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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 8 months and 15 days old | 50 lbs

I just had my dog neutered but he seems to be having a lot of redness and swelling

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on August 2nd, 2020

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.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on September 18th, 2021
Hi and thanks for your request.
This kind of appearance could be fairly normal after surgery and may be due to the a small amount of blood accumulating underneath the skin of the scrotum. The surgical wound you showed on the pic looks fairly normal right now.
I would recommend to wait at this stage, restrict exercise and keep the buster collar on at all times.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 6th, 2019
Hello, and thanks for your question about Lonzo. Yes, it is normal to have some bruising of the scrotum after a neuter. This bruising can actually show up almost immediately, and it can take a week or so to resolve. It should get slowly but steadily better each day.

You're welcome to post a photo if you want more specific input! But likely normal.

Hope this helps!
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 25th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about Sabio! This looks like it could be bruising due to the surgery. I would recommend an e-collar for him when you are not directly next to him (many dogs do end up licking when we are not home) and confinging him to a small room or kennel so he can't jump/run indoors, continue your good practice of short leash walks to potty. You can apply a cold pack (ice wrapped in a dry towel) to the area for 10 minutes a few times a day if he will tolerate this. If the area increases in size, the scrotum becomes more swollen or seems painful, the incision has draining, or he seems lethargic, has pale gums or develops other bruised looking areas then he should be seen by his vet.
2Pet 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'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

Health & Wellness

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog looks intact after neuter, but has hard bumps. Is this normal?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect the hard bumps in the scrotum is swelling or haematoma caused by castration. The swelling should disappear in the next few days. However if the scrotum is painful or hot to touch, you should take Einstein to your local vets for an appointment.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is mopey and swollen after neuter. Should I be worried?

I wouldn't be too worried yet. But it does sound like He may be a little uncomfortable. If the veterinarian sent home pain medication I would make sure to give it as directed. If they didn't I would give them a call to discuss (there are not any over the counter pain medications that are safe to give ). The (mild) scrotal swelling is very normal. Keeping him inactive and resting for the next week is helpful in preventing the swelling from worsening. If Boog stops eating, if the swelling get suddenly worse, if his gums look pale at any point then I would have him rechecked by a vet. Hope boog is back to himself very soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's neuter site swollen, black, painful. Is it an emergency?

Poor Quentin! From what I can see in the photo, it does look like he has some swelling and discoloration of the scrotum, and a small amount of bruising around the incision site itself. These issues can sometimes happen after a neuter - they're more common if the dog has been too active (I know this is hard to avoid sometimes!), but sometimes they just happen as a result of the surgery itself, just like post-op swelling and soreness in humans. If your pup is still eating and drinking normally, and seems alert and otherwise okay apart from being sore and reluctant to move around much, then it would be reasonable to wait until Monday to have him checked out by your regular veterinarian. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medication, as there are no OTC human options that are safe for use in dogs. In the meantime, you can use a warm compress on the area (a washcloth soaked in warm water, and then wrung out) for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day if he'll let you - this can help some with the soreness, and help the swelling resolve more quickly. I would also restrict his exercise as much as possible (crate rest would be best), since the more he moves around, the more he will aggravate the swelling. Make sure he isn't licking the incision or his scrotum at all, as this will also make things worse - use an e-collar (plastic cone) if needed to prevent this. If you feel that the swelling and bruising is continuing to get worse over the course of the weekend, or if your pup is not eating or acting extremely depressed/lethargic, then the safest bet would be to have him seen at your nearest emergency clinic to make sure there's nothing more serious going on.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy's scrotum feels hard after neuter surgery. Is it normal?

It actually looks likes it is healing great. If the scrotum as painful and swollen I would have it checked out but if it is not painful, no fever, no discharge I would just watch him. It may seem firmer because it is shriveling up post surgery. The area looks great though! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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