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Why is my dog's neuter incision hard with stitches still visible?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Male | neutered | 1 year and 4 months old | 19 lbs

My dog was neutered on Oct 6 with dissolvable stitches. On Oct 16 they removed some of the stitches that "the body was rejecting". Now, Oct 31, it looks like there are still some stitches left. Additionally, the entire raised area feels hard underneath like there could be stitches left in there

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 31st, 2023

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Neuter incisions are closed with two layers of stitches. Your vet only removed the outer layer of stitches. The inside layer is never removed and will eventually dissolve. There is still a chance he is having a suture reaction to the inside layer. Typically this will resolve on its own over time with no treatment. Occasionally, if the issue doesn't resolve, a second surgery must be done to remove the old "inside" stitches and replace them with a different type of suture material.

I suggest you keep a cone collar on Cosmo until the issue is completely resolved. If he licks this area too much this will cause a severe problem, a possible infection and he may even open the incision. I don't recommend you put anything on the incision. It's best to leave it be.

If the swelling gets worse, or there is discharge from the incision then he definitely needs to go back to the vet. If Cosmo is very uncomfortable then you may also want to take him back to the vet so they can prescribe an anti-inflammatory for him.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Hello, customer service emailed me your photo. Based on this photo I would not be worried at all. The incision looks fine.

    Just continue to monitor that area and if you notice any discharge, redness or the incision opens up then take him back to the vet. I am not worried about he the incision being firm. jThere are stitches inside and he may be having a minor reaction to it. Do not apply anything topically to the incision.

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 14th, 2020

    Poor guy. This actually looks very much like a delayed suture reaction to the sutures that were placed internally during his neuter. This isn't very common but we do get a few cases like this. Because of the seepage, I would suggest taking Blue to your vet to get him on some medication to help calm the inflammation and also antibiotics will likely be recommended b/c most of these do get a mild infection at the site.
    Until you can get him seen by your vet, you can clean the area with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water to help reduce the bacteria there and also help calm down some of the inflammation. I would also make sure he is not licking the area and making it worse. To do this you will need to purchase an e-collar (cone) from your local pet store.
    I hope that Blue's delayed reaction resolves soon! Best of luck and take care.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 23rd, 2017

    That should be ideally checked by your veterinarian as the problem could be to either a tissue reaction from stitches or incomplete healing and small abdominal herniation. In case of abdominal/humbilical hernia, depending on the size, it should repaired surgically. In case of a reaction, anti-inflammatory meds are required.
    I would recommend to put the buster collar on to avoid further licking.

    Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's neuter incision is puffy or swollen. Should I worry?
Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The incision appears to be closed, although it isn't a pretty incision, it is functional. : )There is one area that has a pustule (infected pocket) there, but it should heal with the antibiotics that he is on. This is a common thing that occurs in pets that have a mild reaction to the sutures or staples placed, nothing serious to be concerned about at this time. So far, this looks to be healing appropriately. : ) Keep an eye on the pustule there, it may rupture, and if it does just wipe it with a clean dry towel and make sure the incision does not get wet in any way. Also ensure that Waffles keeps his e-collar on at all times to avoid him getting to the incision and potentially taking out staples, which could cause this to open up. With the antibiotics on board, the incision and pustule should heal completely by day 10. Keep an eye out also for any profuse drainage, separation of the incision line, or increased redness, and get this rechecked by your vet sooner if seen. For now, things look quite stable. : ) I hope that Waffles continue to heal well post neuter. Best of luck and take care.
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My dog's neuter incision is irritated. Is it an internal stitch?
It sounds like Panda may be having a reaction to the suture that is still under the skin. In these cases the dog typically needs to be put on an antibiotic and a steroid to help it clear up. I would recommend taking Panda back to the vet for another incision recheck and explain your concerns. This far out from surgery he should not have to wear the collar anymore unless there is an issue. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.
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My dog's neuter stitches are exposed. Is this normal, or what do I do?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like the knot under the skin has worked it’s way out. I would continue to use an ecollar to prevent Tucker from licking the incision and opening it up. If after the 2 weeks of healing time the suture is still present, take him to the vet that did the surgery so they can cut it off. If you notice the incision opening, take him to a vet right away to determine if he needs antibiotics. Good luck and kisses to Tucker!
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Dog neuter stitches: Is discharge normal 5 days after surgery?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The photo looks like there is a little crusted discharge around the incision, which is OK. As long as the swelling continues to stay down, and you don't see yellow, thick, purulent liquid coming from the incision site, he will likely be OK. Winston should absolutely be wearing an Elizabethan collar (cone collar) AT ALL TIMES until his sutures are removed. It is best to restrict his activity too so that he is not stretching or pulling at his stitches. I hope this is helpful!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
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Why isn't my dog's neuter incision healing after two months?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At least based on these pictures, this looks almost healed. It just has a small area that appears to be close to healing but not quite. While neosporin is ok, I think the main thing to make it completely heal is making sure that he is unable to get to it and chew or lick at it. Please make sure to use an e-collar to try to prevent this. If you are able to keep him from getting to his incision, I think you should be able to get it to heal. You can continue to use the neosporin as that may speed up the healing process. However, make sure to not pick at any scabs as that will usually delay healing. Good luck and have a good night!
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My dog's neuter incision looks open after 7 days, what to do?
Hello. I have never heard of leaving a dog neuter incision open like this. We do it in cats & horses, but not dogs. If this is your veterinarians practice, then he should have sent home a Elizabethan cone to prevent Cutty from getting to & licking the incision. Personally, I do not like the way it looks & really think it needs to be cleaned up & sutured closed. Until you can see your vet, please purchase a protective collar to keep him from licking & clean the area 2-3 times daily with a povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine skin cleanser. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
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My dog's neuter incision looks puffy 8 days later. Is the tattoo red?
The incision looks a little "puffier" than I'd like. If there hasn't been any drainage from the incision, you can just put an E-collar on him (if he's not already wearing one ) and clean it 1-2 times a day with a plain saline wound wash (available at most pharmacies, usually in a pressurized can to spray). Do not use peroxide or alcohol. If there is any drainage from the incision, please take him to your vet. The area with the tattoo is quite inflamed; again, make sure he's not licking at it. You can apply something like this to the area to help reduce the inflammation: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zymox-hydrocortison-cream If it is painful to him when you touch it, please take him in for a recheck. Thank you for asking PetCoach!
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