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My dog's spay incision is red and inflamed. Should I be worried?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bernese Mountain Dog | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old | 93 lbs

My Bernese Mountain Dog was spayed on July 14th. On August 3rs it started getting a bit red. This coincided with the date when we took off the collar as per the vet recommendation, and we believed she licked. Since then we have been cleaning daily with saline and applying bepanthene plus (Dexpanthenol + Chlorhexidine hydrochloride). It now looks less inflammated. First pic was on August 3rd, second was today. Does it look alright? Or should we be worried?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Paula Simons

Answered By Dr. Paula Simons

Veterinarian

Published on August 10th, 2021

The area certainly looks less inflamed. As long as there is not discharge, heat, worsening of swelling, or pain I would not be overly concerned. I would keep her cone on until the inflammation is resolved. You do not need to clean the area overly as this can cause more irritation to the skin. The incision itself looks healed but has areas of irritation. This should resolve, if not I would be worried about a suture reaction or incisional infection and then she should certainly see a veterinarian.
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