My dog's neuter stitches look split after surgery. Should I see a vet?

Given that it is so early after the surgery it would be best for your pet to be seen. Sutures or staples may need to be replaced and possibly oral antibiotics started. Chewing on the incision allows mouth bacteria to enter the wound. This can be dangerous if not addressed. If you call your vets office they should have a way for pets to be seen when they are closed, either a doctor on call or a number for a close er. You could also google a veterinary emergency clinic in your area. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

A check up would be needed to remove the stitch (which may be an internal one) and allow adequate healing. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/chewing. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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!

This needs to be checked urgently by a vet as this is not normal - the skin edges should be held together by stitches and should heal uneventfully. Pictures may help decide if this is a surgical emergency or if you may see your regular vet but you must apply an elizabethan/buster collar immediately to prevent further injury to the area

He should have been healed after about 2 weeks. If he never had an e-collar (cone) on, he was likely licking the area when you weren't around or during the night. This could have caused the delay in healing. Ideally, he should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as you can. An e-collar should be obtained and placed as soon as possible to prevent further licking. A small tee shirt or onesie may prevent licking until you get a proper e-collar. Antibiotics may be indicated to treat infection. A veterinarian can dispense them, if indicated, after an exam.

Yes, Bear needs to be examined today. If the incision opens up, that will cause delayed healing and possibly infection. Bear should also be wearing an Elizabethan collar at all times to prevent him from looking at the incision. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I would check to see if he pulled any of them out, or if the incision looks red, swollen, or if there is pus coming from it. Should you see any of this, Colt will need to see a vet right away. I would keep an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking at his incision further. You can get one from a pet store or you can make one yourself: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html