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My dog's wound closed up. How can I safely reopen it to drain fluid?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 82 lbs

I took my dog to the vet for a lump filled with fluid on my dog's left side. The vet recommended that I keep the wound (inserted by vet) open to keep squeezing fluid out but the hole he punctured closed up. How can I reopen it safely?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 16th, 2017

If it still feels like there is fluid under the skin you can try applying a warm compress over the wound for 10 minutes. You can repeat this every few hours, and it may allow the would to reopen. If there was no more fluid or drainage at the time it closed, he may no longer need the opening. If he does, your vet may need to insert what we call a "drain" into the wound.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Keep the area clean using mild soapy water and you can gently scrub with a clean wash cloth. Dawn dish soap works well. You can soften & wipe away crusty discharge or a small scab this way. Once the body is ready to close up the draining hole, you won't be able to keep it open - the main this to keep it clean and draining as long as you can before it closes up again. Hope this helps!
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH
Veterinarian
Published on October 1st, 2018
Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Ideally a laceration should be closed with suture material by a veterinarian. If the laceration is deep enough or creates a large enough pocket underneath the skin, a drain may need to be surgically placed in order for excess fluid to drain out rather then keep accumulating underneath the skin. The wound does look deep, but is hard to accurately access without examining it in person. If going to a veterinarian is absolutely not an option in any way, there is not a lot you can do other than try and keep the area clean and dry. Using sterile saline to flush the wound out several times a day can help. Keeping a bandage on the area can help keep material out of the wound. The real risk here is infection which is high if Diesel is not on any antibiotics. Topical antibiotics are probably not going to be enough to prevent infection. Diesel may need to be on an oral antibiotic as well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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