Maverick Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 My boy Maverick has just had an operation and now has stitches across his head. Once the stitches come out, I want to know if there is anything I can put on it to help with the healing and reduce scaring. Many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 I'd suggest aloe vera straight from the plant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Yeah, I too had great results with Aloe Vera gel, with a horse that went through a barbwire fence, others had large scarring with the sort of injury, his was a thin pencil line, once healed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted June 14, 2005 Author Share Posted June 14, 2005 Can I put aloe on it while the stitches are in ? or will they disolve ? It has healed very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trifecta Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I have used Ungvita on horses & dogs, it contains Vitamin A among other things. Heals scars nicely & promotes hair growth. Wheatgem oil is also excellent but more expensive. I would not apply anything while the stitches are still in, but go for your life once they are out. Use tiny circular massage movements with the pads of your fingers. Bowen therapy is also excellent for reducing scarring & will rebalance the dog if there has been injury or trauma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I have always used Calendula Cream ( from the health food shop) for any wounds on both the dogs and ourselves with great success. and the good thing about it is that becuase it is all natural it will not harm the dog if it licks it. Trick- out the cream on just as you are about to feed the dog then it has at least 10minutes to absorb into the skin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Hi Maverick the stitches need to be kept dry, so no, wait until they are out before you put anything on it, not prescribed by your vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippa Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Can I put aloe on it while the stitches are in ? or will they disolve ?It has healed very well. It depends on what type of sutures he has in. If they are the nylon/prolene non disolvable type (resemble fishing line) they will not dissolve. Disolvable sutures do not need removal. it's a good idea to keep the suture line soft with something like vaseline or ungvita, something petroleum based, as it will help reduce scarring, and it''s OK to use while the sutures are still in. Plastic surgeons commonly use dressings impregnated with vasilene directly after surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Manuka Honey - magic stuff but be sure it is the real deal from the health food store! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted June 14, 2005 Author Share Posted June 14, 2005 I use Ungvita on the ponies... His stitches are bright blue and are very tough. I was told I couldn't get them wet. He looks a bit like Frankenstine at the moment. I have a bit of vaseline at home. Might try a bit of that tonight. A friend of mine is using Manuka honey on a open wound on a horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippa Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 His stitches are bright blue and are very tough. I was told I couldn't get them wet. He looks a bit like Frankenstine at the moment. That's prolene. It has the consistency of fishing line and comes in several different thicknesses. Used in humans for things like hernia repairs, so you can get them wet, especially if the wound has healed. It will not dissolve, ever, and that's why you have to remove the sutures. Vets are not to particular about the types of sutures they use as animals don't generally worry too much about whether they have scars and the tougher the better usually as dogs will return to normal behaviour when they start to feel better, unlike humans who may be a bit more careful until healing is complete. The scar will eventually fade, but certainly massage the vaseline/ungvita/vitamin E into it to keep it soft and moist and you may find the biggest concern is the fur might not grow back where the scar is, the dog might have a bald spot and a bit of careful grooming may be needed if you are planning to show him. Greenpet has a lovely product that may be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted June 14, 2005 Author Share Posted June 14, 2005 Not sure if I will show him again but at the moment he is clipped for Agility.. Thanks for the tips, will go and Vaseline him tonight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 when the stitches are out the Calendula cream will encourage the hair to grow back. My Collie was bitten on her"stop" by a wasp 2 wks before a big show and witht the use of Calendula cream she had hair in that area by the time the sow day came. I swear by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I use rosehip oil on my scars (thanks SF army) and i have a few and it has reduced them quite considerably, i have tryed other products but this one works the best, but i do use it everyday to the scared areas, i dont know if its safe on dogs, but its only a natural oil so it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I once used a combination of sea minerals, emu oil and honey for a horse that had a major injury resulting in an operation on his knee. The wound was so large it covered the front half of his leg from halfway down the cannon to 10cm or so above the knee. All the hair grew back very quickly with no visable scarring, it was amazing to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 when the stitches are out the Calendula cream will encourage the hair to grow back. My Collie was bitten on her"stop" by a wasp 2 wks before a big show and witht the use of Calendula cream she had hair in that area by the time the sow day came. I swear by it. So, would this work on men who are going bald? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 also repair from the inside out, I'd give either a good multi vitamin containing zinc and vit e, or just zinc and E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haven Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Excellent point Warley. Actually gentle regular massage of the area once the would has healed completely could stimulate the hair follicles and encourage hair growth, it does in humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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