If knots are tied improperly, dehissence is the consequence often with life-threatening consequences. Elizabethan collars may be helpful in certain species for breaking the irritation-mutilation cycle, but also may be stressful for unconditioned animals. Cyanoacrylate glues may be used for skin closure instead of sutures, but if applied to wet or unclean wound margins will crystallize into glass-like compounds in the incision. Contrast with the white bedding may be helpful in identifying animals where there may be problems with hemorrhage or other discharge from the incision. An ounce of prevention is clearly worth a pound of cure with regard to incisions.
Antibiotics are a poor substitute for good surgical technique.
In certain animals, antibiotic usage can predispose to enterotoxemia and other agents may be nephrotoxic. If antibiotics are indicated, a single dose should be given intravenously 0-2 hours prior to the first incision or preoperatively allowing sufficient time to obtain efficacious blood levels. Giving the first dose by any route in the middle or at the conclusion of a surgical procedure is worthless. Use of Antibiotics. In addition, we live in a day and age when one can acquire infection caused by bacteria that are resistant to all antibiotics.