how to help your dogs wound heal

[cindynp]

My bull terrier had surgery to remove a large mass from his side near his hind paw, the large wound has been sutured, but part of it keeps opening and bleeding.  I have one of the soft inflatable collars on him instead of the cone. He doesn't seem to be trying to lick it too much , but I have caught him a couple of times.  Is there anything I could do to speed up the healing process?

[JanisM13]

I may be too late for this BUT when my vet sutures after
a spay he uses very fine WIRE,(i'm sure your vet would
know about this "wire" and what it is)
Point being, I asked him many years ago WHY he did
this,he said "it is a strong,almost impossible suture to
break or chew through,also when a dog trys to lick it
or get their face or lips near it they will get a sting and
a "poke" and leave it alone,the wire is easier,cleaner
to clip when needing to be removed,skin will not grow
into the suture while healing."
While it is not impossible to still mess the best laid plans
up,I did see his point,none of my dogs ever had to wear
a "cone collar" nor did they lick their tummy...got poked
and left it alone!
It may also be possible to support a open wound with
gauze and vet wrap,someone (owner) would need to
remove the vet wrap every 2 to 3 days,clean the area
then reapply the guaze and vet wrap again,IF in an
area where you can use vet wrap?
Something you might ask your vet,I have done this
several times with dogs who had too much interest in
a open wound. I was also able to spray a light coat
of "bitter apple" on the outside of the vet wrap which
my dogs hated the taste of,until the wound healed...
just a couple of thoughts to ask about...
KEY THING IS,remove the vet wrap every 2 to 3
days
Clean the wound,leave it out to the air for several
hours,dog is never out of your sight then rewrap
with guaze and vet wrap again.
Usually after 8 to 10 days the wound is well on the
way to closing and healing.
Jan

[kerk2]

I may be missing something here, but if a section of a sutured wound keeps opening up then there were 'not enough' stitches to begin with!  Who did the surgery? I would have him right back there and let them correct it. And then I would probably make a note to remind me never to use that surgeon again. THAT is the purpose of the stitches.

My biggest concern with that is that it probably would require more anesthesia, which I'm not crazy about.  

If there is another way to keep that wound from reopening, besides stitches, I will be all ears, but I won't hold my breath.

In summation, IMO that wound is going to continue to open up and is NOT going to heal if it isn't closed, and there is no topical or oral medication, or herb, that is going to do it.

[Margot49]

Of course, your Vet should be your first source for follow-up information. You can call the office and mention that one area that keeps opening.  
You can make a saline solution, 2 tsos  of sea salt or salt to two cups water.  Gently clean the area around the incision and pat dry.  If you have an antiseptic spray, you could try that.  Sprays are usually better as creams and gels can attract dirt.
Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide or anything with cortisone in it.