wound care

My dog had a large cyst removed from the underside of her tail about a week ago. Two days after the surgery, her stitches had all popped out and I brought her back in. After unsuccessfully trying again to sew her up, I was told that there wasn't enough skin to close the wound and that I should keep her   tail bandaged and was given antibiotics and a cleaning solution to dab on it. I kept her tail bandaged the first 3 or 4 days but it seemed like it only made it worse by causing it to bleed and weep. She whined and cried continuously until I would remove it. Is it safe to leave the bandages off, or does the risk of infection outweigh her discomfort?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

A pressure bandage would help to stop the bleeding and weeping, thus keeping your house clean, and to keep the wound clean and prevent your dog from licking the wound and introducing more bacteria into it from her tongue.  If it is no longer weeping than the bandage can probably stay off.  Clean it twice per day, and place antibacterial ointment on it several times per day.  If your dog is still licking request an E-collar from your vet.