A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a mass of tissue from your dog's body. While the operation itself can be scary for dog owners and uncomfortable for the dog, the post operative care is much the same as any other surgery that involves sutures, such as a routine spay or neuter.
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Understanding a Lumpectomy
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This procedure is indicated in masses that are cancerous, suspected to be malignant, rapidly growing or otherwise changing or ulcerative. Non-healing wounds and masses that restrict normal functions are also fixed using a lumpectomy. The term usually refers to masses that are on or just under the skin. Your veterinarian will do pre-surgical screening and monitoring throughout the procedure to ensure minimal problems occur during the post-operative stages.
Suture Basics
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Lumpectomy surgeries almost exclusively utilize absorbable suture material. These sutures are placed as the wound is closed and are fixed internally. The sutures work through several layers of your dog's skin, with some sutures visible to the eye and others not. Over a period of time, up to two weeks depending upon the material, your dog's body will break down the suture material as the skin that was sutured together heals naturally.
In certain cases, a veterinarian will place non-absorbable sutures at the boundaries of the area where the mass was removed. This ensures that the proper area is looked at in the follow-up exam, and allows your veterinarian to make sure all the tissue was removed satisfactorily. In the worst case scenario, these suture markers indicate the spots needed in the planning of a future surgery.
Suture Care
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To care for your dog's sutures after a lumpectomy, you will need to observe the area. Examine it twice a day for any discharge or foul odors. The area will be red, sore and swollen to a certain degree, but this should diminish with each day, disappearing almost completely by the end of the first week after surgery. If swelling or redness increases, or a foul odor and discharge are noted, you should contact your veterinarian. A small amount of bleeding is considered normal during the first 24 hours after surgery, but if the wound bleeds after this period or bleeds profusely, it should be considered a medical emergency.
Restrict your dog's activity for seven to 10 days following the procedure or according to your veterinarian's instructions. Excessive activity could dislodge the sutures or tear the skin around them. For similar reasons, prohibit your dog from licking or chewing at the sutures. Because the suture material is absorbable and is broken down by your dog's body, it needs to stay as dry as possible. Do not bathe your dog or expose her to inclement weather.
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