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My dog's neuter incision looks infected 4 days post-op, but he's fine?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 56.7 lbs

Is my dogs neutering stitch infected? 4 days post op. No signs of pain, eating & drinking normal, going to the bathroom normal, and lots of energy. No foul smell.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 17th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Thor. Thank you for providing a picture, it's really helpful! That looks like there is pus and the incision is open. It does look infected. I'd take him into a vet immediately to get this treated. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 28th, 2019
Hello, thank you for your question about Kobe.

Based on the photos you've provided I believe that Kobe's incision appears to be healing well and looks fairly normal. A small amount of redness, swelling, or clear discharge is to be expected as the incision heals.

Things that I would be concerned about and that would prompt having Kobe rechecked would be colored/odorous discharge from the incision site, significant swelling, redness, or heat. If Kobe develops any of these symptoms it is possible that he could have an incision site infection.

Hope this helps, good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on March 3rd, 2021
I think it looks like Jackson's incision is healing beautifully! There's a little bit of bruising and redness, but this minor amount is pretty normal. The most important things you can do to help Jackson heal are to keep an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent any licking or chewing, and to try to keep him relatively quiet (easier said than done, I realize!) for the next week. If you notice significant swelling, worsening redness, or any discharge, these are all signs of infection that should be addressed by his veterinarian. Otherwise, just give him another week or so to finish healing. Congratulations on your new addition! :-)
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

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

My dog's neuter incision looks infected. Should I go to the vet now?

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From your photo I can tell you that this looks seriously infected and does not look very good post-neuter. I would get him in as soon as you can for treatment before this affects healthy surrounding tissue. He will likely need to be sedated and have the dead tissue removed for treatment and placed on a course of oral antibiotics and pain medications to reduce inflammation. If he has been chewing at the area, he must wear a plastic cone at all times to prevent him from getting to the incision. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns you may have. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Dog's neuter wound infected after peroxide, now vomiting. What's wrong?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It does look like it may be infected. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They can flush it and clean it well and start him on antibiotics. He will get better on the right therapy. They can also examine him for possible causes of vomiting such as gastroenteritis and perhaps start him on something for nausea. Have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

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

My dog has dried pus 3 days post-neuter. Should I see a vet?

Hello. If the area looks at all moist, red, inflamed or swollen, then please see your veterinarian soo. If the area looks relatively quiet & dry, then I would not be concerned. If you can post a picture, this may be helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Dog's neuter incision opened. Is swelling and pink discharge normal?

Yes from your description of what’s happened this looks ok. Continue with the cone and walk him if needed to reduce his energy level. As long as the discharge is on the clear side without an odor that’s fine. If it becomes yellowish with a foul odor he may be getting an infection. If so please take him back for a recheck and probably oral antibiotics. Every day this should improve and he should be healed up in a few day to a week. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Niko.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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