A cat's surgical wound can look perfectly healed on the surface while still being at serious risk of opening.

Cat skin heals more slowly and with less tensile strength than dog skin at the same point in recovery. Research has measured sutured cat wounds at only half the breaking strength of equivalently sutured dog wounds at seven days post-surgery.

That single fact changes how seriously you need to take activity restriction, E-collar use, and monitoring in cats.

Quick answer: Dehiscence is the breakdown and reopening of a surgically closed wound. Cats are at higher dehiscence risk than dogs because their skin heals more slowly, has fewer cutaneous blood vessels, and builds tensile strength more gradually. The most common causes in cats are licking, excessive activity, and infection. Prevention requires consistent E-collar or recovery suit use for the full post-operative period, strict activity restriction, and daily wound monitoring.

Key takeaways

• Cat sutured wounds are half as strong as dog wounds at 7 days: This is measured fact, not an approximation. The implication for activity restriction and suture-removal timing is significant.
• Licking is the single most common cause of dehiscence in cats: Cats are meticulous groomers and extremely persistent in accessing wounds.
• Dehiscence can happen even when the surface looks healed: Internal layers may still be vulnerable when the skin surface appears closed.
• Infection significantly raises dehiscence risk: Bacterial enzymes degrade suture material and surrounding tissue, undermining wound integrity.
• Recovery suits are often better tolerated than cones in cats: But they must fully cover the wound without creating pressure.
• Wound reopening is a surgical emergency: Do not wait to contact your vet if a sutured wound separates.

Why cats are at higher dehiscence risk than dogs

This is not widely appreciated by cat owners, and even some general veterinary guidance treats cats and dogs as equivalent in terms of wound care.

They are not equivalent. Research comparing cutaneous wound healing in cats and dogs found several key differences.

Cats have fewer cutaneous perforating vessels: Their trunk skin has a lower density of blood vessels than dog skin. Lower vessel density means lower tissue perfusion, and lower perfusion means slower initial healing.

Breaking strength builds more slowly: In the landmark comparison study by Bohling et al., sutured wounds in cats reached only half the breaking strength of equivalently sutured dog wounds by day seven. This means a cat's wound is substantially more vulnerable to disruption at the point when many owners assume healing is well advanced.

Cats produce less granulation tissue: In open wounds healing by secondary intention, cats generate significantly less granulation tissue than dogs, and what forms distributes differently. This affects the speed of wound closure and the structural quality of repaired tissue.

The clinical implication: Suture removal timing, activity restriction duration, and monitoring intensity all need to account for the fact that a cat's wound at ten days post-surgery is not as strong as a dog's wound would be at the same point.

What is wound dehiscence?

Dehiscence is the breakdown and separation of a surgically closed wound. The sutured edges pull apart, exposing the underlying tissue.

It can be partial, where only a portion of the wound reopens, or complete, where the entire incision separates. In abdominal surgeries, complete dehiscence carries the risk of evisceration, where internal organs protrude through the opening. This is a surgical emergency.

Dehiscence differs from normal surface healing variation. A small amount of scabbing, minor surface irregularity, or a small clear serum pocket near the incision is not dehiscence. Dehiscence is when the edges of the wound visibly separate and the wound is no longer closed.

The most common causes in cats

Licking and chewing

In most cases, dehiscence in cats results from the cat accessing the wound. A cat that licks an incision does several things simultaneously: it physically disrupts forming tissue, applies abrasive mechanical force to fragile sutures, and continuously introduces oral bacteria.

Even a brief, unobserved licking session can undo days of healing. Cats are highly motivated and creative in reaching wounds, including angles that seem impossible.

For a clear understanding of spay incision complications in cats, including how licking specifically contributes to spay incision dehiscence and what the signs look like, that guide covers the spay-specific incision risk in detail.

The E-collar or recovery suit must be in place at all times, including overnight, until the veterinarian confirms healing at the recheck appointment.

Excessive activity

Cats recover faster than most owners expect and will attempt to resume normal activity, including jumping, climbing, and running, within days of major surgery.

Every jump landing puts mechanical stress on an abdominal incision. Every climbing session extends and flexes the tissue around a flank incision. These forces work directly against the tensile strength that is slowly building across the wound.

Strict confinement for the full post-operative restriction period is not optional. A room with no high surfaces, no furniture to jump onto, and no access to stairs is the appropriate recovery environment.

Infection

Bacteria produce enzymes, including collagenase, that actively degrade the suture material and the collagen-based tissue being rebuilt around the wound. An infected incision is far more likely to dehisce than a clean one.

For understanding what happens when wounds fail to close properly and how wounds that have dehisced are subsequently managed, that guide covers secondary intention healing in detail, including the management pathway for wounds that can no longer be sutured closed.

Recognizing early infection signs, warmth, redness, discharge, and odor, and contacting your vet immediately prevents the progression from localized infection to wound breakdown.

Tension on the closure

Surgeons aim to close wounds with appropriate but not excessive tension. However, swelling, weight gain, or movement at an inopportune time can increase tension on sutures beyond what the healing tissue can withstand.

Keeping cats at their normal weight during recovery and restricting movement minimizes the mechanical forces working against the closure.

Suture-related factors

Sutures placed too close to the wound edge, suture material that degrades faster than expected in an inflamed wound, or knots that fail under tension can all contribute to dehiscence. These are surgical factors outside the owner's control, but they underscore why post-operative care at home is so important as a compensating measure.

Recognizing dehiscence early

Early signs:

• The incision line appears to be gapping or separating
• One or more sutures appear missing or have pulled through the skin
• Increased discharge from a point along the incision
• The wound surface looks open rather than closed
• Visible tissue beneath the skin surface

Emergency signs requiring immediate veterinary contact:

• Visible internal tissue or organs through the wound opening
• Any abdominal incision that separates more than a few millimeters
• Rapid deterioration: your cat becoming distressed, limp, or unresponsive

If you notice any wound separation, cover the area loosely with a clean, damp cloth and take your cat to a veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to clean or close the wound yourself.

Prevention: what owners can control

E-collar and recovery suit

The E-collar must fit correctly. It needs to extend past the tip of your cat's nose by at least two inches. Shorter cones allow a flexible cat to reach the wound.

Recovery suits, when properly fitted, cover the wound without applying pressure to it. They allow cats to eat, drink, and move their faces normally, which many cats tolerate better than rigid cones. Confirm the suit completely covers the wound site and cannot be removed by the cat.

Use whichever works in practice. The one that actually stays on is the right one.

Strict confinement

Confine your cat to a room with no high surfaces for the full activity restriction period recommended by your veterinarian. This is typically ten to fourteen days for routine surgeries and longer for more complex procedures.

Block access to couches, beds, windowsills, and cat trees. A bathroom, laundry room, or large dog crate with food, water, and a litter box at floor level works well.

Daily wound monitoring

Check the incision morning and evening. Look for:

• Redness that is spreading beyond day three
• Discharge that is increasing or changing from clear to yellow or green
• Any visible separation of the wound edges
• Heat at the wound site persisting beyond the first few days

For distinguishing infection from wound breakdown during monitoring, that guide covers the visual signs of each clearly, with a day-by-day comparison of what is normal versus what needs veterinary attention.

Follow-up appointments

Do not skip the post-operative recheck. For most routine feline surgeries, this occurs at ten to fourteen days.

Given that cat wound tensile strength is only 50% of dogs at day seven, the ten to fourteen day mark is when the vet assesses whether the wound has reached sufficient strength for suture removal. Removing sutures too early in a cat is a meaningful dehiscence risk.

If you are uncertain whether healing is progressing normally between your cat's discharge and the recheck appointment, contact your vet and describe what you are seeing. A photo sent by phone can often resolve the question without requiring a visit.

If dehiscence has already occurred

When a wound reopens, the approach depends on the degree of dehiscence and the state of the underlying tissue.

Minor partial dehiscence with healthy tissue: The vet may clean the wound and allow it to heal by secondary intention, or re-suture after debridement.

For context on how dehiscence prevention differs between dogs and cats, the dog-specific guide covers the canine risk factors and prevention strategies side by side, which is useful for households with both species recovering from surgery.

Significant dehiscence with infected or necrotic tissue: Debridement is required before re-closure. Open wound management with daily cleaning and dressing changes may be needed for days to weeks before re-suturing.

Abdominal dehiscence with evisceration: Immediate surgery. Cover the protruding tissue with a clean, moistened cloth during transport. Do not attempt to push tissue back.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I keep the E-collar on my cat after surgery?

Until your veterinarian confirms at the recheck appointment that the wound is sufficiently healed. For most routine feline surgeries, this is ten to fourteen days. Given that cat wound strength builds more slowly than in dogs, it is better to err on the side of leaving it on longer rather than shorter.

My cat removed the cone. How do I prevent this?

Try a properly fitted soft recovery collar, which is often tolerated better by cats than rigid plastic cones. Alternatively, a recovery suit is effective for abdominal wounds. If your cat is genuinely distressed by all physical barriers, ask your vet whether a short-term mild sedative for the recovery period is appropriate.

The wound looks closed but a small section seems soft. Is that dehiscence?

A small seroma (fluid pocket) can develop near a healing incision and feel soft without being dehiscence. However, any area where you can see a gap between wound edges, even a small one, warrants a same-day call to your vet. Describe what you are seeing and follow their guidance.

Can I clean a dehisced wound at home?

No. A reopened surgical wound, particularly an abdominal incision, requires veterinary assessment before any home management. Home cleaning of a dehisced wound risks introducing bacteria to an already compromised area. Contact your vet immediately.

Cats require more careful post-operative wound management than most owners realize, primarily because their skin simply takes longer to heal to a safe tensile strength. The prevention of dehiscence in cats comes down to three consistent actions: keeping the E-collar or recovery suit on at all times, enforcing strict activity restriction, and monitoring the wound daily. If any of these lapses, the risk increases substantially.

Resources

The following sources were used as reference and background for this article:

• Bohling, M.W. et al. (2004). Cutaneous wound healing in the cat: a macroscopic description and comparison with cutaneous wound healing in the dog. Veterinary Surgery. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Claeys, S. (2016). Dehiscence. In Complications in Small Animal Surgery. Wiley. onlinelibrary.wiley.com
• MSPCA-Angell. Wound Dehiscence: Causes, Prevention, Management. mspca.org
• Catwatch Newsletter. All About Incisions. catwatchnewsletter.com
• Veterian Key. Wound Healing. veteriankey.com
• WSAVA. Notions, Potions or Lotions? Acute Wound Management in Dogs and Cats. vin.com

TPLO surgery creates one of the most mechanically demanding wound closure environments in small animal surgery. The incision is placed over a joint that the dog begins loading within days. The underlying repair involves bone cutting and plate fixation. And the patient is often a large, active dog whose energy level returns faster than the tissues heal.

Getting the closure right every layer, the right material, the right tension is what keeps the infection risk low and the repair protected through the critical 8 to 12 week healing period.

Quick answer: TPLO closure proceeds in four layers: (1) joint capsule PDS 0 to 2-0, simple continuous or interrupted pattern to restore synovial seal; (2) deep fascia / muscle fascia PDS 0 to 2-0, continuous or interrupted; (3) subcutaneous tissue Monocryl or Vicryl 2-0 to 3-0, simple continuous; (4) skin interrupted nylon 3-0 to 4-0 or staples (staples are widely used for TPLO skin closure for speed). External sutures or staples are removed at 10 to 14 days. Activity restriction continues for 8 to 12 weeks regardless of wound appearance.

Key takeaways

• Joint capsule closure is the most critical TPLO layer: restores synovial seal and protects the implant.
• PDS 0 to 2-0 is standard for joint capsule and fascial closure; long retention matches healing timeline.
• Staples are commonly used for TPLO skin closure because they are fast to place and tolerate some movement.
• The underlying plate and bone are permanent implants infection at the closure site can reach them, making aseptic technique non-negotiable.
• Activity restriction through 8 to 12 weeks protects both the closure and the osteotomy healing regardless of wound appearance.
• Infection risk at TPLO sites is higher due to implant presence; monofilament in all buried layers is essential.

Why TPLO closure differs from standard orthopedic incisions

TPLO creates a unique closure environment because of what lies directly beneath the incision:

• A stainless steel or titanium plate with multiple screws, fixed to the tibia
• A tibial osteotomy site (bone cut) healing under controlled load
• The lateral joint capsule opened for surgical access
• Implants that cannot mount an immune response if bacteria reach them

Any closure failure whether from suture material choice, inadequate dead space elimination, or post-operative licking creates a direct pathway toward implant-associated infection. This is a significantly more serious consequence than infection after a routine spay or skin mass removal.

For the general principles of orthopedic incision closure that apply here, see orthopedic incision closure principles.

Layer 1: Joint capsule

Why this layer matters most

The joint capsule closure restores the synovial seal. Failure here allows:

• Synovial fluid leakage into the subcutaneous tissue
• External bacteria to access the joint space and implant surface
• Loss of the pressure environment that supports bone healing

Technique and material

Pattern: simple continuous or interrupted, based on capsule length and tissue quality.

Material: PDS (polydioxanone) 0 to 2-0 on a taper-point needle

• PDS retains approximately 70% of tensile strength at 2 weeks and 50% at 4 to 6 weeks
• Monofilament surface: minimal bacterial adhesion
• Absorbed over 180 to 210 days long after joint capsule healing is complete

Bite technique: full-thickness bites through the capsule wall, ensuring every bite incorporates the fibrous capsule layer. Partial-thickness bites fail under joint motion.

What not to use: braided absorbable sutures (Vicryl) in this layer the braided structure wicks bacteria from the joint environment along the suture strand, creating a direct infection pathway to the implant.

Layer 2: Deep fascia and muscle fascia

After joint capsule closure, the deep fascial layers overlying the surgical field are closed.

Pattern: simple continuous or interrupted absorbable

Material: PDS 0 to 2-0, sized to patient

Key principle: the fascial layer must be engaged in each bite not just the muscle belly. Muscle tissue is not load-bearing in this context and tears through under the repetitive mechanical load of the dog's movement.

Dead space: the space created by elevating the muscle and retracting the patellar tendon must be managed at this layer. Inadequate closure here leads to hematoma or seroma formation directly over the implant.

For how the fascial layer closure relates to infection risk in orthopedic cases, see infection risk in orthopedic closure.

Layer 3: Subcutaneous tissue

Pattern: simple continuous absorbable

Material: Monocryl 2-0 to 3-0, or Vicryl 2-0 to 3-0

Purpose: eliminate dead space between the deep closure and the skin. In large breed dogs with significant subcutaneous fat, this layer requires careful attention inadequately closed dead space over a TPLO plate creates a seroma risk that can progress to implant contamination.

Drain consideration: if significant dead space cannot be eliminated by suturing common after TPLO in obese patients drain placement is indicated. The drain exits through a stab incision separate from the primary wound.

For the full post-operative monitoring checklist that begins from this closure, see post-operative monitoring after TPLO closure.

Layer 4: Skin closure

Why staples are common for TPLO skin closure

Staples are placed in 2 to 3 seconds each, compared to 15 to 30 seconds per interrupted suture. For a 10 to 15 cm TPLO incision, this difference is clinically meaningful reducing anesthesia time in a procedure that is already longer than routine soft tissue surgery.

Published research (PMC9913468) confirms equivalent healing outcomes between staples and interrupted external sutures in dogs. Staples require a specific removal tool at the 10 to 14 day recheck.

The one specific TPLO caution: MSPCA-Angell notes that staples are prone to deforming and opening under sustained high tension. For TPLO closures where significant wound tension exists (large, heavily muscled dogs), interrupted sutures or tension-relieving patterns may be more appropriate.

Intradermal closure as an alternative

For TPLO patients where E-collar compliance is uncertain or the owner preference is for no removal visit, 4-0 Monocryl intradermal closure is appropriate. Published data (JAVMA 2026, 96 TPLO patients) specifically confirms that taper-point needles are non-inferior to reverse cutting needles for intradermal TPLO skin closure.

Suture size guide by patient

For the suture size selection framework that underpins these choices, see suture size selection for orthopedic cases.

Post-operative monitoring after TPLO closure

The TPLO closure is subject to the same monitoring principles as any orthopedic closure but with higher stakes because of the implant below.

Twice-daily checks for 14 days:

• Wound edges apposed; no gaps
• Swelling decreasing from peak (days 2 to 4) increasing swelling after day 5 is a concern
• No discharge, or only a small amount of serous crust at suture sites
• No odor

Suture/staple removal: day 10 to 14 at the post-operative recheck.

Activity restriction continues regardless of wound healing: the wound surface may look healed at 2 weeks, but the osteotomy site and the joint capsule are still in the early repair phase. Activity restriction (leash walks only, no running or jumping) continues for 8 to 12 weeks.

For the full closure protocol checklist applicable to TPLO, see closure checklist for TPLO procedures.

Frequently asked questions

My dog had TPLO and the vet used staples on the skin. Is that standard?

Yes. Staples are widely used for TPLO skin closure because they are fast to place, handle movement well, and produce equivalent cosmetic outcomes to external sutures in published veterinary research. The staple remover visit at day 10 to 14 is a brief, low-stress procedure.

The skin around my dog's TPLO site looks healed at day 10. Can activity restriction end now?

No. Surface healing does not indicate complete repair at any layer below the skin. At day 10, the joint capsule is in the early repair phase, the fascial layers are at 30 to 50% of original tensile strength, and the tibial osteotomy is still consolidating. Activity restriction continues for 8 to 12 weeks from surgery the wound appearance at day 10 is not the relevant endpoint.

What are signs of infection at a TPLO site that require urgent care?

Early: increasing redness or warmth beyond the wound margin, excessive swelling appearing after day 4 to 5, any purulent discharge. These require same-day veterinary contact. Later signs: fever, lethargy, inappetence combined with wound changes these may indicate implant-associated infection and require immediate assessment. Do not wait for the scheduled recheck if these signs appear.

TPLO closure carries high stakes because the implant beneath the wound is unforgiving of infection. Every closure decision monofilament in buried layers, adequate dead space elimination, correct skin closure method, strict activity restriction is made to protect both the wound and the surgical repair it covers. A closure that holds for 10 days is not enough; it must hold for 12 weeks.

Resources

• Clinician's Brief. How to Fine-Tune Suture Choices for Today's Veterinarian. cliniciansbrief.com
• JAVMA 2026 (Kieves et al.). Taper Suture Needles Are Noninferior to Reverse Cutting Needles for Intradermal Skin Closures in TPLO. avmajournals.avma.org
• PMC9913468 (University of Thessaly). Evaluation of Incisional Wound Healing in Dogs after Closure with Staples or Tissue Glue vs. Intradermal Suture. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• VCA Animal Hospitals. Care of Surgical Incisions in Dogs. vcahospitals.com

Surgical drains are not a sign that something went wrong. They are a deliberate clinical decision a way of managing fluid that the body will inevitably produce in response to dead space, contamination, or tissue injury, before that fluid becomes a seroma, abscess, or infection.

The closure decisions made around a drain placement site are as important as the drain itself. Where the drain exits, how it is secured, and how the primary wound is closed relative to the drain all affect whether the drain works as intended.

Quick answer: Surgical drains exit through a separate stab incision at least 1 cm from the primary wound closure never through the primary incision itself, as this increases wound dehiscence risk. Passive Penrose drains are secured with 1 to 2 simple interrupted nonabsorbable sutures at the exit site. Active closed-suction drains (Jackson-Pratt) are secured with a purse-string suture at the exit and a Chinese finger-trap suture to prevent migration. The primary wound is closed normally in layers above and around the drain.

Key takeaways

• Drains exit through a separate stab incision, not through the primary wound this protects the primary closure from dehiscence.
• Passive Penrose drains are secured at the exit with 1 to 2 simple interrupted nonabsorbable sutures.
• Active Jackson-Pratt drains use a purse-string exit seal and Chinese finger-trap suture for secure fixation.
• The exit site is not sutured closed at removal it heals by second intention.
• Drains typically remain 2 to 7 days depending on output volume and color.
• Never fenestrate a Penrose drain this reduces surface area for capillary drainage and increases tearing risk at removal.

When drains are placed

Drains are placed when the surgeon cannot eliminate dead space through suturing alone, or when significant contamination or fluid production is expected post-closure.

Common indications:

• Large dead space after mass excision (tumor removal, extensive soft tissue dissection)
• Contaminated wounds where seroma infection risk is high
• Seroma or abscess drainage after established fluid pockets
• Abdominal drainage after peritonitis, bile peritonitis, or uroabdomen

For how dead space elimination through suturing reduces the need for drains, see dead space management and when drains are needed. For how proper drain placement prevents seroma formation, see seroma prevention with drain placement.

Passive vs. active drains

Passive drains (Penrose)

A flat latex tube that relies on gravity and capillary action to draw fluid from the wound to the external exit. Fluid seeps along the outer surface of the tube.

Properties:

• Works by gravity and capillary action must exit at the most dependent (lowest) part of the wound pocket
• Requires an open exit (not sealed) to function
• Simple, inexpensive, easily placed
• Higher risk of retrograde bacterial contamination than active drains keep the exit covered with a sterile bandage

DVM360: "Passive drains need to exit at the most dependent part of the wound or abscess pocket and must be covered at all times."

Active drains (Jackson-Pratt, closed-suction)

A perforated tube connected to a sealed collection reservoir that maintains gentle negative pressure, actively pulling fluid from the wound.

Properties:

• Works independently of gravity can be positioned in locations where passive drainage would fail
• Closed system lower bacterial contamination risk
• More expensive; requires a functional reservoir
• Better for high-volume drainage or wounds in areas of high movement (axilla, groin)

Clinician's Brief: "Active drains are secured with a purse-string suture to create a seal and a finger-trap suture to hold it in place."

Drain placement technique: where the exit goes

The drain exit site is not through the primary incision. It must be separate.

Clinician's Brief (Wound Drain Placement): "Exit the drain through a separate incision at least 1 cm from the primary suture line. Exiting drains through the primary incision line increases the risk for wound dehiscence."

DVM360 (Surgical Drains in Small Animal Wound Management): "It should not exit along the lines or within the plane of wound closure, as this may provide an entry point for bacteria or may result in dehiscence and additional drainage along the suture line."

Stab incision technique:

1. With the primary wound fully closed, the surgeon uses hemostatic forceps to tunnel subcutaneously from the wound cavity to the planned exit point
2. A scalpel stab incision is made over the tip of the forceps at the exit site
3. The drain is pulled through the stab incision to the external surface
4. The drain is secured with exit sutures

The stab incision is sized to match the drain diameter tight enough that the drain does not slide freely but not so tight that it impedes drainage.

How drains are secured: suture technique at the exit

Penrose drain

DVM360: "1 or 2 simple interrupted nonabsorbable sutures are placed through the drain and into the skin at the exit hole."

The suture passes through the drain material itself and through the skin, holding the drain at the correct depth. The suture should be placed through the last 1 mm of the drain on one side securing it without impeding drainage flow or making removal difficult.

Important: tacking the proximal (deep, internal) end of the Penrose drain inside the wound is done cautiously. DVM360 cautions: "Tacking the proximal aspect of the Penrose drain can only be considered with caution, as this can create a natural tension causing potential for drain breakage deep inside the wound."

Do not fenestrate the Penrose drain. Vettimes: "The drain should not be fenestrated as this will reduce the surface area for capillary flow and increase the risk of tearing at the time of removal."

Jackson-Pratt drain (closed suction)

Two-suture fixation:

1. Purse-string suture at exit: a circular suture around the drain at the exit site, tightened to create a seal around the drain and prevent leakage
2. Chinese finger-trap suture: a wrapping pattern along the external portion of the drain tubing, providing robust fixation that resists the pull of the collection reservoir

Clinician's Brief notes the Chinese finger-trap suture should be easily distinguishable from the primary wound sutures, so it is not accidentally cut at suture removal time.

Primary wound closure around the drain

The primary wound is closed normally in layers subcutaneous closure, then skin above and around the drain, which runs out to its separate exit site.

Key principle: the drain does not pass through any of the primary closure layers. The wound closes completely around the drain, which then tunnels subcutaneously to its separate exit.

For how drain placement relates to the layered closure sequence, see drain placement in layered closure context.

Monitoring drain output at home

VCA Animal Hospitals: "Fluid should be draining from the Penrose drain's end, but the fluid amount should decrease every day. There should not be excessive fresh blood, active bleeding, or increasingly unpleasant, thick, or smelly discharge."

Normal drain output progression:

• Days 1 to 2: serosanguinous (blood-tinged watery fluid), moderate volume
• Days 2 to 4: decreasing volume, clearing toward serous (pale yellow or clear)
• Days 4 to 7: minimal volume, fully serous drain is ready for removal

Signs requiring same-day vet contact:

• Volume increasing rather than decreasing after day 2
• Output becoming purulent (thick, green, or yellow) or foul-smelling
• Fresh active bleeding from the drain
• Drain pulled inward (disappearing under the skin) or pulled outward (partially extruded)

For the post-operative monitoring protocol that includes drain assessment, see post-operative monitoring with drain in place.

Drain removal

Timing: VCA: "Drains should be removed as soon as possible, usually within 2 to 4 days. For larger, more extensive wounds, drains may need to stay in place longer."

Most soft tissue drains are removed at 2 to 7 days. Abdominal drains after peritonitis may remain longer depending on drainage character.

Removal technique:

• Penrose: cut the exit suture(s), pull the drain out with a swift, smooth traction
• Jackson-Pratt: cut the Chinese finger-trap suture, disconnect the reservoir, slide the drain out

Vettimes: "Penrose drains are removed by cutting the single external simple interrupted suture, then swiftly tugging the drain to release the tube from its internal anchorage point."

After removal: the exit hole is not sutured. It heals by second intention typically within 3 to 5 days. Keep the area clean with saline until sealed.

Verify complete removal: count the drain length removed against the length inserted. A retained drain fragment is a serious complication requiring surgical retrieval.

Frequently asked questions

My dog has a drain coming from a separate hole next to the incision. Is that normal?

Yes that is the intended placement. The drain exits through a stab incision separate from the primary wound closure. Having the drain exit away from the main incision protects the primary wound from dehiscence and contamination. Both the main incision and the drain exit site should be monitored.

Can my cat remove the drain at home?

Cats frequently attempt to remove drains. An E-collar must be worn at all times until the drain is removed by the vet. Even with an E-collar, some cats are agile enough to reach wounds check drain integrity twice daily. If the drain has been dislodged, contact your vet the same day.

Why doesn't the vet just suture the drain hole closed after the drain comes out?

The exit tract is left to heal by second intention because suturing it closed traps any residual fluid or bacteria that may be present in the tract. Healing open allows this to drain and epithelialize naturally. The resulting healed site is typically a small, flat scar.

Surgical drains work only when the closure around them maintains what the drain is trying to accomplish: fluid exits through the drain, not through a compromised wound closure. The separate exit site, the correct fixation sutures, and the correct coverage all of these protect both the drain's function and the primary wound's integrity simultaneously.

Resources

• Clinician's Brief. Wound Drain Placement: Step-by-Step Veterinary Guide. cliniciansbrief.com
• DVM360. Surgical Drains Are Useful in Small Animal Wound Management. dvm360.com
• Today's Veterinary Practice. Surgical Drains: Placement, Management, and Removal. todaysveterinarypractice.com
• VCA Animal Hospitals. Penrose Drain Discharge Instructions for Dogs. vcahospitals.com

Cats are not cooperative surgical patients. They lick their wounds, hide signs of discomfort, and will often remove sutures themselves long before the scheduled recheck. This makes the two-week post-surgical period more demanding for owners than it is for dogs.

Knowing when sutures should come out and why the timing matters helps you recognize both early and late removal risks before they become complications.

Quick answer: Most external cat sutures (nylon, Prolene, staples) are removed 10 to 14 days after surgery, once the skin has healed sufficiently to hold without mechanical support. VCA confirms: "If your cat's incision has non-dissolving sutures, staples, or stent sutures, they are usually removed 10 to 14 days after surgery." Factors that extend timing include age, immune status, high-tension wounds, and poor nutrition. Intradermal absorbable sutures dissolve on their own and require no removal.

Key takeaways

• The standard removal window is 10 to 14 days for external non-absorbable sutures in healthy adult cats.
• Intradermal absorbable sutures require no removal visit they dissolve internally over 60 to 120 days.
• Cats heal slightly faster superficially than large breed dogs, but their thin skin tolerates suture marks poorly.
• Age, immune status, and steroid use can slow healing and may require sutures to stay in longer.
• Sutures removed before day 10 risk wound dehiscence in most cats.
• Sutures left beyond 14 to 16 days risk suture-track irritation and permanent suture marks in feline skin.

The healing timeline in cats

Skin wounds in cats heal through the same three phases as dogs:

Inflammation (days 0 to 4): redness, mild swelling, warmth. The wound is fragile and cannot hold without sutures.

Repair / proliferation (days 4 to 14): fibroblasts lay down collagen. Tensile strength rebuilds progressively. By day 10 to 12, most cat wounds have adequate strength for suture removal.

Maturation (day 21 onward): collagen reorganization continues. The scar matures over weeks to months, long after suture removal.

VCA Animal Hospitals (Care of Surgical Incisions in Cats): "If your cat's incision has non-dissolving sutures, staples, or stent sutures, they are usually removed 10 to 14 days after surgery, depending on the type of surgery performed."

The 10-to-14-day window corresponds to the end of the active repair phase when the wound has adequate intrinsic strength but before suture-track complications become a significant risk.

Why timing matters in cats specifically

Feline skin is thin and delicate

Cat skin tears more readily at suture entry points than dog skin. Sutures left significantly beyond 14 days create pronounced suture marks that can be permanent. This matters most in visible areas (face, lateral thorax) and in cats with fine-coated or white fur where scars are visible.

Catwatch (Cornell Feline Health Center newsletter): "For sutures closed with non-absorbable suture or with staples, you will usually be instructed to bring your cat in for suture removal 10 to 14 days after surgery."

Cats lick wounds aggressively

A cat that is allowed to lick its incision may remove sutures within hours. The licking itself introduces oral bacteria to the wound and mechanically disrupts the healing surface. If sutures are self-removed early, the wound must be assessed by a vet immediately it may need re-closure or open management depending on how much healing has occurred.

Reduced owner compliance with E-collar

Cats tolerate E-collars poorly. Some owners remove the collar early. This significantly increases the risk of suture self-removal and wound trauma. If your cat cannot tolerate a standard E-collar, discuss alternatives (inflatable collar, surgical suit) with your vet before the recheck.

Factors that change removal timing

Quora/veterinary consensus: "Some cats heal slower (older, diabetic, on corticosteroids, or immunocompromised). These may need sutures left longer or closer monitoring."

For how the same timing factors apply in dogs for comparison, see suture removal timing in dogs.

Signs the wound is ready for removal

Your vet will assess the wound at the scheduled recheck. Signs of readiness:

• Skin edges fully apposed with no visible gap
• No redness extending beyond the immediate wound margin
• No discharge, or only a small amount of dried crust at suture sites
• Wound feels firm and dry when gently palpated
• Cat is not showing pain or guarding when the wound area is touched

If any of these findings are absent, the vet may reschedule the removal or opt for partial removal (taking alternate sutures) to assess wound integrity.

What happens if sutures are left too long

Feline skin begins to epithelialize down the suture tract after approximately 10 to 14 days. The longer non-absorbable sutures stay in, the more pronounced this track becomes. Consequences of delayed removal:

• Suture-track irritation: the tissue around each suture becomes red, raised, and itchy which increases licking behavior
• Epithelialized suture tracks: permanent narrow channels at each suture site (the crosshatch pattern)
• Suture-track infection: bacteria colonize the partially epithelialized tract
• Embedded sutures: skin grows over the knot, requiring local anesthetic and minor surgery to retrieve

For context on how these complications are classified as common closure errors, see suture timing errors in closure.

Absorbable intradermal sutures: no removal required

Many vets use intradermal (subcuticular) absorbable sutures for cat spays, tumor removals, and other elective procedures. These sutures run horizontally within the dermis and dissolve over 60 to 120 days.

Owner expectations:

• No external suture material is visible
• No removal visit is required
• A faint linear ridge may be palpable under the skin for several weeks this is the suture material and is normal
• The scar is finer and produces no suture marks

For full intradermal technique detail in cats, see intradermal closure details in cats. For the cat spay-specific closure protocol using intradermal sutures, see intradermal sutures in cat spay closure.

The removal procedure in cats

Most cats tolerate suture removal well with gentle restraint, though anxious cats may need mild sedation.

What happens:

1. The vet or technician clips or wipes any dried crust from the suture site
2. Small scissors or suture scissors cut under the knot at one arm
3. The suture is pulled through in one smooth motion
4. The wound is assessed for any separation or signs of incomplete healing

For cats, the removal should be done gently and quickly. Prolonged restraint causes stress that can interfere with subsequent wound assessment.

VCA: "Most skin stitches or sutures are removed 7 to 14 days after the operation; the actual time depends on the type of surgery performed. Your veterinarian will tell you if and when your cat should return for suture removal."

Frequently asked questions

My cat's spay was done with intradermal sutures. Is a recheck visit still needed?

Yes, even without external sutures, the vet needs to assess the wound at 10 to 14 days. They check that the incision is fully closed, the subcutaneous closure is intact, and there are no early signs of seroma or infection. No suture removal is needed, but wound assessment is still important.

My cat removed some of her sutures on day 8. What should I do?

Contact your vet the same day. At day 8, the wound is in the active repair phase but has not yet reached full suture-independent strength in most cats. If several sutures are missing, the wound may need reassessment and possible re-closure. Bring the cat in rather than waiting until the scheduled recheck.

Is it safe to remove sutures a couple of days late?

A day or two past the 14-day mark is generally acceptable. Quora/veterinary consensus: "Day 16 is generally safe and often fine; many veterinarians remove external sutures between 10 and 14 days but a few extra days usually do not harm healing." Focus on wound appearance rather than the calendar alone.

Suture removal timing in cats balances two risks: removing too early (wound reopens) and leaving too long (suture marks, tract infection). The 10-to-14-day standard represents the window where most cat wounds have enough intrinsic strength to hold while the suture-track clock has not yet run out. What confirms readiness is the wound, not the date.

Resources

• VCA Animal Hospitals. Care of Surgical Incisions in Cats. vcahospitals.com
• VCA Animal Hospitals. Post-Operative Instructions in Cats. vcahospitals.com
• Catwatch (Cornell Feline Health Center). All About Incisions. catwatchnewsletter.com

Large breed dogs present a specific wound closure challenge: when skin is removed or lost over the trunk, there is often not enough laxity to simply pull the edges together. Pulling too hard creates tension. Tension causes ischemia. Ischemia causes dehiscence.

Walking sutures solve this by redistributing the tension before the skin edges ever come together.

Quick answer: Walking sutures are subcutaneous sutures that anchor the dermis to the underlying fascia at intervals along a wound, advancing skin progressively toward the defect with each placement rather than attempting to close the full gap in one pull. DVM360 (Swaim) describes them as "tension-type sutures that can be used to close large skin defects in areas where sufficient skin surrounds the wound." Standard material: 2-0 PDS or Biosyn (3-0 in patients under 15 kg). Particularly indicated for trunk and lateral thorax wounds in large dogs.

Key takeaways

• Walking sutures anchor dermis to fascia at intervals, advancing skin progressively toward the wound center.
• Primary indication: large trunk and lateral thorax skin defects in dogs where direct closure would create excessive tension.
• Standard material: 2-0 PDS or Biosyn; 3-0 in patients under 15 kg.
• Staggered removal protocol: remove every other suture at day 10, remaining sutures at day 14.
• Thorax wounds require respiratory monitoring tight closure can impair breathing in smaller patients.
• Not appropriate over skin flaps walking sutures risk damaging the blood supply to the flap.

What walking sutures do

A walking suture does not close the wound at the skin surface. It anchors the dermis to the fascia beneath the skin, pulling the skin toward the defect from underneath.

DVM360 (Dr. Steven Swaim, reconstructive surgery techniques): "Walking sutures are tension-type sutures that can be used to close large skin defects in areas where sufficient skin surrounds the wound that can be moved or stretched to close the wound. These sutures are primarily indicated for closing skin defects on the trunks of small animals."

Veterinary Surgery Online: "Walking sutures can be used to tack down the dermis to the underlying fascia. These also help decrease tension on the wound edges. After placement, the wound edges should be in close proximity and under minimal tension."

Each walking suture placed advances the skin a small distance. Placed sequentially from the wound edges inward, they bring the skin incrementally closer to the defect center with each stitch hence "walking" the skin across.

When walking sutures are used

Primary indication: large trunk skin defects

• Mass excisions on the lateral thorax or abdomen requiring wide margins
• Degloving injuries where skin was lost over the trunk
• Wounds too large for simple closure but with adequate adjacent skin for advancement
• Cases where a skin flap or graft is not available or not planned

DVM360 (Swaim): "Most large skin defects on the trunks of dogs and cats can be closed with walking sutures, either using the technique described here or a modification of it. These sutures advance local skin to close large defects without requiring additional incisions to create flaps or attain relaxation."

When walking sutures cannot fully close the wound

If the defect is too large for complete walking suture closure, the technique closes the wound as much as possible, then allows the remainder to heal by second intention or stages it for a secondary surgery.

Veterinary Surgery Online: "If a wound is too large to be closed completely using this technique, it can be closed enough to allow the remainder of the wound to heal by second intention or with a secondary surgery."

Contraindication: skin flaps

Today's Veterinary Practice (Caudal Superficial Epigastric Flap technique notes): "I prefer not to tack down or use walking sutures in the subcutaneous tissues to attempt to reduce motion and dead space under the flap and inguinal region. These sutures could inadvertently damage the blood supply to the flap."

For how tension-relieving sutures are used for high-tension surgical wounds generally, see tension-relieving sutures alongside walking sutures.

Technique overview

Bite placement:

• The needle passes through the dermis on one side of the advancing skin edge
• Then through the superficial fascia at the target location (where that skin edge should end up)
• Tied the skin edge advances to meet the fascia at that point
• The next suture is placed in the adjacent skin, advancing the next section

Pattern sequence:

• Begin at the wound margins and work inward
• Each suture advances one section of skin; sequential sutures advance the whole leading edge
• After all walking sutures are placed, the wound edges should be in close proximity or apposed

Final skin closure:Placed after all walking sutures. Standard options: 3-0 to 4-0 Prolene or nylon (interrupted), or skin staples for speed.

Suture material for walking sutures

Veterinary Surgery Online: "Typically, walking sutures and muscle fascia sutures are applied using 2-0 PDS or Biosyn (3-0 in patients under 15 kg, or occasionally 0 in larger dogs). Subcutaneous tissues closed using 3-0 PDS, Biosyn, or Monocryl (4-0 in smaller patients). Dermal closure performed using 3-0 Monocryl or Biosyn (4-0 in smaller patients)."

PDS and Biosyn are monofilament absorbable materials with adequate strength retention for the 3 to 4 weeks needed while the tissue planes adhere and the skin advances fully. They are preferred over braided absorbable materials in the subcutaneous plane because of lower infection risk.

For how suture size relates to patient weight in this context, see suture size selection for walking sutures.

Thorax wounds: a specific caution

Tight closure of thorax skin restricts the chest wall's ability to expand. DVM360 (Swaim): "Keep in mind that tight skin closure on the thorax can impair respiration, especially in smaller animals. Therefore, thorough preoperative assessment and special care during closure should be taken to avoid this complication."

This is most relevant in patients under 10 to 15 kg and in wounds over the mid-lateral or dorsal thorax. The surgeon must assess respiratory function after closure and before recovery from anesthesia.

Suture removal protocol

Walking sutures use a staggered removal schedule to prevent the wound from reopening as tension redistributes during healing:

DVM360 (Swaim): "Remove every other suture (half the sutures) 10 days after surgery. Remove the remaining sutures after 14 days."

This staggered approach maintains some mechanical support while allowing the earlier-placed sutures to be assessed. If the wound looks precarious at day 10, the vet may delay removing any sutures at that visit.

For how suture removal timing applies to walking suture cases, see suture removal timing in high-tension closures.

What to monitor at home

Days 1 to 10:

• Swelling or firmness along the suture line is normal as the skin advances and adheres
• Discharge should be minimal serosanguinous (slightly blood-tinged watery) discharge is expected in small amounts; purulent or copious discharge is not
• The wound line may look "bunched" immediately after surgery this is expected as the skin advances and will flatten during healing

Signs requiring contact with your vet:

• Wound edges separating
• Increasing redness extending beyond the wound margins
• Wound discharging pus
• Patient showing respiratory changes (for thorax wounds)

For how dead space management intersects with walking suture technique, see dead space management alongside walking sutures. In obese dogs, walking sutures are especially valuable for managing the thick subcutaneous fat layer; see walking sutures in obese dog closure.

Frequently asked questions

My large dog had a mass removed and the vet used "walking sutures." Why not just standard sutures?

Standard closure sutures are placed at the skin surface and close the gap by pulling the edges together. In large wounds, that pull creates ischemia-inducing tension. Walking sutures move the skin toward the gap at the subcutaneous level first, so by the time skin closure sutures are placed, the edges are already close together and under minimal tension.

Are walking sutures the same as tension sutures?

Related but not identical. Walking sutures advance skin by anchoring dermis to fascia progressively. Tension-relieving sutures (mattress, far-near-near-far) redistribute tension across a wider surface area of an existing closure. Both reduce tension but through different mechanisms and at different stages of wound closure.

The wound looks wrinkled and bunched after my dog's surgery. Is that a problem?

Not usually. When skin is advanced toward a defect using walking sutures, the surrounding skin gathers slightly before it redistributes. This bunching typically resolves over 5 to 10 days as the skin stretches and adheres. If the wrinkling is accompanied by redness, warmth, or discharge, contact your vet.

Walking sutures do something the skin surface cannot: they move the wound edges before the skin is asked to span a gap under tension. In large breed dogs with significant trunk defects, they are the difference between a closure that holds and one that dehisces in the first week.

Resources

• DVM360 (Dr. Steven Swaim). Skills Laboratory: Reconstructive Surgery Techniques, Part 5: Walking Sutures. dvm360.com
• Veterinary Surgery Online. Wound Closure Continued. vetsurgeryonline.com
• Today's Veterinary Practice. Caudal Superficial Epigastric Flap. todaysveterinarypractice.com
• WSAVA 2007 (VIN). Reconstructive Surgery. vin.com

Not every skin closure aims for the same outcome. Routine interrupted sutures close the wound reliably, but they leave external knots and suture tracks that create some degree of visible scarring.

Cosmetic skin closure prioritizes minimizing that scar. The techniques used primarily intradermal and subcuticular closure hide the suture line within the dermis, reduce surface inflammation, and produce a finer, less visible healed incision.

Quick answer: Cosmetic skin closure in veterinary surgery primarily uses intradermal (subcuticular) closure a continuous suture pattern placed within the dermis just below the skin surface. This eliminates external suture material, reduces suture-track scarring, and avoids the need for removal visits. Published veterinary research confirms equivalent wound strength and improved cosmetic outcomes compared to external suture methods. It is most appropriate for clean, low-to-moderate-tension incisions in cosmetically sensitive areas.

Key takeaways

• Intradermal (subcuticular) closure is the primary cosmetic skin closure technique in veterinary surgery.
• No external suture material is visible, eliminating suture marks and reducing self-trauma risk.
• Published research confirms decreased scar formation and equivalent healing strength.
• Monocryl (4-0 poliglecaprone 25) is the most commonly used material for cosmetic closure in dogs and cats.
• No removal visit is needed when absorbable materials are used, reducing stress for both the pet and owner.
• Appropriate only for low-to-moderate tension wounds high-tension wounds require tension-relieving patterns first.

What makes closure "cosmetic"

Cosmetic closure is defined less by a specific technique than by a set of goals: minimizing the visible scar, reducing post-healing skin irregularity, and producing a healed incision that is as inconspicuous as possible.

These goals are achieved by:

• Hiding suture material within the skin layers (no external knots or loops)
• Avoiding percutaneous suture tracts (channels where epithelium migrates down the suture track and creates visible marks)
• Using fine-gauge monofilament materials that cause minimal inflammatory reaction
• Ensuring precise wound edge apposition with no inversion or puckering

PMC (Veterinary Sciences, 2023, PMC9960444) confirms: "Advantages of the buried continuous intradermal closure pattern include decreased scar formation because of the promotion of epithelialization due to adequate skin apposition and minimal skin tension, elimination of the need for suture removal, reduction of tissue inflammation and risk of infection by avoiding the formation of percutaneous suture tracts, and reduction of self-induced trauma."

Primary technique: intradermal (subcuticular) closure

The intradermal pattern places a continuous suture horizontally within the dermis. Each needle pass is 2 to 3 mm below the skin surface, alternating sides of the wound, advancing 4 to 6 mm with each pass.

What makes it cosmetically superior:

For complete intradermal technique detail in dogs, see intradermal closure for cosmetic outcomes in dogs. For cats, see intradermal closure for cosmetic outcomes in cats.

When cosmetic closure is used

Common cosmetic closure scenarios

• Elective spay surgery: the most common use intradermal closure for the skin layer is standard practice in many clinics
• Neuter surgery prescrotal approach: clean, low-tension incision well suited to intradermal closure
• Mass removal in visible body areas: face, lateral body, or areas where owners will see the scar
• Biopsy sites: small, clean wounds where healing without a visible scar is straightforward
• Post-surgical cosmetic concerns: breeds with high-show-dog status where scar appearance matters to owners

When cosmetic closure is not the right choice

• High-tension wounds: intradermal sutures cannot hold against significant wound tension without additional support from tension-relieving patterns placed first
• Contaminated or infected wounds: buried suture material in a contaminated wound risks trapping bacteria
• Irregular or non-linear wounds: the continuous horizontal pattern requires a straight wound for even apposition
• Cases where wound monitoring is critical: internal sutures give no visible access for individual suture assessment

For how cosmetic closure fits within the full range of skin closure options, see cosmetic closure within skin closure options.

Material selection for cosmetic closure

Best choice: 4-0 Monocryl (poliglecaprone 25)

Multiple published studies compare intradermal suture materials in dogs and cats. Monocryl consistently achieves the best cosmetic scores:

• PMC9960444 (2023): Monocryl outperformed polypropylene on cosmetic scoring; both "found sufficient for intradermal suturing in dogs"
• PMC8614295 (2021): Monocryl outperformed Caprosyn (polyglytone 6211) in cosmetic, clinical, and histological evaluation

Why Monocryl over alternatives:

• Smooth monofilament surface: least tissue drag of common absorbable materials
• Adequate tensile strength through the 10 to 14 day skin healing period
• Loses most strength at 3 weeks after healing is complete then absorbs fully by 90 to 119 days
• Lower tissue reaction than PDS in cats (Clinician's Brief)

For how Monocryl compares to alternatives in the context of full suture material selection, see suture material for cosmetic skin closure.

Tissue adhesive as cosmetic closure adjunct

Tissue adhesive (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) can supplement intradermal closure or serve as the sole skin closure for very small, low-tension incisions.

Properties:

• Waterproof
• No needle penetration of skin required
• Sloughs off naturally as the wound heals no removal needed
• Appropriate for small neuter incisions in cats, minor biopsy sites, and pediatric wounds

Not appropriate for:

• Large wounds under tension
• Wounds with any contamination
• Any wound where the adhesive is applied over poorly apposed edges

What owners should expect with cosmetic closure

Immediately post-surgery:

• No visible sutures or knots at the skin surface
• The incision appears as a thin, slightly raised line
• A small amount of dried blood or serous discharge at the wound ends (where knots are buried) is normal

During healing (days 1 to 14):

• Gradual flattening and narrowing of the incision line
• A slight ridge or firmness may be palpable this is the suture material within the dermis and is normal
• Redness should fade, not intensify, over the first 5 days

At healed state:

• A fine, linear scar noticeably less visible than what forms after external interrupted closure
• No suture marks or perpendicular lines from external stitches

For suture removal timing context (applicable when external sutures are used instead), see timing of cosmetic closure removal.

Frequently asked questions

Is cosmetic closure more expensive than standard closure?

Sometimes, because intradermal closure requires more technical precision and slightly more time than placing simple interrupted sutures. Many clinics include it as a standard component of spay and neuter procedures at no additional cost. Ask your vet whether intradermal closure is included in the quoted procedure price.

My dog had cosmetic closure but still has a visible scar. Is that normal?

All surgery creates some scarring cosmetic closure minimizes it but does not eliminate it. The scar from intradermal closure is typically a thin, flat line without the perpendicular marks left by external suture entry points. How prominent the healed scar is depends on the wound size, the dog's breed and skin type, and how well activity restriction was maintained during healing.

Can cosmetic closure be used for wounds that were not surgically created?

It depends on the wound. Clean, fresh traumatic lacerations that have been properly debrided may be amenable to intradermal closure if they are straight, low-tension, and uncontaminated. Bite wounds, heavily contaminated wounds, and wounds more than a few hours old are generally not appropriate for primary cosmetic closure.

Cosmetic skin closure reflects a specific set of priorities: minimize the visible mark the surgery leaves behind. When the wound type and tension allow it, intradermal closure reliably delivers that result a fine, suture-mark-free scar that heals without removal visits, self-trauma, or external irritation.

Resources

• PMC (Veterinary Sciences, 2023). Comparison of Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures for Intradermal Skin Closure in Dogs. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• PMC (Veterinary Sciences, 2021). A Controlled Trial of Polyglytone 6211 versus Poliglecaprone 25 for Intradermal Suturing in Dogs. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• AAHA. Oh, Sew Easy: A Guide to Sutures. aaha.org
• Veterinary Surgery Online. Intradermal Skin Closure. vetsurgeryonline.com