of her scar and will lick it until it gets red and irritated. Knowing her, she will do this forever! No matter the stage of healing or hair regrowth!
Has anyone used a shirt type garment that covers the scar so they can't reach it? Most of the harnesses I see are too far back and don't cover the shoulder area where her scar is.
Thanks 🙂
Devo's Tripawd Story here
Hmmm....others will have to chime in who may have better input.
Could you post a photo of the ,scar? Sometimes raised sort of "bumps" form where the stitches were for a little while. It may have tk do with the te sion/tightness that was put on the stitches.
Guessing the stitches were out around day fourteen?? Maybe the best thing is to leave it alone for now and let nature do its thing???
Again, others may chime in with more specific solutions. As far as the licking, you may have to use a cone (soft cone)a bit longer to keep him from licking.
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi! I posted a question about scar tissue a few months ago and never received a reply, so hopefully you will. Griffin has a section of skin along his scar line that is "stuck" to his muscles underneath and I was advised by a rehab vet to treat it like you do human scar tissue - using deep massage to break up the scar tissue. I haven't had a lot of success thus far, but I think I might have waited too long to start addressing the issue. Also, I used a human neck gaiter as a covering for Griffin's incision in the early days. It was pretty stretchy and easy to cut a hole for his left front leg. I hope this helps! ~ Stacy (Griffin's Journey)
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
I agree with the deep massage. Once I did a faceplant and cut my lip front right through to the back. Had it stitched up in emergency and had to get 2 more plastic surgery revisions after. I was left with a scar larger than the initial cut and was told to massage it and the lump eventually went away and I only feel a tiny lump right now. By the way, it took years to get it down in size.
Also, remember that it's itchy when hair starts to grow, perhaps that's why Devo might be chewing. When my cat became interested in her scar I would put a cool damp washcloth on the area to distract her. Stacy's neck gator looks like a great idea!
Remember to watch for any potential infection.
Stacy I'm sorry you never got a reply to that post, not sure how I missed that one. I'm updating it now with a link to this discussion.
Thank you Devo's people, for posting your questions here.
We haven't had an issue with Jerry or Wyatt Ray 's incision so your ideas are all very much appreciated!
I love the ingenious covering you made Stacy.
As someone who has a deep scar on the inside of my knee, I've never been able to get rid of it. But I have to say, twenty years later I'm still reluctant to touch it, the sensation still creeps me out!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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