My dog, who has just turned one, hurt his paw last Saturday. He was running through the hedges after his sister and cut himself on a branch, opening up the side of his front paw. As it was the weekend, we took him to the vet this Tuesday and he had two stitches put in. The problem is he won't stop licking it and he's already managed to pull one stitch out. He's also ripping off the dressing I've been making with gauze, bandages and Elastoplast—and the worst thing is he's eating them, as I can't find anything left except the Elastoplast.
I've been trying to keep an eye on his poo but haven't found anything yet. Is there a risk of a bowel obstruction? What symptoms should I look out for? Also, how can I stop him from ripping his bandages off again? Thanks in advance for your help.
Translated from French
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Kayouwiro, you’ve got me worried now! I really hope nothing happens to my pup like what happened to yours, but thanks for getting back to me anyway... At the moment he’s in great form, still has loads of energy and a good appetite. I’m hoping I’ll find the gauze in his poo; I’ll be keeping a very close eye on things.
Elvira, P'titefleur, Toller, thanks to the three of you for your messages. I did think about a cone, but he’s not calm enough to wear one; he’d probably end up hurting himself while playing with Prune. He hasn’t touched his dressing today, so I’ll keep a close watch and hope it stays that way.
Thanks everyone! ;-)
Get a cone, it’s the best solution. At first, he’ll try to get it off; just keep an eye on him so he doesn’t hurt his mouth trying to hook it off. I’ve known it to happen to people before.
Be really careful he doesn't eat any more of it. My dog had an intestinal blockage earlier this week, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone—it’s really no joke...
As for symptoms, mine started throwing up everything he ate, or rather, he was "regurgitating" (bringing it back up almost immediately after eating). He also started getting really tired and lethargic. I took him to the vet; he had a temperature, and they saw something was blocking his gut on the X-ray, so he had to have surgery.
Your dog might manage to pass it, and you'll find it in his poo (fingers crossed for you). But it could also sit in his stomach for a while and only move into his intestine in a few days (or even weeks), causing a blockage then—that’s exactly what happened with mine.
