How Long Should Sutures Stay In? Complete Healing Timeline Guide

When it comes to veterinary surgery, one of the most frequent post-operative questions is: “How long do sutures stay in?”. The answer depends on multiple factors including the animal species, wound location, suture material and healing rate.

Surgical sutures are far more than threads used to close a wound. They are biomedical devices designed to hold tissues together, accelerate healing, and minimize complications like wound splitting or infection. In the case of absorbable or non-absorbable, each suture type has a specific role in ensuring a successful surgical outcome.

In veterinary medicine, the choice of sutures and the timing of removal directly affect healing quality, infection rates, and patient comfort. This guide breaks down how long sutures should stay in for various animal procedures, what influences this timeline, and how these sutures support veterinary professionals in achieving optimal results.

Understanding Sutures and Healing Dynamics

Before determining how long sutures stay in, it’s essential to understand what sutures actually do. Sutures (or stitches) hold tissue edges together until the body produces enough collagen to keep the wound closed naturally.

In animals, as in humans, proper suture selection ensures the wound heals with minimal scarring, reduced risk of infection, and optimal tissue strength.

Veterinary sutures come in two broad categories:

1. Absorbable Sutures (Dissolvable Stitches) – These break down naturally inside the body through enzymatic action or hydrolysis. They are ideal for internal tissues that don’t require later removal. Examples include Polydioxanone (PDO), PGA (Polymer of Glycolic Acid), PGCL (Poli(Glicolide-co-ε-caprolactone)), and Chromic Catgut made from natural materials. 
2. Non-Absorbable Sutures (Regular Stitches) – These remain intact until manually removed or left permanently in place for long-term support. They are usually made from synthetic materials like nylon (Polyamide 6/6,6) or silk and are used for external closures or long-healing tissues. 

Each of these has a distinct absorption or removal timeline  and understanding that timeline is key to preventing complications.

Absorbable Sutures: How Long They Last

Absorbable sutures are engineered to degrade within the animal’s body, eliminating the need for removal. The rate of absorption depends on the polymer composition, tissue environment, and blood supply. 

Let’s explore the most common absorbable suture materials and their general absorption timelines used in veterinary practice:

Suture Material	Type	Absorption Time	Ideal Use Cases
Polydioxanone (PDO)	Synthetic Monofilament	180–210 days	Orthopedic, tendon, and fascia repairs needing prolonged support
Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA)	Braided/Coated Multifilament	60–90 days	Soft tissue surgeries, gastrointestinal, urogenital procedures
PGCL (Poli(Glicolide-co-ε-caprolactone))	Synthetic Monofilament	90–120 days	Internal soft tissue, minimal tissue reaction
Chromic Catgut	Natural Twisted Multifilament	90–120 days   (with tensile strength loss in 15-20 days from implantation)	Short-term tissue approximation, ligations, mucosa closures

Non-Absorbable Sutures: When and How Long They Stay In

Non-absorbable sutures, also known as regular stitches, are made from materials that do not degrade naturally. These must be manually removed by a veterinarian or, in some cases, remain in place permanently.

Common non-absorbable materials include:

• Nylon (Polyamide 6 / 6,6) – synthetic monofilament offering excellent strength and minimal tissue reactivity. 
• Polyester or Polypropylene – synthetic alternatives known for strength and flexibility. 

How Dissolvable Stitches Work

Absorbable sutures, also called dissolvable stitches, are typically made from synthetic materials such as PDO, PGA, or PGCL, or natural materials like Chromic Catgut.

These sutures gradually lose tensile strength as the body’s enzymes or hydrolytic reactions break down the material. For example:

• Chromic Catgut: Made from natural collagen fibers, Chromic Catgut dissolves through enzymatic digestion within 90-120 days, providing short-term tissue support ideal for mucosal or soft tissue closures requiring minimal inflammation. It has a tensile strength of 15-20 days which decreases gradually over time before being completely absorbed. 
• PGA: A synthetic braided suture that maintains 70–80% tensile strength in 7 days and completely degrades in 60–90 days, ensuring reliable closure for soft tissue and internal surgical procedures. 
• PDO: A long-term absorbable synthetic monofilament maintaining tensile strength for up to 180 days before complete absorption, ideal for fascia, tendons, and orthopedic surgeries requiring extended wound support during recovery. 

The key is that the rate of absorption aligns with tissue healing, strong enough initially to hold the wound, then disappearing once no longer needed.

Understanding the Role of Suture Structure

These are a crucial factor in the structure of surgical sutures: monofilament vs. multifilament sutures.

• Monofilament Sutures (e.g., PDO, PGCL, Polyamide) consist of a single, smooth strand that passes through tissue easily, minimizing bacterial colonization. They are ideal for contaminated or infection-prone wounds. 
• Multifilament Sutures (e.g., PGA, Chromic Catgut) are braided, offering superior handling and knot security but can harbor bacteria in their interstices if used in infected wounds. 

Veterinary Insight:
For animals with post-surgical infections or poor hygiene environments (like shelter rescues or large-breed outdoor animals), monofilament sutures are preferred for minimizing bacterial migration and ensuring safer healing.

Alternative Closure Options in Veterinary Surgery

Modern veterinary wound management extends beyond traditional sutures. Depending on the surgical procedure and the tissue type, veterinarians may use or combine several closure aids:

1. Topical Adhesives (Special Glue for Skin)

Also known as tissue adhesive or skin glue, these medical-grade cyanoacrylate products, similar to super glue, create a strong bond for small incisions or lacerations. They are ideal for: minor skin closures, subcuticular or laparoscopic incisions and quick repairs in small animals

Skin glue should never be used internally or near the eyes or vascular sites. It is for external skin closure only.

2. Surgical Staples

Disposable surgical staplers provide fast, secure skin closure, often used in emergency and trauma cases.
In veterinary surgery, skin staplers are commonly used after orthopedic or large-area closures, particularly in large dogs, farm animals, or wildlife, because they reduce surgical time and provide consistent tension.

3. Bandages and Dressings

Regardless of closure type, post-operative dressings are vital. They protect wounds from dirt, moisture, and animal interference (licking or scratching), allowing sutures or adhesives to function effectively.
Veterinary practices often use breathable, absorbent bandages that maintain a sterile environment while supporting tissue recovery.

Suture Removal or Absorption: Timing by Procedure and Species

Below is a general veterinary guideline for how long sutures should stay in based on wound type and animal species:

Procedure / Area	Suture Type	Typical Removal / Absorption Time
Skin (Dogs/Cats)	Non-absorbable (Nylon/Polyamide)	10–14 days removal
Subcutaneous / Internal Tissue	Absorbable (PGA, PGCL)	Naturally absorbed in 60–120 days
Tendon / Ligament Repair	Absorbable (PDO)	180–210 days absorption
Fascia or Abdominal Wall	Absorbable (PDO)	180–210 days absorption
Mucosal Tissue (Mouth, GI)	Chromic Catgut	90–120 days absorption (with tensile strength loss in 15-20 days from implantation)
Large Animal Orthopedic	Non-absorbable or PDO	14–21 days or absorbed up to 6 months
Small Incisions / Laparoscopy	Topical Adhesive	No removal required; sloughs off naturally
Post-Trauma Skin Repair	Staples	10–14 days, depending on wound healing

 

Factors Affecting How Long Sutures Stay In

Every animal heals differently, but several factors influence how long sutures should remain:

1. Tissue Type – Different tissues heal at varying rates. Skin and mucosa close quickly, while fascia, tendons, or ligaments require longer suture retention to maintain stability and prevent wound dehiscence during delayed tissue regeneration. 
2. Blood Supply – Wounds in areas with rich blood circulation heal faster due to better oxygenation and nutrient delivery. Poorly vascularized regions, such as distal limbs, require sutures to stay longer for proper closure. 
3. Animal Age and Health – Young, healthy animals heal rapidly, while older, malnourished, or immunocompromised patients exhibit slower tissue repair, demanding prolonged suture support and closer postoperative monitoring to prevent delayed wound healing. 
4. Infection Presence – If infection develops at the incision site, it delays tissue recovery and weakens wound integrity. In such cases, sutures may need early removal, replacement, or additional wound-care management. 
5. Suture Material – Absorption varies by composition; synthetic sutures like PDO dissolve gradually, maintaining long-term strength, whereas natural options like Chromic Catgut degrade faster, suiting short-term closures in fast-healing tissues. 
6. Surgical Technique – Meticulous suturing with correct tension and sterile handling ensures minimal trauma, better wound approximation, and reduced complications, directly influencing how long sutures should remain in place for optimal healing. 

Veterinary Post-Surgical Care: After Sutures Are Placed

Proper wound care after surgery is as critical as suture selection. Veterinary staff and pet owners must collaborate to ensure safe healing.

Key Post-operative Care Tips:

• Keep the area clean and dry for at least 48 hours. 
• Use bandages or dressings as recommended. 
• Prevent the animal from licking the wound (use e-collars if necessary). 
• Apply antiseptic solutions only if prescribed. 
• Schedule a follow-up for suture check or removal at the recommended interval. 

These steps prevent irritation, infection, or premature suture failure, ensuring complete recovery.

Conclusion: The Future of Veterinary Wound Closure

Veterinary surgery is rapidly evolving, driven by innovations in synthetic materials, tissue adhesives, and knotless barbed sutures that reduce surgical time, enhance precision, and improve patient comfort. As the official distribution partner of Assut Europe S.P.A., Gexfix International Corp. continues to empower veterinary professionals worldwide with certified, high-quality sutures, adhesives, and staplers engineered to meet the unique demands of modern animal surgery.

With over 30 years of manufacturing excellence, their partnership upholds strict standards for safety, performance, and global compliance, while continuous R&D development drives access to next-generation solutions that set benchmarks in biocompatibility, infection control, and surgical efficiency.

The timeline for suture performance varies, from different suture types and the filament materials. Selecting the proper material and removal time ensures faster recovery, reduced infection risk, and optimal wound strength for every animal patient.

Whether you’re a veterinary surgeon, distributor, or clinic owner, trust Gexfix International Corp. and Assut Europe S.P.A. for proven, compliant, and innovative surgical solutions that elevate animal care from incision to recovery.

Explore our sutures, and stapler solutions today, or Contact us to join our global network advancing veterinary surgery worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the stages of stitches healing?

Healing occurs in three stages: inflammation (1–5 days), tissue formation (5–14 days), and remodeling (2–8 weeks). Proper suture selection and care ensure strong tissue regeneration, reduced infection risk, and minimal scarring during recovery.

2. After stitches are removed, how long does it take to heal?

Once stitches are removed, the skin continues strengthening for 1–2 weeks. Complete healing may take several weeks depending on wound depth, location, and animal health, so gentle care and protection remain essential during this period.

3. Can you leave stitches in longer than 10 days?

In most cases, external non-absorbable sutures should be removed within 10–14 days. Leaving them longer may cause irritation, infection, or scarring unless the tissue or anatomical site requires extended support. Always follow veterinary guidance.

4. How can you relieve pain from stitches?

Pain relief can be managed using prescribed anti-inflammatory medications, gentle wound cleaning, and keeping the incision dry. Prevent the animal from licking or scratching the area to reduce irritation and promote faster, comfortable healing.

5. Should stitches be kept covered or exposed to air?

In the early healing phase, stitches should remain covered with sterile bandages or dressings to prevent contamination. Once initial healing begins, controlled airflow may help dry the wound and promote faster recovery.