A sugar glider has just been castrated and the owner reports the animal is chewing the sutures. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

A sugar glider has just been castrated and the owner reports the animal is chewing the sutures. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

• A. Re-suture the incision
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Topical antiseptic
• D. E-collar

Answer: (D)

The immediate priority is to prevent the animal from accessing and chewing the incision so it can heal without disruption. An Elizabethan collar (E-collar) accomplishes this by blocking the mouth and facial area from the sutures, reducing the risk of wound dehiscence, infection, and delayed healing. Other options don’t address the main problem. Re-suturing is only appropriate if the incision has already failed or dehisced; it’s not the first move when the animal is actively chewing. Antibiotics are only needed if there are signs of infection, not simply due to chewing. Topical antiseptic helps with surface cleanliness but does not stop the mechanical action of licking or chewing that can disrupt the repair. In small exotic patients like sugar gliders, ensure the collar fits safely and doesn’t obstruct breathing or hydration, and monitor for stress. The goal is to protect the wound long enough for natural healing to proceed.

The immediate priority is to prevent the animal from accessing and chewing the incision so it can heal without disruption. An Elizabethan collar (E-collar) accomplishes this by blocking the mouth and facial area from the sutures, reducing the risk of wound dehiscence, infection, and delayed healing.

Other options don’t address the main problem. Re-suturing is only appropriate if the incision has already failed or dehisced; it’s not the first move when the animal is actively chewing. Antibiotics are only needed if there are signs of infection, not simply due to chewing. Topical antiseptic helps with surface cleanliness but does not stop the mechanical action of licking or chewing that can disrupt the repair.

In small exotic patients like sugar gliders, ensure the collar fits safely and doesn’t obstruct breathing or hydration, and monitor for stress. The goal is to protect the wound long enough for natural healing to proceed.