My dog's TPLO incision: yellow discharge & sunken staples. Emergency?

It appears that this part of the incision did pop open. I would recommend that you have it checked by an emergency vet. It may be able to heal without getting new stitches, but I cannot make that call just by looking at a picture - it should be done by someone that can evaluate the whole body. Make sure that he is not licking - not even once - since that will spread bacteria, decrease healing, and loosen up other stitches.

As long as Letty is behaving normally, is not feverish and has no discomfort or discharge from the site then she can probably wait until morning. Keep an e-collar(cone) on her to prevent licking orbchewibg of the site. Monitor for lethargy, discomfort, fever, bleeding or discharge. These are symptoms that should be addressed by a veterinarian.

It looks like the wound is separating a bit, and perhaps one of the staples has pulled through the skin, but it is difficult to tell from a photo. There appears to be a little bit of redness/discharge which can sometimes indicate infection. I don't think this is an emergency but I would recommend having your vet examine the incision when they are next open. If your dog is licking at the area then placing an e-collar on him to stop this, or if you do not have one trying to put a long sleeved shirt on him so that he cannot lick at the area and further cause damage until your vet can see him. Best of luck to you!

This does look very moist and like an infection is starting. If your veterinarian sent home any pain medication, make sure to continue using it as directed. If you didn’t get any, make sure to get some tomorrow morning along with some antibiotics. You can use hydrogen peroxide or warm soapy water to gently dab on the area and then gently pat it dry. Apply some topical antibiotic ointment or cream such as Neodporin or Neosporin Plus which has topical lidocaine. Make sure the cone stays on as he will want to lick or bite at this. Try to get in to your vet first thing in the morning for a recheck.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Benny and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. I think the incision looks fine, no need to rush him into the vet on Monday. It's fine to wait until Wednesday. I hope this helps!

Scab formation as surgical incisions heal is quite normal. As for the yellowish tissue that you are seeing from the middle of the incision, this could be fibrin-rich tissue as a part of normal healing, or could be purulent (pus-like) discharge associated with infection. If an incisional infection is present, I would also expect Ellie's incision to be red and/or inflamed. If you do see signs that could be consistent with infection, try to find a vet to take Ellie to this weekend since antibiotics may be necessary. If there is no redness or inflammation, and Ellie is otherwise eating, drinking, and acting normally, you can continue to monitor this incision closely at home through the weekend. If you are not already doing so, be sure to keep an e-collar (cone) on Ellie at all times until her sutures are removed so that she cannot lick the incision, introducing infection or even inadvertently removing her sutures. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Hello. Thanks for the picture. Things look pretty good. It is a little irritated at the top, but the majority of the incision looks perfect. I would just clean away any discharge with a little warm water & not fuss too much with things. Once the staples are out, everything will calm down & heal well. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.