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My dog's spay incision is leaking a smelly liquid. Is it infected?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Bichon Frise | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 11 months old | 15.43 lbs

I spayed my 8 year old dog friday, everything was ok until sundat overnight when she start dripping. I took her to the vet and gave her antibiotics. She is still dripping but less a sticky smelly liquid. The skin looks also a bit like its not "glued" togheter anymore(should i be worried)is the antibiotics gonna be enough? Should I clean the area? As its dripping on her leg she is licking it. She has collar but can reach the leg which makes her bend and not sure if is ok for the incision. Thanks

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Linda G, MS, DVM

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 12th, 2017

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. While the antibiotics should prevent a real nasty infection from progressing, I would also recommend gently cleaning the area with dilute betadine and warm water. Add a couple of tablespoons of the betadine into 1/2 cup of warm water, & clean off any serum that has accumulated around the incision. Do not scrub the incision. Dry the area, & you can wrap her abdomen using an absorbant pad & either vetwrap or coban. Most general pharmacies will have all this. You can also place an infant t-shirt on her, tying up the bottom to cinch her just in front of the hindlegs. Keep the cone on, & clean the wound several times a day. If it is not healing or the discharge increases or changes in any way, see your vet immediately. Good luck with her, she should be fine in 7-10 days.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Fifi. Just by looking at the pictures, I would say she needs to be seen right away by the veterinarian who did the surgery or by someone else if that is not possible. The incision definitely looks infected and needs to be more intensively treated. It needs to be topically cleaned well and then a plan can be developed. More antibiotics are probably in order, possibly a few skin staples along the incision, some anti inflammatories or pain meds, etc. Good luck with Fifi

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 12th, 2017

    I'm assuming the vet didn't see any damage to deeper tissues (muscle and abdomen) or an abscess, so that's why she felt it was OK to treat at home on antibiotics.

    There appears to be one stitch that has opened, but the rest are in-place.

    Flushing with just clean normal water is the best thing you can do. There has been numerous studies that show antiseptics (like iodine) and antibiotic creams are not very effective and may actually delay wound healing. Irrigating with saline or normal water has demonstrated to be the most effective at preventing and eliminating infection. Make sure that you are applying good pressure when irrigating and the water goes into the wound. Irrigating only the outside of the wound will not be very effective.

    I hope that helps and this clears-up soon.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My dog's spay incision is leaking on and off. Should I see a vet?
Hi and thanks for getting in touch with us! The incision seems relatively healthy, with a small amount of dry discharge. Antibiotics will prevent any infection. She should be checked only if the discharge is increasing and she seems uncomfortable and lethargic. She should be absolutely kept indoors and rested as much as possible. A cone/buster collar should be kept on at all times.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog's spay incision has dry yellow discharge. Is this normal?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is probably ok for now though it does indicate that there was some discharge and potentially an infection. I would recommend that you keep a very close eye on the incision site. If you notice any active discharge (moist instead of dry), bleeding or pain, have her evaluated as soon as possible to make sure it is not an active infection. Keep the area clean for now. If no more discharge is noted, it is possible that it will heal completely on its own. Good luck and have a nice day!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog's spay incision is bleeding 3 days after, should I worry?
The site itself looks good. No swelling, redness or bruising and it appears closed. The slight discharge does not appear to be frank blood. It looks like it may be fluid from a seroma. Seromas can occur after surgery. Continue to monitor the site, If the discharge increases or has a bad odor then see your veterinarian. Monitor Delilah for lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. These are symptoms that should also be addressed by your vet. Keep an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking or chewing of the site. You can use a diluted betadine or Hibiclens solution around the site to keep the area clean.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog licked her spay wound. It's swollen and open. What should I do?
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You should clean the wound with cotton buds and warm, boiled water 2-3 times a day until you see your vet. Putting a cone back on is an excellent idea too. Your vet will likely prescribe Apollyon an antibiotic cream and maybe will put a stitch or two to close the small opening in the wound.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My cat's spay incision looks infected. What can I do at home?
Hello. It does look like the incision is opening a bit, but just the skin. The underlying muscle looks intact. You may have to put an E-collar ( cone of shame ) on her to prevent her from licking the incision open more. Most of the big pet retailers have them & one of the soft ones made for kitties should not be too stressful for her. I would also pick up some betadine at any pharmacy & gently clean the skin twice daily. No need to scrub. It is not necessary, but it would not hurt to put a dab on Neosporin on the incision, but only if she is wearing the collar. You do not want her to try cleaning the incision with her rough tongue. If the incision reddens much more, or begins to discharge at all, you will need to have her seen over the weekend. She will not fall apart on you, but keep a good eye on things & if it really worries you, have her seen quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Medications
My dog's spay incision is swollen and weeping. Why no antibiotics?
I cannot speak for your vet but Spays are sterile procedures. This means it is done in a sterile bacteria free area. Sometimes patients can have suture reactions or inflammation around the surgery site secondary to movement. Also sometimes mild discharge if clear in color is not actually a bacterial infection. The clear discharge can be just secondary to the inflammation and reaction. However at anytime if you see green/yellow discharge, heat around the incision, increase in patients temperature or the incision separating I would recommend taking Lexi back to the vet for possible antibiotics and a close exam of the incision. I hope that helps and Lexi makes a speedy recovery.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My puppy's spay incision is oozing clear fluid. Is this normal?
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Charly. This clear fluid may be normal, and from your description, it doesn't sound like it's infected. Due to that, I cannot recommend giving her any antibiotics, and I never recommend starting them on your own without seeing your vet. Do not put anything on the incision, just leave it be. If you are concerned, then have her seen by a vet. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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