My puppy's spay wound is draining clear after swimming. Vet needed?

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.

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.

The image shows no drips or tracks of blood. This may be some normal post op discharge. If she will allow, you can use a plain, unscented baby wipe to gently clean around the incision. Keep an e-collar (cone) on her and restrict her activity to just leash walks for elimination. Avoid or prevent running, jumping, stairs or rough play as much as possible. If she has a crate, consider crating her for the night. Monitor for active bleeding, discharge, lethargy or pale gums. If any of these develop, she should be seen by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER.

Thumps is certainly lucky to have an owner that is so attentive to her. It sounds like you are doing everything right. The most important things after surgery are to make sure that the area stays clean and dry. If the area does not feel wet, then Thumps may have just has a small amount of oozing around the stitches that has dried. If the incision appears red, swollen or painful, I would certainly have it examined. The only other idea I have for when you go back to work would be to put a T-shirt on Thumps to prevent her from scratching the stitches with her back legs if that becomes a problem. Otherwise, I think having her in the cone in a kennel should be perfect. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

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.

If the area is leaking a clear/light pinkish fluid, that makes me thing she has a seroma. A seroma is a collection of fluid, usually occurring at an incision site. This is not a medical emergency, so I would wait to take Lily into the vet until Monday. Keep her quiet and rested until then, no running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a lead only, and bring her right back in when done. I would keep an eye on the swelling, and if pus starts coming out, or it becomes red, swollen, or warm to the touch, then I would bring her into a vet right away.