Post surgery scar - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

frankp · 02-19-2009, 09:33 PM

Well it's been a long 4 weeks but Max finally got his x-rays today and his leg seems to be healing fine. He fractured his right front leg after he landed on it in a tumble fall end of January. It's been a challenging few weeks trying to ensure I'm careful that he didn't re-injure it, but he is only a pup and it's been quite the learning experience. He had surgery to insert a bone plate to ensure that the bone heals evenly, and to minimize the risk of arthritis later in life.

Because there is an incision scar now that runs about 2.5 inches down his front leg, I wanted to ask if anyone has advice on what to use on it to minimize the appearance of it? I'm hoping that some of the hair will cover it, but the hair I've noticed on the front leg (near the middle) is very fine and not long in length. It's actually the "rust" color part where the incision is. I've read on here some ppl using Vitamin E oil which my vet and breeder recommend. I tried putting some on Max tonight but he licked it off. Has anyone else tried this on any type of wound with success (or not). I'm confident it helps, but just need some reassurance. I'm interested in hearing some examples of anyone that has tried the vitamin E application, or another remedy....

Any suggestions are welcome...

dolce_dobe · 02-20-2009, 09:20 PM

Yes, in case anyone is wondering....this is my Maxim too......any advice you can offer us?

**Dobejazz** · 02-20-2009, 09:28 PM

I saw your post yesterday I don't have any advice though

I was hoping someone had some suggestions for you.

Is it possible to get the ointment on while he sleeps with out waking him?

frankp · 02-20-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobejazz

I saw your post yesterday I don't have any advice though

I was hoping someone had some suggestions for you.

Is it possible to get the ointment on while he sleeps with out waking him?

I tried something today....I rubbed it on "both" front legs, hoping that by rubbing it on the left one, would distract him from the right...it worked for a while, but when I put him in the crate, I'm not sure if he licked it off or not. I'll try it when he's really tired or asleep that's a good suggestion. Thanks

lolonurse · 02-20-2009, 09:33 PM

Vitamin E and aloe are very good for healing sealed incisions, and minimizing scars. Also, Palmer's cocoa butter formula with Vit E (available in many drug stores and in Walmart, is used by many therapists to massage into scars, both to minimize the scar, and to keep the tissue from forming keloids, those hard, red-looking scars some people have. I believe that it would work as nicely on dogs. Whenever I put ointments on the dogs, I try to do it just before we head out to play, walk or other total distraction (like meals?) that will give it the best chance to stay on a while. I praise for leaving it alone, just like any other training - leave it, good boy, treat...
But also, if you spend a little time just very lightly massaging it in, it might feel good, help desensitize the scar, and also give it a chance to soak in a bit - maybe 3 or 4 times a day. lois

Tricia · 02-20-2009, 10:32 PM

I tried the Vit E and cocoa butter on my "late" girl who had an imbedded collar when I got her, it helped the scar to be smooth and supple but the hair grew in white on the perimeter and stayed bald in the center. She had a lovely necklace her whole life. (Don't worry tho I bet your pups hair grows back the right color where it does come back.) and since it was a surgical scar it should get better with time.

What about that stuff they sell for people to minimize scars? Forgot the name but maybe that's worth a try.

frankp · 02-24-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolonurse

Vitamin E and aloe are very good for healing sealed incisions, and minimizing scars. Also, Palmer's cocoa butter formula with Vit E (available in many drug stores and in Walmart, is used by many therapists to massage into scars, both to minimize the scar, and to keep the tissue from forming keloids, those hard, red-looking scars some people have. I believe that it would work as nicely on dogs. Whenever I put ointments on the dogs, I try to do it just before we head out to play, walk or other total distraction (like meals?) that will give it the best chance to stay on a while. I praise for leaving it alone, just like any other training - leave it, good boy, treat...
But also, if you spend a little time just very lightly massaging it in, it might feel good, help desensitize the scar, and also give it a chance to soak in a bit - maybe 3 or 4 times a day. lois

I purchased the Palmer's scar serum which has cocoa butter and vit E on Saturday - been rubbing it on Max's scar - sometimes he licks some of it off, sometimes it stays on - depending on how much I can distract him....Will let you know how it works.

Lexxsmom · 02-24-2009, 10:08 AM

honestly, it sounds weird, but the best thing for scars is preparation H... it works WONDERS. I used it on my horse when I got him, huge difference. I would suggest putting it on right before he eats, or right before walks or play times. This will give it time to soak in before he thinks about it enough to lick it off

gracieface · 02-24-2009, 10:18 AM

you could put some vet wrap over after putting on the ointment, for a short while to let it soak in, not that licking vit E is going to hurt him. Hopefully b/c he is so young there won't be white hairs (not unusual over an injury site). Grace had to have stitches on her front legs, both, from dog attacks, I have a hard time finding the sites now.

frankp · 02-24-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

honestly, it sounds weird, but the best thing for scars is preparation H... it works WONDERS. I used it on my horse when I got him, huge difference. I would suggest putting it on right before he eats, or right before walks or play times. This will give it time to soak in before he thinks about it enough to lick it off

Very interesting...I'd like to try this. Have you ever tried on a dobe before? What does it do to the scar? The Vitamin E is hard to put on even before walking once he gets inside, he starts licking it. lol

frankp · 02-24-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracieface

you could put some vet wrap over after putting on the ointment, for a short while to let it soak in, not that licking vit E is going to hurt him. Hopefully b/c he is so young there won't be white hairs (not unusual over an injury site). Grace had to have stitches on her front legs, both, from dog attacks, I have a hard time finding the sites now.

Thanks Elizabeth

Good to know we'll pick up some vet wrap over the weekend. It's great that Grace's stiches healed nicely - where was it on the leg exactly, and did you use Vit E on the healed scar?

OldDrumDobes · 02-24-2009, 07:42 PM

Eqyss Mega Tek Coat Rebuilder, works wonders

frankp · 02-24-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDrumDobes

Eqyss Mega Tek Coat Rebuilder, works wonders

Where can you purchase this? I live just north of Toronto, Ont. Canada....Petsmart or Petvalue have it? (if you are aware).

Lexxsmom · 02-25-2009, 07:45 AM

Hey, it just makes the scars go away.. hair re grows and they look normal.

I would suggest the following. Start the walk. Stop, place cream on leg, continue to walk. NO chance to lick.

I think Lexx would ingest vet wrap given the chance