My dog's surgery incision opened. Is it safe to leave it open and bleeding?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the pictures, it does appear that this is a sizable hole. Unfortunately, when dealing with cancer cells, anytime a cancerous mass is removed this is a possible complication. Flushing the area may help this heal faster or this may not heal well at all due to the cancerous nature of the area. I would say that if this is not looking like it is developing healthy tissue within a week of flushing and caring for the open wound, I would recommend having this closed with stitches again. I would have the veterinarian check the wound every 3 days to monitor it's progression. This area is hard to bandage and most likely a bandage would not stay in place in this area. I would leave this exposed to the air so it heals better. When she goes to sleep at night, I would put a shirt around her or a pair of boxer shorts to keep it protected. 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.

If the incision is still closed, I'd just keep an eye on it, checking it two to three times a days. Should the incision open, then I would worry and have him seen by a vet right away to get it closed again. I hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Using dissolvable or non-dissolvable sutures would not cause an incision to open. Other factors like movement and infection would. It sounds like Kane had a surgical complication that can happen with any surgery. I’m sorry he’s going through this but continue the treatment the doctor recommended and it should heal with time. Kisses to Kane!

it is hard to say if this can heal without putting another stitch in. If you cannot keep your dog still, then this will indeed need another stitch or staple to hold the wound edges together and especially not enlarge. It is also very important to keep an e-collar on her so she cannot lick the incision. Keeping her calm would be essential and you may have to crate her in order to achieve that.

Hello. I can assure you that there are internal sutures holding the incision closed, but I assume you are worried about the small opening visible at the base of the incision. Two things you can do, the first is to make sure Rhett can not get to the incision to lick or chew at it. He may need to wear a collar or cone of shame to protect the incision. Then you can put a dab of Neosporin on the raw area, but if Rhett is leaving the incision alone, this is probably not necessary. Everything looks good to me based on your pictures. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Given that she has evidence of wound dehiscence, she should be re-evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment. This wound is likely going to need to be addressed locally with wound cleaning, debridement and most likely by replacing those stitches that came out. At the same time, she is likely to need antibiotics as well. In the meantime, I recommend that you limit her activity as much as possible and use an e-collar to prevent further self-trauma. At the same time, they may be able to check her for the bloody stool which could be secondary to medications if she is on something like a pain killer or antibiotic after her surgery. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Hello. If the incision has opened a bit, but is not a gaping wound, then healing naturally, or by second intention, will be just fine. Otherwise, sedation may be needed to reclose the area. Your veterinarian has prescribed a good plan with what you have listed above, so try to curtail Wilma's activity as much as possible so that the incision does not open more. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.