My cat's surgery incision is red. Is licking and loose skin normal?

Then incision is more red than I would expect it to at this time. It could be just because he has been too active, or it could be early signs of an infection. If it is more red tomorrow then it is probably an infection. I would confine him to a small bathroom where he can’t jump around and keep his mouth away from the incision. Either a onsie or the e-collar needs to be on at all times to protect him from opening the incision. I would encourage you to have a follow up appointment with your veterinarian tomorrow to examine the incision and see if he needs antibiotics. I don’t see any need for an emergency clinic appointment today. Best of luck and I hope he heals soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor T! The redness below the incision can be from normal bruising after surgery. As long as it doesn't get worse it should fade over the next several days. If T is lethargic, not eating, the skin is hot or painful or if the redness worsens I would have her rechecked today by your vet. I wish T a speedy recovery!

All in all, I think that Tokyo's incision looks perfectly normal for being about 10 days post-op. I can see that she's likely been licking the center part a bit more than she should have been since the tissue is still slightly red. However, it's still healing nicely. Since this area is a bit red, I would try to put an e-collar (cone) or baby onesie on Tokyo for the next few days to prevent her from licking at it. The white areas that you're seeing look like normal fibrin-rich tissues, which are normal in the healing process and will fall off shortly. I hope that she continues to heal well!

I agree with your vet that the area will heal with time. However, Gypsy has the potential to get the area infected or open it up more if she continues to lick at it, so you need to use an e-collar or such to prevent her from licking. If the area continues to ooze, becomes red or swollen or the incision opens up more, then I would certainly contact your veterinarian again. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Gypsy heals quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Oliver. The incision site appears slightly red in color. However, there is no discharge visible and I do not see areas that appear to be opening. I think that it is healing very well. Please keep the collar on him at all times to prevent any further licking. He should heal up very well. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for providing a picture of Zaharah's incision. It looks like it's healing well to me, it's not very red and some scabbing is normal. I hope she continues to recover well from her emergency surgery!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The incision looks ok and if she is eating/drinking and playing well then it sounds like she is healing well. Sleeping more after surgery is normal. Watch for signs of vomiting, weakness, not eating, not drinking, discharge from the incision (blood, yellow/green), or pain/redness/swelling around the site. If these occur have her back to your vet. Otherwise, it sounds like she is doing well. Just make sure she can't lick at the incision, and if she is licking get an E-collar to prevent it, other than that there is nothing to speed up the healing. Best of luck with your girl.