Dear Dr. Forsythe: I recently went to my mother’s house and noticed that her dog had staples where the vet had taken off a small tumor. I was always of the notion that staples were used in human medicine so I was surprised to see my mom’s Lab with about seven or eight of them in his skin. Why did the vet use a stapler instead of traditional stitches? – Just wondering, Sonoma
Dear Just wondering: The decision about what type of sutures to use or whether or not to use staples depends on several different factors, including the preference of the doctor. Some of the factors that determine the suture/closing material used include the species in question, the type of surgery done, the size and tension in the area to be closed, the thickness of the skin, and how long the pet has been under anesthesia.
For example, cats have very delicate skin and do not tolerate staples very well. Dogs can receive suture or staples, so depending on the location and size of the incision, absorbable or non-absorbable sutures can be placed in a continuous or “interrupted” pattern. Staples are also an excellent choice to close skin when there is an irregular – or zigzag – closure or the pet has been under anesthesia for a long period of time and the closure needs to be done quickly so the pet can wake up. Usually veterinarians close incisions with several “layers” of suture. Remember that you are only seeing the outermost “stitches;” there are layers underneath that were placed to provide maximum healing. I’m sure your veterinarian chose wisely when putting the staples on your mother’s lab. Perhaps you can be at the appointment when her vet removes them and ask why he or she chose that particular method over another. Thanks for writing in. – Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I recently got another cat because my neighbor moved and didn’t take her cat with her. I now have three dogs, four cats, two birds, three rats, an iguana, a snake and a turtle named Gordon. Do you think I’m a pet hoarder? My boyfriend says I am, and so does my mother, who is always complaining about the smell in the house. I still think they are crazy and wish they would try and understand my need to have many animals in my life. The trouble is, my pets are starting to fight with each other and I am having a hard time keeping the house tidy. I will admit that whenever I see a pet advertised as “free to a good home” I do tend to adopt it, but I also just consider myself a good Samaritan. I was hoping you would help my boyfriend and my mother see the other side on this one. – J. Lei, Santa Rosa
Dear J. Lei: You seem like a kind person who loves pets and wants to help them. You are probably very wonderful and loving, a nice person who loves to be enveloped by things with fur, things with four legs and with beaks, and critters with hard shells covering their bodies. However you do, unfortunately, qualify as an animal hoarder in my opinion. You have stated that the house smells, that whenever a pet is available you try to adopt it, and you are having trouble keeping the house clean. I get from your letter that your relationship with the bevy of animals you have is causing conflict between you and your loved ones. It sounds like it is time for an intervention, and I hope that your mother and boyfriend can step in and get you some help before the Noah’s arc you are living in sinks!!
Please don’t get me wrong, I love it when people surround themselves with pets, and I do this too, but it is really important that you stop collecting them in the name of being a “good Samaritan” and start making sure that you can take good care of the pets you have. Can you offer all these animals a good quality of life with good food, shelter and medical care? Will you be able to give them the time and attention they need and deserve for the long haul? Are they are burden or a joy to you and the people you are closest to? Ask yourself these tough questions, and then have a heart-to-heart with your turtle Gordon. I think you may come to realize that he deserves more attention than he is getting now. I appreciate your listening to my advice. And I hope that you’ll take it. – Dr. F.
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