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My dog's neuter site is red/swollen. Is this normal or infected?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 85 lbs

My one year old lab was just neutered yesterday. His area looks red and swollen is this normal or infected?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 16th, 2020

Hello. The scrotal area is bruised, but there is no indication of infection. Make sure Hank is not licking at the incision. If he is not already wearing a cone or something to keep him from reaching the area, I would put one on & leave it on when you are not with him. He may not like it, but it will allow the incision to heal much faster. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

50Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 20th, 2018
Thank you for providing pictures of Adam's incision! I see there is some redness around the incision, but given that the neutered was preformed yesterday, I'm not too concerned about it. The incision itself looks like it's staying together, and I'm not seeing any swelling. Certainly check on it twice daily, and if the redness gets worse or spreads, you see swelling, the area is warm to the touch, or you see pus, the incision starts to open up, then I would be concerned and he will need to see a vet asap. Make sure he doesn't lick the area, keeping his Ecollar on him at all times. Also restrict his exercise so he can heal properly. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 7th, 2018
The incision in the picture appears to be absolutely normal. There is likely some scabbing occurring over the incision site which is to be expected. The immediate area around the incision looks healthy and is not reddened at all and there does not appear to be any significant inflammation. I would monitor the area for now and if you begin to notice redness, swelling, heat around the area, discharge, etc. then I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at Deuce so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 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.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on August 24th, 2019
The area looks pretty clean. It is normal for a little swelling as the area starts to knit together and heal, however if it gets really red, painful, hot to the touch, splits apart or starts to ooze debris, having it looked at by your vet in person is best as these can indicate potential infection.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on October 10th, 2019
His incision looks a little red and there is still some swelling in his scrotum. I recommend to call your vet and have Sammy rechecked. The doctor may change his cone to a soft collar or may send you home with a cream to apply. If the doctor is concerned with infection, Sammy will get an antibiotic. The swelling in the scrotum will decrease with time and is not uncommon in a more mature male. Continue to have him wear the cone at all times and keep his activity significantly restricted. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog's scrotum is swollen after neuter. Is it infected or painful?

Poor guy...that does look uncomfortable. It may be infected, but I would suspect a discharge at the incision or a fever, lethargy. It is more likely that this is a scrotal hematoma. These typically do resolve in their own, but it can take weeks. Keep his activity level as low as possible to discourage more swelling, continue the anti inflammatory medication, make sure he cannot bite or lick it by using a “cone” if needed. It can provide some relief if he will allow you to do a cold compress on the area. Try wrapping an ice pack with cloth and apply to the area for 15 minutes..three times daily. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has redness and swelling after neutering. Is this normal?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Swelling of scrotum is not uncommon after neutering. As long as the swelling is not painful to touch, is not bothering Sheldon and he is acting as normal, you can monitor him at home. However, if the scrotum becomes hot to touch, painful or your dog is lethargic, you should take him back to your vets for a course of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. Typically, this kind of swelling goes down a few days after castration.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's neuter site is swollen, red, and itchy. Is this normal?

Based on the photo, it does not appear to be infected or overly swollen. There is likely some discomfort from the incision healing (itchiness) and pain from the procedure. If you believe that the pain is not well controlled, I would reach out to your veterinarian to discuss additional pain medications. Continue to monitor for any signs of infection such as discharge, swelling and redness. I hope this helps!

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 stitches are swollen and bloody. Should I see a vet?

If there were stitches in place it's possible they may have torn since the area looks open (it's hard to tell from a photo alone). If the are is oozing or stitches are obviously torn open I would bring Hank back to your vet for care. Otherwise, keeping the area clean and dry can help prevent infection. Hank should also be on strict kennel rest and leashed-walks only along with an Elizabethan (cone) collar to prevent him from pulling any stitches until healed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

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!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What are signs of infection after puppy neuter surgery 3 days ago?

There appears to be some bruising there but if the incision is not warm, swollen, opening, nor have any discharge these are good signs. Given the bruising, activity restriction and an e collar will remain important. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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