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Spay recovery: How long for dissolvable stitches to dissolve and rest?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 2 months old | 4 lbs

How long does it take for dissolvable sutures to dissolve from a spay surgery? Is 2 weeks enough time to have her not be active?

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 20th, 2018

Great question! Absorbable sutures vary widely in both strength and how long they take to dissolve, but some will dissolve within two weeks. In terms of a spay, it is recommended that activity is restricted for two weeks, so yes that is enough time for Precious to not be active. I hope this helps!

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15Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My female dog was spayed. They closed with dissolvable stitches then glue. How long does it take to go away?
Dissolvable sutures under the skin can take 6 months or so to fully dissolve, but will begin to slowly break down within the first few weeks. There are many different suture types, and all break down at different rates. However, the incision itself should heal within 10-14 days of the surgery and the glue should break down around this time frame. This type of surgical closure is quite common and most dogs can return to a normal activity level (including swimming and bathing) about 10-14 days after surgery. I hope this helps and that Hei Hei's recovery goes well!
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How many layers of stitches come with a spay surgery? The ones inside are dissolvable, right? After she’s all healed up will I be able to feel anything?
Usually there three layers of stitches. One layer holds the body wall together, the next closes the subcuticular layer and the third layer closed the skin. The skin stitches can be put into the back of the skin so there are none showing. Sometimes skin stitches are on the outside of the skin and will need to be removed in ten to fourteen days. The buried stitches will dissolve over one to three months depending on the size and type of suture used. There will be some swelling as they dissolve and you often can feel them for a few months if you are feeling closely. Over time the scar will heal and you should no longer feel anything but the spay scar itself. The scar also will become softer and smoother over time so that often it is difficult to find. Since she’s a very small dog the sutures will be thinner and will be less noticeable sooner than on a big dog. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Precious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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We just got Midna back from her spay. Because her office was super busy she forgot to give us after care instructions we have both a 1 week and a 2 week followup scheduled. She used non dissolving stiches. What are the general after care instructions
Limit or restrict activity to avoid stress on the incision. Avoid excessive running, jumping or rough play. Use an e-collar (cone) to prevent licking or chewing of the sutures. Examine the site daily for redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or discharge. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, fever or abdominal pain. Look at her gums daily to ensure they are pink. Sutures are kept in for 10-14 days. Do not bathe her until the sutures are removed.
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We are thinking about spaying our puppy but we just want to know how long it would take her to heal and if we have to stay home with her and if so how long.
Recovery will take approximately two weeks in most dogs. During this time, it is recommended to prevent or avoid excessive running, jumping or rough play. An e-collar (cone) is typically work until sutures (stitches) are removed 10-14 days after surgery. It should be left on at all times to prevent licking or chewing at the spay site. There is no reason Daisy cannot be left alone as long as she has someone to let her out to use the bathroom.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I just dropped Precious off to get spayed & a small bump removed. How long should that take? How long do i keep her from playing, jumping, & running? How much boiled chicken & rice should i offer her? What approximante date can i just let her run & b
Your vet should go over instructions for her aftercare based on the surgery. In general we recommend restricting activity untli the sutures are removed, which is normally 7 to 10 days. Unless she has had an upset stomach we can usually give them their normal food, just in small amounts initially to be sure the anesthetic didn't make them nauseous and they aren't going to vomit. As far as how long the surgery will take, that will depend on your vet's office and where the bump being removed is located. You should contact your vet for information on when she will be ready for pick-up from surgery, and at discharge/when she goes home,they should provide you with their specific instructions for aftercare. If they do not, then please ask them for details. Best of luck to you and Precious!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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You cant tell by the 1st picture but her stitches were sticking out. You could see the knot where it was tied & the 2 sharp ends. They were poking & irritating her so i was going to take her to get them trimmed. Yesterday somehow she took it off hers
Hello, sorry to hear about Precious. If dissolvable the sutures should go away on their own. Depending on the suture material used, this could take anywhere from 1 month to 3 months. Monitor the area for any bleeding, discharge, pain, swelling, or redness and if you note any then have her veterinarian evaluate the area. Ideally, Precious should not be licking at the area and you should not be cleaning it or touching the area as this can delay healing. Hope this helps and best of luck.
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Hi, I was wondering if her spade stitches look okay? Today is her 10th day and I didn’t know if her stitches look dissolved yet so she can go outside and play without a leash.
Sophie's spay site looks good but the tissue will not be fully healed until 14 days so still no off leash play time. Also, check with your veterinarian. Most vets want to recheck the spay site at 14 days. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
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I planned to get Precious spayed next month but she just started her heat cycle. • when can I expect it to be over? • is her age a big concern for surgery? She does not act like a senior dog at all. • is she too small? • shes only been under anesth
Most dogs are in heat for an average of 2-3 weeks. Keep her away from any intact males during this time. The surgery itself will likely take 20-30 minutes (o complete. She isn't too small or too old. Your veterinarian may recommend pre-anesthetic blood work and a pre-anesthetic exam to confirm good health. Recovery will take about 2 weeks. Try to limit excessive running, jumping or rough play. These activities could place undue stress on the incision and prolong recovery. A crate can be used if necessary. She will probably have an e-collar (cone) on when she is discharged to prevent licking or chewing of the incision. You should get complete discharge instructions from your veterinarian when you pick up Precious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hello, my cat was spayed last week Thursday (9 days ago) and she has been fine. Then she licked herself just and a stitch is visible. We were advised by the rescue centre they are dissolvable stitches if this is any use.
If the incision looks fine MooMoo should do well. The stitches usually take up to 3 to 4 weeks to completely dissolve depending on the brand used. If her incision is still healing, it's not red, has no discharge and it's not painful to the touch continue to monitor her as you have been doing. I also recommend contacting the shelter that spayed her tomorrow and finding out if they want to see her or not.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My dog is scheduled to be spayed on the 27th. She is 10 months old and has had her heat ( she does still have some swollen nippes i have attached photo however bleeding for heat was 9/17/18 through 10/4/18 ) How long will her incision be and what do
Incision lengths vary from surgeon to surgeon. Since incisions heal from side to side and not from end to end, it takes a short incision the same time to heal as a long incision. Your vet will give you written instructions on how to treat your dog after surgery. Here is a sample: http://files.dvm360.com/alfresco_images/DVM360//2014/09/26/ca50e33b-4a98-4584-bf15-dbf0f2a912c7/handout_afterspay_neuter.pdf Healing times will vary but the incision should be healed after 10 to 14 days. All will be well.
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