Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Cat neutered yesterday, still bleeding and wound looks bad. Normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 8 months and 2 days old | 13.6 lbs

My cat Yuki was neutered yesterday morning. Doctor said she didn't put stitches. And said he doesn't need a surgery cone. But he was licking the area so the day after i got him one. He moves around, eats, uses his litter. But I feel like the surgery area was looking better yesterday. It is been 36 hours since surgery but he is still bleeding. We see drops of blood over here and there. And the area doesn't look good to me. I am really worried. Is this normal? I attached photos. Thanks!

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the photos you provided, I would recommend having the veterinarian take a look at this. This should be cleaned up with an antiseptic solution and potentially closed using stitches. I would also consider an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. A plastic cone should be used if Yuki is licking. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please remember to rate this answer as helpful or not. Thank you!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on March 28th, 2018
The picture is very hard to decipher, but I think it is the nature of a dark color fur and skin lesions don’t show up
Well in pictures anyway. I am a little worried because it is different then the left side. I am hopeful that it is just a deep scab and is healing well, but I also worry it could be an early sign of infection. I would encourage you to have a follow up appointment with your veterinarian. In the meantime you can compress the area with a warm water and Epsom salt compress. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on November 11th, 2019
The incision edges should be apposed (lined up). You may see some discharge, but it shouldn't be excessively bloody discharge. There may also still be some swelling and redness. Post a picture of Bo's incision so we can help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on June 3rd, 2019
Hi there. It looks like a small part of the skin incision may be open a bit, but I don’t see any swelling or drainage, which are the most common signs of infection.

This will probably heal over just fine - but to be safe, I would recommend having your regular veterinarian take a quick look. He/she may want to prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the open area of incision from becoming infected as it heals.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Female cat spay: Is her incision healing? What about the stitches?

Hi. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From the pictures the incision looks ok; though be sure you are monitoring at home make sure there is no discharge, opening of the incision, swelling, heat or redness at the incision line. Make sure that Yuki isn't licking or chewing at the incision. Do not clean or wipe the incision line as this can irritate it and cause Yuki to try to lick. Do no apply any medications. If you notice any swelling or discharge, please take her back to the veterinarian. Also monitor that she is eating, drinking and urinating/defecating normally. The incision line will take 10-14 days to heal.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat's neuter stitches are oozing. How to stop licking and care?

It looks like Mordred may have been pulling out her sutures. In 2 pictures there are 3 while in the third picture there are only two. I would recommend taking her back to the veterinarian to have them evaluate her and also recommend getting her an elizabethan collar. Typically after this procedure, it is best to keep them quiet for about 10 days but cats are hard to keep quiet so we do the best we can to help them recover. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat's surgery incision has blood, stitches missing. Is it healing?

The photo didn't come through. A small amount of spotting can be normal and generally the incisions on cats heal quickly even if they open up a little. As long as he's eating and acting normal I'm not overly concerned about this. Keeping the cone on will prevent his licking the area and it will heal more quickly. Should the incision look very red or have a bad odor then I would take him back to have it checked. I expect though that it will improve every day. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lucas.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat peed blood after neutering. Is it an emergency or normal?

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. It is not common to see blood in the urine in male cats after neutering. The blood yu are seeing may be from the incision site. In any case, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Neutered cat overgrooming raw, bleeding scrotum. What should I do?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Buddy. Poor boy. I would put the cone back on him, and get him an appointment with the vet. If it's infected he needs antibiotics to treat it. Give his vet a call in the morning to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My kitten was neutered. Is his healing normal? Why no litter box?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Tristan! Mild redness and swelling is normal. If you want to repost pictures we can take a look. As for not using his litter box, he could be stressed. I would confine him for a few days with his litter box to retrain him to use it. Also then you can be sure he is urinating normal sized spots. There could also be some inflammation. If he still isn't using the litter box appropriately by tuesday call your vet, he may need more pain medications. For the next 2 days just be sure is is producing urine and eating. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is clingy after neuter. Is his incision normal 5 days later?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From your pictures you have provided, I would strongly suggest taking Buddy in to have the neuter incision rechecked. It looks infected and looks as though the wound will open up further. The sooner this is seen the better. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. This likely needs to be cleaned up and Buddy needs to be on an oral antibiotic.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share