My dog has a fluid lump at the spay incision site. Is it a seroma?

This is most likely a seroma which is just a fluid pocket. But a seroma can inhibit healing if it is too big. I would have your vet look at it so they can drain it. Your vet will be able to confirm that it is a seroma and that there isn’t any pus or infection involved. After it is drained you can put a warm compress on it for 10 minutes twice a day to help prevent the fluid from coming back. Sometimes it will return and need to be drained again. Also make sure you are keeping her confined as too much activity can also cause these to form post-op. I hope this helps!

Larger dogs or dogs that are playful after a procedure can develop a seroma at the incision site. These firm bumps under the skin at the incision and are not painful. Sometimes they can drain and be fluid-filled. They will go away completely as healing takes place, but it may take a little longer than the normal 10 days for healing. It is still there after 2 weeks, begins to ooze any fluid, or gets noticeably larger, then I would have it rechecked. It's unlikely to be a hernia, particularly if it resolves on it's own. For some dogs, warm (not hot) compresses applied a few times per day can be helpful.

If the area is leaking a clear/light pinkish fluid, that makes me thing she has a seroma. A seroma is a collection of fluid, usually occurring at an incision site. This is not a medical emergency, so I would wait to take Lily into the vet until Monday. Keep her quiet and rested until then, no running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a lead only, and bring her right back in when done. I would keep an eye on the swelling, and if pus starts coming out, or it becomes red, swollen, or warm to the touch, then I would bring her into a vet right away.

Thank you for providing a picture of Mabel's incision! This small lump could be a local tissue reaction from an internal suture, scar tissue, a seroma (fluid in the dead space from a surgery), or a cyst. I'm not sure if the lump is hard or soft. The incision itself looks like it healed beautifully, but i would have this lump checked out by the vet to be safe. The vet can diagnose what is causing it and if it needs any treatment. Good luck, I hope this helps!

This likely was a little seroma and the body actually evacuated it all by itself. This is not infection, but a natural reaction of the body to the insult (wound). As long as the incision did not open up there should be no problem. Make sure Dave cannot lick the incision (e-collar! at all times) and the incision does not get very swollen, painful , hot, and angry red, all is well. Should it turn like I described you will need to take Dave back to your vet for a recheck.

The site itself looks good. No swelling, redness or bruising and it appears closed. The slight discharge does not appear to be frank blood. It looks like it may be fluid from a seroma. Seromas can occur after surgery. Continue to monitor the site, If the discharge increases or has a bad odor then see your veterinarian. Monitor Delilah for lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. These are symptoms that should also be addressed by your vet. Keep an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking or chewing of the site. You can use a diluted betadine or Hibiclens solution around the site to keep the area clean.

This is a pustule probably from a buried suture knot. The suture is absorbable but it takes several months to dissolve and sometimes the knot can cause irritation and a small infected pustule. I recommend taking Patti to your veterinarian and they can feel if there is suture left in the incision. It can be removed now that the incision is healed. Generally when the pustule is opened the knot is exposed and can be cut off and removed with suture scissors. Then the skin will be cleaned and it should heal up quickly once the knot is gone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Patti Mayonnaise.