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My dog's spay incision is red, lumpy, and leaking. Is it an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | 6 months and 19 days old

My Cavatzu was spayed few weeks ago. She had issues with stitches after a few days so they fixed them & used some kind of laser to help.They glued the outside shut.She was healing nicely but noticed yesterday a long lump along incision line under the skin.Today an area of incision looked red/purpleish.Now it opened alittle. It is leaking some clear/light pinkish fluid.I put skin closure strips & covered in gauze till our vet returns Monday morning. I just want to make sure this isnt an emergency

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 5th, 2016

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.

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 10th, 2017

    If she is eating and drinking and acting normal, you can wait to make an appointment at your regular vet. if you notice a discharge or the swelling gets worse, then she should be seen as an emergency. It may a suture reaction that has the tissue inflamed and forming a seroma. A warm compress will help also.

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