Protecting Exposed Skin on Lab

[DaSwede]

Without going into a ton of detail, last year my pup (about 1.5 years old) had a run-in with a 4- 5 foot wire fence (he thought he could superman it over. His front half made it...back legs got caught up). Thanks God it wasn't barbwire, but in short it ripped the skin from the crease on the front top of his back legs down about 6 inches or so. Looked like a peeled banana, for lack of a better description. It took from early September to almost February to heal, as the stitches didn't hold (skin was too thin), so it had to heal by sealing itself up.

Anyway, he's good to go now, but the problem I'm having is that the scar tissue is hairless, and he was going through some tall grass/scrub brush the other day, and by the time we were done, that area was red and pretty irritated. He has a belly protector that I could put on him, but it doesn't protect the leg area. Any type of cloth or anything like that won't stay on. Tape would fall off and/or irritate that area more.

What I wondering is if there is a type of "tough skin" spray or something to protect that area more, or other ideas that some of you might have or have seen? He's a great bird dog, and lives to get out and run, but I don't want him hurting every time we go out.

Thanks in advance!

[leechlake]

I've envisioning something similar to a rubber bike tire that you could lube up with something and slip it on. Not too tight and not too loose so it falls off. I don't literally mean a bike tire but something that size and material that wouldn't slip off but provide some protection.

[DaSwede]

Maybe this picture will help as a reference. In the pic he is on his back with his head towards the camera. You can where the wound is and is almost healed. This was taken last December.

Here's what he looked like after they tried to stitch him up. The white tube is a drain.

Here's what it looked like when the stitches didn't hold and he had to let it heal by sealing up naturally. Taken in October.

It did seal up (just like the vet said it would), but now the scar tissue is exposed. The hair didn't grow all the way back to cover it.

Here he is now. Just so you don't think I have a mangled mutt!

[Ufatz]

That is a great looking dog! And he's gotta be tough!

Don't have a solution to your immediate problem but I suggest before you wrap the dog in any sort of "suit" or insulated protection you keep in mind that some of those protective vests etc. can very easily cause a dog to overheat. I have heard of a spray on sealant type treatment for humans but have no idea whether it would work on a dog or even be recommended.

I think TIME may be your best treatment in this case but boy that was a totally nasty rip. You (and the dog!) have my sympathy. Talk with vet some more. Call U of M and talk with the folks there.

That's the best I can come up with.

[CaptainMusky]

I have heard of a spray on sealant type treatment for humans but have no idea whether it would work on a dog or even be recommended.

This would have been my suggestion as well. I know 3M makes a product that is similar to super glue that is used in surgeries instead of staples and stitches. I would assume there is some sort of over the counter product similar to that which could be used to cover the area. Thats a tough spot for sure.

[DaSwede]

This would have been my suggestion as well. I know 3M makes a product that is similar to super glue that is used in surgeries instead of staples and stitches. I would assume there is some sort of over the counter product similar to that which could be used to cover the area. Thats a tough spot for sure.

I've used some of that stuff. I think they call it "New Skin," and it hurts like heck because it's also a disinfectant. Maybe there's some that will just coat though.

[leechlake]

I've used nu skin and it works pretty well on small cuts on my fingers but I've found when you flex the skin it doesn't hold up real well. I assume and active dog would be worse. It also comes in about a 1.5 oz bottle and you may need a pint and a paint brush. Not a bad idea but the are may be too large?

[DaSwede]

Update: My wife called the vet today, and he recommended an iodine solution (or at least that's what it looks like) that he uses on cattle. It kind of adds a rubber-like seal over the area. He also gave me some bitter apple spray to put around it to keep him from licking the area. I'll see how it goes.