Is this an emergency???

Question
I don't know what to do or if this is an emergency or normal and my normal Vet is closed until 7:30 tomorrow morning so please let me know if the following problem can wait until then.... My pug had ear surgery today, I forgot the technical name but they took out his ear canal for numerous reasons mostly involving recurrent ear infections. They gave me the E-collar but said I only had to put it on if he started scratching his ear, which he has not at all (I've been watching him like a hawk since I picked him up). He was shaking his head pretty violently at the vet and they said that was okay and (obviously) the collar won't prevent that. I thought everything was fine then I look down and he is laying down like normal but the side of his face is dripping blood onto the bed. I take a closer look and I see what looks like broken stitches and bare tissue covered in blood. It's not bleeding profusely, and I didn't get a great look earlier, but this does not look normal or good... I think the violent head shaking broken the stitches open but maybe there is supposed to be tissue showing? I don't know and the closest emergency vet is almost an hour away and I maxed my credit card out for the surgery and won't be able to pay up front like an emergency vet I have never seen will likely want... What should I do? I left a message on my Vets answering machine, can I wait until morning or do I need to do something now? (Just FYI he is sleeping peacefully now and the blood trickle is minimal but I am still worried)

Answer
Oh my Gosh Veronica!! I NEVER got this e-mail from ALLExpers.com, so PLEASE forgive me for this very late answer!!As a matter of fact, they just e-mailed me to ask me if I had ever received this question, which I had NOT. I WILL be letting them know that as well.

Now it's been a few days since this surgery and question so I am guessing you contacted your vet in the meantime. What you saw is pretty normal for a total ear canal ablation (that's the technical name). Shaking normally won't cause stitches to open but ANY scratching will, and quite quickly!

So sometimes the irritation and swelling will cause the stitches to be very tight, then the swelling starts to go down and you see little gaps.

Please let me know if you HAVE seen your vet and that is was resolved, and again, I DO apologize profusely!!

Jana