Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog's neuter stitches have a red spot. Is it normal or call vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 6 months and 9 days old | 20 lbs

Hello, my dog is about 6 months old and he was just neutered on Tuesday. He has been wearing the cone during all times in which he is not under my direct supervision. However, I noticed a red spot near his stiches after the surgery and it seems to be becoming more apparent. Is this normal? Or do I need to take him to the vet. Thank you

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on August 24th, 2017

The red discoloured area seems to only be a bruise in the skin. I would not be very concerned and it should go away on its own. Just like with bruises on our skin, though they are healing they can sometimes appear larger or darker first. Issues to watch out for which would indicate a problem and a need to return to the veterinarian; Swelling Redness which is getting much larger or darker very quickly Redness at the incision site Discharge Bleeding Foul order Pain behaviours - hiding, lack of interest in food Fever Vomiting or dirrhoea

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 28th, 2019

    Yes, this is absolutely normal. The wound looks very good for being just done 2 days ago. Continue to make sure that he does not lick the area, as times go by the wound dries up and itchiness increases and he could still cause some trauma to it. Hope all continues to go well, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach !

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 9th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would remove the visible suture or have your Vet do it. The bumps are a suture reaction to the stitches under the skin. I recommend warm compressing the area twice daily. The suture takes several months to resolve. If the bumps start to ooze yellow discharge he should be seen for antibiotics. I wish you and Bailey the best!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our dog was neutered last Tuesday, now it’s Sunday. Two days ago we noticed a small red patch (kind of looks like a rash) appearing on the side of his surgical site. Is it something to be worried about? His surgical area looks fine though.
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Duplo. If he is eating, drinking and otherwise acting normal, I would contact his veterinarian tomorrow. You may be able to take Duplo in real quick to have the surgical site checked. He appears to have developed a bruise. If he has red areas elsewhere on his body, not related to the neuter site, then I would have him checked out today. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m worried about the black spot in the middle of my dogs incision. Should this be of concern? he was neutered monday
That appears to be a small scab and likely no cause for concern. The post op swelling is minimal and the bruising should be decreasing as well. Keep the e-collar (cone) on him and monitor for redness, swelling, bleeding or lethargy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a rash that seems to have developed from his e-collar next to his neuter incision. Should this be of concern?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. The red area next to his incision looks like some bruising that likely occurred due to trauma/pinching of the area during surgery. Bruising can worsen during the first 2-3 days following a procedure, but should start to improve after that time. The dried blood/crusting around his incision is not abnormal either. If Charlie Brown will tolerate it, you can gently wipe the crusting away using a damp wash cloth once daily, but not any more frequent than this. I definitely recommend keeping Charlie Brown's Elizabethan collar on AT ALL TIMES until his sutures are removed by your veterinarian to prevent him from licking at the area and causing trauma/increasing the risk of an incisional infection. If the bruising worsens after day 3-4 post-op, and/or you notice yellow/thick, foul-smelling discharge, and/or if any of the sutures seem to have fallen out, I recommend having Charlie Brown seen by your veterinarian right away. Otherwise, I rec
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was nuetered a week ago and it seems like he's got blood under his skin. I can't tell if it's normal bruising or a problem
Poor Victor! The bruising around his incision site is a bit more prominent than usual, but it does not appear to be a cause for immediate concern. The incision appears to be healing in the middle, but still looks a bit more open than expected at both the very top and bottom. Be sure to keep an e-collar (cone) on Victor at all times until his incision has fully healed (typically 10-14 days after surgery). However, if you are noticing any discharge from the incision, redness, swelling, or worsening of the bruising, I do recommend taking Victor to his vet for a follow up evaluation. I hope that all goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We took our chihuahua mix to get neutered on the 24th and its starting to look red. Is it something to be worried about?
In the pictures it appears like the neuter incision is completely healed and Piglet just has a small bruise or irrigation around the prepuce. This could be related to the neuter but also might be related to allergies or another issue. I would continue to monitor the redness and if it continues or gets worse take Piglet back to the vet for an exam. You can try an over the counter anti histamine incase it is just allergies. Hope that helps! thanks for using pet coach
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog got done a week ago should it look like this
It's difficult to tell from just a picture. The skin is definitely discolored, but this could be from the surgical prep (iodine), or from dried blood. If the skin is not stained, then this would be abnormal and would indicate bruising or an infection. You can test for stained skin by gently wiping the skin with a little hydrogen peroxide. Avoid wiping the incision (the middle) and just wipe the edges. If it's staining, then the redness will start to be lifted with just a couple of wipes. If the wiping is unsuccessful at removing the discoloration, then it's likely bruising or infection and I'd recommend he get checked by the vet in the next 24 hours. I hope that helps and all is well with your dog.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 1 yr old chihuahua Bowie just got neutered yesterday, I'm not sure if it's bruised or infected....
That looks like bruising but I would keep a close eye on it. Follow the post operative instructions you were given; no running or jumping for 10-14 days, don't let him lick it, outside only to go potty on a leash then back inside, keep him confined to a crate if you need to to keep him quiet. If it starts oozing serum, pus, if it swells, gets red and/or hot, if he starts acting sick, get him back in to see your vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was just neutered on 2-20-18 and today is 2-23-18. He accidentally scraped the incision on the side of our deck on the 21st and I’ve been worried ever since. I know some redness and swelling is normal, but it’s just not looking right and I was
Although there is some bruising around the area this is quite normal and the wound looks to be clean, sealed and dry at this stage. Continue to monitor for any gaping or discharge from the wound but this is quite unlikely at this stage
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi there. My dog was neutered about a month and a half ago and his empty scrotum (not sure what it is now called) is red. Do you know what this could be ? I have attached a photo and he does seem to be trying to lick it.
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem if the redness does not improve in the next 4 days.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My one year old lab was just neutered yesterday. His area looks red and swollen is this normal or infected?
Hello. The scrotal area is bruised, but there is no indication of infection. Make sure Hank is not licking at the incision. If he is not already wearing a cone or something to keep him from reaching the area, I would put one on & leave it on when you are not with him. He may not like it, but it will allow the incision to heal much faster. Thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored