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My dog's neuter incision is red after licking. Should I worry?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 15 lbs

My dog got neutered about 4 days ago. He got his cone off and licked at it a little, now it’s a bit red. Should I be worried?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 29th, 2019

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Oreo. It does look a bit red but I would keep an eye on it for now. If it gets redder, the incision appears open, and/or it looks infected, have him seen by a vet right away. Try to make sure the cone stays on at all times. I hope this helps!

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 27th, 2021
Hello. The incision does look a little open, but I do not think you have any infection at this time. Keep the collar on him & pick up a bottle of Betadine skin cleanser at your pharmacy. Put some warm water in a bowl & add enough Betadine to make the water a strong tea color. Gently clean the area, but do not rinse. Just dab dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do this 2-3 times a day until you can see your veterinarian just in case Osio needs further treatment. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on October 8th, 2019
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Tyro. Oh no, it does look like he got a suture out, and it appears as if the incision has opened up a bit. The sooner you can get that closed again, the better, so if you can take him into a vet tonight, that would be ideal. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Paula Simons
Veterinarian
Published on March 22nd, 2022
I'm sorry that T got his cone off. It certainly looks like he made his incision quite irritated. It doesn't look like he completely opened the incision. Many times during a neuter, vets will use under the skin sutures, so luckily those look like they are still intact. I would continue to monitor him and make sure the swelling improves and that he doesn't develop an infection. I don't think you need to rush him to the emergency vet right now.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Is my dog's neuter incision infected? He licked it through the cone.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Keela. The incision site appears intact. The redness and bruising mainly seems to involve the surrounding skin. It is unlikely infected at this time, but I worry that it will become so if he continues to lick. I recommend trying a larger size collar on him so that he cannot access the surgical site. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog licked his neuter incision after getting wet. Is it infected?

It is just red from him licking it. It looks fine. Just be sure to get the cone on him so that he cannot remove it. Typically lacing it through the collar and putting the collar on tight enough that you can only get two fingers between it and the neck will prevent them from removing it. I suggest you get this wound spray gel to put on it until healed. This should keep it from getting infected. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-for-pets I would not be worry about him getting it wet, that will not dissolve the sutures.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Should I be worried about my dog's red neuter incision from the cone?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The red area next to his incision looks like some bruising that likely occurred due to trauma/pinching of the area during surgery. Bruising can worsen during the first 2-3 days following a procedure, but should start to improve after that time. The dried blood/crusting around his incision is not abnormal either. If Charlie Brown will tolerate it, you can gently wipe the crusting away using a damp wash cloth once daily, but not any more frequent than this. I definitely recommend keeping Charlie Brown's Elizabethan collar on AT ALL TIMES until his sutures are removed by your veterinarian to prevent him from licking at the area and causing trauma/increasing the risk of an incisional infection. If the bruising worsens after day 3-4 post-op, and/or you notice yellow/thick, foul-smelling discharge, and/or if any of the sutures seem to have fallen out, I recommend having Charlie Brown seen by your veterinarian right away. Otherwise, I recommend monitoring the area and keeping his E-collar on. Best of luck with Charlie Brown! And THANK YOU for neutering your pet!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's neuter incision is red and he's licking it. Is it infected?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem if the redness does not improve in the next 4 days.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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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

Training & Behavior

My dog's neuter incision is red with pus after licking. Infected?

By licking the incision your dog licked bacteria into it and now there is an infection. You should take Bentley back to the vet for a recheck. He will likely need prescription antibiotics and a bigger e-collar.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog licked incision red & swollen. Are sutures open? Vet check?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the photo, it looks like Milo has sutures under the skin, which you cannot see. There does seem to be a mild amount of swelling and redness of the incision, and a very slightly opened area. Swelling and redness, especially if accompanied by discharge, are signs of infection. Milo should definitely be wearing his E-collar at all times. Licking and chewing can cause the sutures to loosen and the incision to open. You can apply a warm compress the the area several times a day to reduce swelling and promote healing. If you notice that incision opens more, there is any bleeding or discharge, or the area feels hot to the touch, Milo should be seen by his vet as soon as possible. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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