Repair Muscle Laceration in Dogs

Repairing a muscle laceration in dogs from a blunt force injury or deep cut could be as simple as sutures in layers up to the skin’s surface or as complicated as surgery to reconnect or repair the deep tissue or muscle beneath the surface of the skin. A cut, or laceration, in a muscle might be caused by an accident or a gash going through the skin and cutting into the muscle. However, treatment for repairing muscle lacerations in dogs can, at times, be similar to repairing muscle tears. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the damage done and recommend the necessary procedure or surgeon if surgery is required.

Many lacerations are superficial, only breaking the skin. A muscle laceration, puncture, or cut is deep enough to penetrate the skin as well as break the muscle tissue. Either way, with a lacerated skin wound or a muscle laceration, your dog will likely need anesthesia for the repair. Sutures for a skin laceration may only require a local anesthetic to numb the minor wound area. However, a muscle laceration will require general anesthesia. You will want to see your veterinarian or the local ER veterinarian as soon as you are able after the incident for emergency repair. The sooner the treatment and repair, the better chances your dog will have to fight infection within the wound.

Your veterinarian may request X-rays to evaluate and observe any bone damage or musculotendon tears. Small muscle lacerations could require minor surgery, but larger and deeper muscle lacerations could potentially involve major surgery. The veterinary surgeon will clean the affected area thoroughly before pulling the lacerated muscles back together and stitching the lacerated ends together. Some major injuries may require draining before closure. A drain would be temporary, but may affect the time your dog needs to stay in the hospital or when the wound can be sutured closed.

As with most emergencies, the quicker your dog is treated, the better the outcome will be. Fully functioning muscles will be dependent on the repair of muscle lacerations. Your dog’s recovery will also be crucial in the healing and regaining functionality process of this repair. Full efficacy will depend on the injury and how well your veterinarian was able to reattach the lacerated muscles. Your dog may be well once recovery has ended, but there may be scars, limps, or physical deformities as a result of the injury and repair. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on expectations for your dog after surgery. Because this kind of injury is usually a result of an unfortunate accident or unexpected trauma, it is imperative the lacerations have some sort of repair. The risk of not doing a repair for muscle lacerations could be detrimental to your dog’s overall health and well-being.

Recovery for a muscle laceration repair is critical for the functionality of the affected muscles. These muscles will be tender and sore for a few weeks. Your dog will need complete rest for up to a month of recovery depending on the severity of the injury and the nature of the surgery. You may go home with medications for swelling as well as antibiotics to cure any infection. Your veterinarian may recommend icing the affected area for ten to twenty minutes at a time a few times a day. Your dog will need to rest, either in a crate or on their own with no playtime. Leash walking will be acceptable for elimination purposes only. Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up visits to check the surgical site and the muscle repair.

The cost for repair of muscle lacerations will vary widely on the scope of the injuries as well as the extent of the repair. A shallow muscle laceration may heal on its own after an office visit, cleaning, and medications to prevent infection. A deep muscle laceration will require surgery. This more complicated surgery would fall under a resection and anastomosis procedure and may cost upward of $2,000. This price usually includes the office visits as well as anesthesia. If your veterinarian wants to do X-rays to check bones and tendons, these can run between $45 and $200 depending on the site, the number of X-Rays needed, and the size of your dog.

A severe and traumatic injury such as one which would lacerate muscles is painful for your dog as well as scary for you to witness or see. Getting emergency treatment in many cases can give your dog the best survival rate. Ignoring this injury and not doing a muscle laceration repair could cause more harm over time including causing potential infection in the open wound. Your dog may have permanent damage after this injury, but doing this repair will give them the best chance of a healthy life.

Unfortunately, the type of injury in which the dog has a laceration which is deep and well into the muscles is almost always accidental or unintentional. These injuries usually come from accidents with blunt force or puncture wounds. Accidents with a vehicle or a fight with another dog could cause such an injury. The best prevention is to keep your dog safe and away from inherent dangers. Muscles can rip, pull, and tear with jumping and running, but deep muscle cuts or lacerations are usually caused by outside harm by way of cutting or puncturing. Keep your dog gated in a backyard or inside your home and away from traffic. Use a leash for your dog when walking in public. This will give you control over your dog and safety from other dogs. Keep items which can puncture or cut your dog away from the dog’s play and sleep areas. The best prevention for muscle or superficial lacerations is to keep your dog safe and within your sight when playing and when outside.