My dog's pyometra post-surgery incision is swollen. Is it normal?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog had pyometra and had surgery 8 days ago...a part of the incision is swollen ...is that normal?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 24th, 2018
It would be good to see a picture of her incision to see if it's normal or not, but I can say that swelling can be a sign of infection. It would be best to have her checked out by a vet, as if her incision is swollen, she will need antibiotics. I would take her into a vet in the morning. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 17th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The incision itself looks quite swollen though if you make sure that she does not lick or chews at it, it may heal. However, I am concerned that based on your description, she may be painful or uncomfortable. I think for that reason, a recheck examination with your veterinarian is warranted. Good luck and have a great day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Does this incesion look normal? 2 1/2 days after open pyonmetra surgery. A tiny amount of discharge is coming out but just barely. Has been eating and drinking but has not pooped yet. She refuses to stand up for long and tries to lay down as fast as
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! The incision itself looks quite swollen though if you make sure that she does not lick or chews at it, it may heal. However, I am concerned that based on your description, she may be painful or uncomfortable. I think for that reason, a recheck examination with your veterinarian is warranted. Good luck and have a great day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Daria has her pyometra surgery on 10/22 and I noticed she’s been more sleepy and in pain today and her stomach is bulging out a bit more then usual. She has some discharge on her staples and I thought it was dirt but when I touched it she flinched. I
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Daria. If she is not acting normal, this is worrisome. She should not be getting more painful this many days out from surgery. It is worth having her rechecked by a veterinarian. In the meantime, keep the incision clean and dry. Do not allow her to lick it. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog got stiches about a week ago and his incision looks like it’s healing beautifully but it looks pretty swollen and It’s been swollen like this for a few days and I’m not sure how to go about dealing with it whether it needs to be drained or lef
This does look quite swollen and would be worthwhile having it rechecked and a small sample drawing to rule out infection and to determine if any additional treatment is required. It can occasionally require revision and restitching to close the pocket of swelling if persistent as the skin becomes stretched
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Ilsie had a nephrectomy on Thursday 11/15. Does the redness and swelling toward the bottom of the incision look normal? While there is some bruising around the incision, the surrounding skin does not appear to be red or infected. The red parts are
Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about IIsie. The top half of the incision looks like it's healing beautifully. You can see some redness and if the staples are tighter at the bottom of the incision, it could account for the swelling. I agree there are no signs of infection from the picture, so continue to monitor the incision for now. If the area gets redder, more swollen, and/or you see other signs of infection, then I would be concerned and have her seen by a vet. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
is this spay incision healing properly? or does it look infected? this is my first dog and im not sure what exactly to look for. the dr said a little redness is ok, but to me this looks swollen..please advise if I should take her to the vet. Thanks
It is normal to have some redness and a little bit of swelling, and from the picture, Skye's incision looks fine to me. It looks like the incision is healing well, and I would be concerned if the incision was really red and quite swollen. Continue to monitor it, and if the swelling and redness increases, then I would take her into the vet. You can take into the vet if you'd would like just to be sure, and it may give you peace of mind. I hope this helps :-)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is my dogs spayed incision infected?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Long story short we had our high strung shepherd spayed in early May. We had issues with the vet and with our dog being so active it was hard to keep her calm. The incision swelled a little we saw a new vet who got us on antibiotics and she's been fi
It looks like there could be some inflammation at the site of the incision. That could be due to her body breaking down the sutures, or she caused some sort of trauma to the area. If she is acting normal and you don't feel any swelling around that area I would wait and see if it improves. But if there is swelling, drainage, or pain I would worry about a dehiscence (opening of the incision) which would be an emergency and she should see a vet immediately.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was spayed on Thursday and her incision looks swollen and red. Is this normal?
Hello and welcome to Boop by Petco. The incision looks inflammed, but this could be part of the normal healing process. If there is any discharge, OR if the wound looked better than this previously and is now looking MORE red than say Friday or Saturday, I would take her back to the vet right away. If it is steadily looking better, and she is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally, then you can continue to monitor it. Best of luck with Lilo.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had surgery yesterday. She got a little excited when we got home today and jumped up on the couch and tried to run downstairs before I could inspect the incision site. Attached is a picture of her stretched out a bit and one of her laying norm
The incision appears closed in the pictures and the blood around the incision appears dried, so that is all good news. However, the incision is much redder and more swollen than I would expect it to be the day after surgery, so I would be concerned that she has been licking at the incision. If you don't have one, I would recommend getting an e-collar to prevent her from licking at the incision and keep her in a kennel to make sure that she cannot run and jump and risk opening the incision. If the incision starts to ooze or continues to be red and swollen, you may need to have your veterinarian examine it to make sure that it isn't infected. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Maggy heals quickly. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was neutered 3 weeks ago and developed a infection. Vet gave him antibiotics which he is still on but it looks worse. No pain am I overreacting. Been 7 days so far. Swelling moved to his inner thigh
This swelling is likely edema from the inflammation or infection, You should finish giving the antibiotics prescribed by your vet. If the swelling is still there when you have finished the course of antibiotics, you should take your dog back to the vet for a recheck. This actually does not look very bad, as it is neither red, nor painful nor looks abnormal other than the edema/swelling.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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