Update: Koda went to get his stitches out a few weeks ago on the 23rd and the vet wouldn't do it. They just weren't healing right. He gave him another round of antibiotics and told us to put antibacterial lotion on him 2x day. He said to bring him back in when it was looking better, probably in 10-12 days.

We finally started to see some improvement, so he got his stitches out last Thursday (29th). The vet was still pretty concerned at the way it was healing, although they were MUCH better than the last time. One stitch was pretty buried too so we couldn't have waited much longer. He said it looks good, but still wanted to see him for one more follow-up a week later (tomorrow). So we'll be off to the vet tomorrow for what we hope to be our final check up!

However, we still have to keep a t-shirt and the cone on Koda at all times. He was already and obsessive licker and the wound has just made it worse. He'll likely have the cone on for another week at least at the rate his wound is healing.

Just a random aside... I LOVE our vet. We haven't paid since the initial emergency visit, except to actually pay for the next dose of antibiotics. The last time we were in there, they even took out the sutures and the vet made a special trip in to see us and check up on us and we were not charged Every vet I've seen here has been super attentive and caring. We are very happy with this new place

Its so great to hear of good vets! I'm sure ur e vist was not cheap so maybe it includes the follow ups, or they are super nice and love koda!

Sucks he is not healing well, was it cause of the way it was cut and the location? Hope u get good news today.

Nope. A $300 visit for the first one... but considering all the follow-ups, I'm not upset with that price at all. And it's MUCH better than it could have been

The wound was definitely a puncture wound. You can tell by the way it tore. It was an odd wound to dew but the vet also thinks Koda's skin was reacting to the sutures themselves a little and that little bit of swelling delayed the healing time. The wound looks SO much better now and basically just looks like 3 or four circles in a line for where each of the stitches were.

I think he will be happy after today's visit

Update: This vet is awesome. He's SO CUTE. Of all the vets in this office, I think I like him the best, which is ironic because he's probably the LEAST personable. He's sort of socially awkward but he is SO GOOD with Koda. He gets on the floor immediately, every time, lets Koda kiss him and tells him what a good boy he is and how much kisses are appreciated... and he just shows such concern!

Koda honestly couldn't care less about the cone. He deals with it. But Dr. Elson sat there for a few minutes brainstorming ideas with me on how we can get Koda rid of the cone (Koda is an obsessive licker-- so he makes things take forever to heal without the cone because he won't stop licking it). I just thought it was sweet. He didn't want to give him medicine but was willing to if it would increase Koda's "quality of life" by not having the cone. I know it's silly, but I just thought it was super caring and considerate, even if I know Koda doesn't really mind.

Moral of the story: Koda is about 90% healed. He has a couple of spots that are still scabbing and need time, but the rest looks great. Dr. Elson asked if I wanted another complimentary appointment next week so that he could look at it again and sign off on Koda's "conelessness" but I said that I thought I knew what to look for now, but if I had questions, I would call and make another appointment and he said that sounded great.

I'm just overall so pleased with him. Once you get in there and talk with him, he's just so genuine and caring. John noticed it immediately as well the one appointment he had... so it's just sweet. First doc I've ever really felt that about with my dogs

So glad to hear Koda is just about all healed up!

Little late on a "get rid of the cone" idea but would a Thundershirt have helped? That way the wound would have been covered so Koda wouldn't have access to it.

Your vet sounds excellent. I'm so glad Koda is doing better, and I hope he can be cone-free very soon!