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My dog's neuter incision looks open after 7 days, what to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 7 years and 7 months old | 76 lbs

Hi we are about 7 days post neuter and i was laying with my dog and it looks like his incision has opened. It’s not bleeding or oozing but i was wondering what to do. The doctor said she left a little open so that any infection but I was wondering if this looks to big and what to do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 5th, 2020

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.

17Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on July 31st, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That is not normal. At this point it should be basically healed. This is showing signs of incisional dehiscence or opening which is a bit concerning and warrants reevaluation by his veterinarian. It may need re-suturing or it may be determined that it is best to let it heal by second intention so on its own. I recommend that you have him evaluated by his veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. In the meantime, make sure that he is unable to get to his incision to chew or bite at it as this may delay healing or make it worse. You may use an e-collar for this purpose. Have a good night!
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 3rd, 2017
This should be fine to monitor at home. If you are not using a plastic cone around Coach's head to prevent licking / chewing, I would highly recommend doing so otherwise he could potentially open the incision all of the way. If this were to happen, you would definitely need to bring him in to see your vet and have the incision closed again under anesthesia. For now, keep close watch on the area to ensure there is no swelling, drainage or further opening of the incision. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on April 28th, 2021
It looks like it could be a mild, common reaction to the internal suture. I would get him back to the vet for them to have a look and try to remove the suture that's bothering him. If it continues to irritate him, he might start licking and chewing and potentially cause problems.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog pulled neuter stitches. Incision open. Emergency vet needed?

Thank you for the picture of his incision, it's very helpful. After 12 days, the incision should be fully healed, and in the picture, it doesn't look red, swollen, or infected. There is an area in the middle that looks a little open, and that may be from him pulling at the stitches, but it doesn't look fully open. I would put a cone back on him to keep him from pulling at the stitches more, and take him to a regular vet if you can on Monday to get the rest of them removed. There isn't a need for an emergency vet at this point in time. If you cannot get him into another vet on Monday, you can wait until Tuesday to see his normal vet as long his incision doesn't become infected or open up more. Again, keep a cone on him to keep him for getting at the stitches. I hope this helps!

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My dog's neuter incision is open after licking. Is it an emergency?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The incision is open indeed and it will require stapling or re-suturing. A visit at your local vets or emergency service is required as this wound should not be left like this till Monday. If you clean the wound with antiseptic skin solution (ideally containing 4% chlorhexidine, for example Hibiclens) and make sure Chase does not lick the incision, you can wait and see your local vets tomorrow. Alternatively, you should try and get Chase seen at your local 24/7 vets this evening.

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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.

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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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Both incisions do look red, and the incision from his undescended testicle looks as though it may be partially open. Unfortunately even though it had been two weeks it looks to me like the incisions may not have been fully healed and he was able to open them by licking. An infection would also be possible. I would recommend seeing a veterinarian. They might recommend re-suturing the incisions or potentially starting antibiotics and putting the e-collar back on.

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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