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How to tell if my puppy's spay incision is infected or inflamed?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 7 months and 2 days old | 11 lbs

I had my 6 month old puppy spayed exactly a week ago. I have a feeling that her incision is either infected or inflamed. I am scared that her suture might be visible. please help

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2017

If you have any doubt you should take her back to your vet and have it checked, maybe she needs an antibiotic course, it's not uncommon. you can also take a picture and re-post the question with the uploaded picture, maybe we can tell you if there is anything to worry about or not.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Without seeing a picture of Felfeli's incision, I can't say if her incision is infected or inflamed, or if there is a suture visible. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, and pus. Should you see any of these signs, then I would have Felfeli seen by a vet. To know for sure if it is infected, I would have her seen by a vet in the morning for an exam.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on May 4th, 2017
Poor Felfeli! I can see a fair amount of redness and inflammation from these photos. It is difficult to determine by the photos alone if her incision has become infected or if her skin is having a reaction to the suture material. Either way, Felfeli needs to be examined by a vet immediately and will likely need a course of antibiotics. Make sure that she is wearing an e-collar (cone) at all times to prevent her from licking the incision at all, as this can introduce infection, open the incision and delay healing. I hope that she's feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's spay incision looks red and swollen. Is it infected?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Panda's spay incision does appear to be red and a little swollen. Swelling at a spay site can be due to a variety of reasons, including infection, inflammation from a reaction to the suture material, or over-activity after her procedure, among others. I would recommend Panda be seen by her regular veterinarian to have the swelling evaluated, and start any medications (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory) that she may need. In the meantime, I would recommend icing the area as well. Good luck!

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Dog spay incision discharge and pain: Is it infected or normal?

Hi there! No picture came through with your question. If you re-submit with an in-focus picture of her incision, I will be more than happy to take a look. If the discharge is a translucent red color and in small amounts, it could be a normal part of the healing process. If the discharge is thick, green/yellow, or milky, that may indicate an infection that would require a course of oral antibiotics to treat. In the mean time, please do not put anything on the incision. Creams and ointments will trap bacteria underneath them and it is better to leave the area open to the air. If she is licking or bothering the incision, please restrain her from doing so by using a cone collar, inflatable tube collar, or shirt. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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First-time owner: Is my dog's spay incision normal or infected?

It looks a little inflamed but nothing abnormal. Keep an eye on it, making sure it stays clean and dry, don't let your dog lick it and keep her quiet and don't let her run or jump up and down off furniture for about another week. As long s she is still behaving normally and eating, drinking and eliminating as she should, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

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Is my dog's spay incision infected 6 days later? She's so hyper!

It does look like there could be some irritation and possibly infection here based on the discharge I am seeing. There appears to be mild inflammation of the area. I would recommend putting an e-collar (the cone shaped collar) on Piper and calling her vet in the morning. The vet may need to prescribe antibiotics, give you an e-collar if you don't already have one, and may be able to prescribe a sedative if you are having trouble keeping Piper calm. In the meantime, confine her to a small room or kennel if you have one available. Best of luck to you and Piper!

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

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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My dog's spay incision looks open 6 days later. What should I do?

Thank you for providing a picture of Honey's incision, it's very helpful. Yes, I agree it does appear to have opened up, and I'm worried it could get infected since it has opened. She needs to see a vet asap to get this closed, and the vet may likely close it with surgical glue after examining it and cleaning it. The vet may also prescribe antibiotics. Please take her into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!

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My dog's spay stitches broke, incision infected & swollen. What now?

You need to take your dog back to the vet in the morning and he will have to close the incision again. If you do not trust your vet, you should take Tofy to another reputable veterinarian to do this. Infection happens frequently in wounds in India, due to the climate and flies. So this unfortunately is not unusual. Once the vet has closed the wound again, you will need to cover it up with a t shirt or a light bandage to keep flies from getting to the wound. Tofy must not lick the wound.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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