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

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | neutered | 6 years and 7 months old

Is my dog's neuter incision infected? If so, is it okay to wait until tomorrow to take him to the vet?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 10th, 2017

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.

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Cara, DVM, cVMA
Veterinarian
Yes, it looks like Shiloh's incision is infected and starting to dehisce (open up). He needs to see a vet as soon as possible to get the incision cleaned and get him started on antibiotics. He will definitely need an e-collar as well. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on April 7th, 2019
Hi there. It looks like there is a small amount of green discharge in the center of the incision, which can be a sign of infection. The surrounding skin is also a little red and swollen. So yes, I would recommend having this rechecked by your vet. It looks like Milo may need an antibiotic to treat the infection while the incision is healing.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Penelope Graben, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 22nd, 2019
Hello,

Unfortunately, this incision doesn't look great.
This incision appears very inflamed and possibly infected. It looks like he has licked it open fairly deep. Please place a cone on his head to prevent this. I recommend taking him to his vet for a recheck to have them better look at the sutures and make sure it's closed enough.

I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Emily, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 30th, 2017
Hello
I recommend having this looked at by your veterinarian. It could be a reaction to the sutures dissolving but this could also be an infection. I recommend Rocky Road be prevented from licking/scratching at the site until your vet can take a look at it.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

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

Health & Wellness

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's neuter incision is infected and he has diarrhea. Should I call a vet?

Poor Coco! This incision definitely looks swollen and possibly infected. Some dogs will have a local reaction to the internal sutures and become infected as they start to dissolve. Your vet will be able to put him on some meds and anti-inflammatories to help with this. The diarrhea could be unrelated or secondary to the stress of the infection. Your vet will be able to check his fecal and get him on some medicine for that as well. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's neuter incision looks red and inflamed. Is it infected after surgery?

Batman's incision appears quite red and inflamed. I can't zoom in far enough to be certain, but I'm questioning whether or not the top portion of the incision may also be slightly open. Based on the appearance of his incision, I think there's a high likelihood of infection. I strongly recommend taking Batman to see his vet today or tomorrow for further evaluation. He'll need antibiotics if an infection is diagnosed and will likely need anti-inflammatory pain medications if he isn't already receiving them. Given this redness, he's clearly been licking at his incision quite a bit. Since he's a little guy, you could try putting a baby onesie on him in the crate or use an inflatable donut collar ( I hope that the rest of Batman's recovery goes smoothly!

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

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

Health & Wellness

My puppy licked his neuter incision. Should I call the emergency vet?

Hello, thank you for your question about Pablo. Based on the photo that you have attached I am worried that Pablo may have caused a skin infection around his surgical incision. The area appears very red and inflamed and I can also appreciate some discharge. I would recommend having Pablo seen by a veterinarian so that they can further evaluate the area and discuss treatment options. If left untreated skin infections can sometimes compromise the healing of his incision. Hope this helps, good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share