My dog's neuter site is swollen, red, and itchy. Is this normal?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My mother’s dog go neutered 8 days ago. While it’s still itchy, it is also swollen and red and causes him some grief. I want to know if this is normal or if I should get him to a vet.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 19th, 2019
Based on the photo, it does not appear to be infected or overly swollen. There is likely some discomfort from the incision healing (itchiness) and pain from the procedure. If you believe that the pain is not well controlled, I would reach out to your veterinarian to discuss additional pain medications. Continue to monitor for any signs of infection such as discharge, swelling and redness. I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 28th, 2017
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
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Had our fur baby neutered on thursday he seems to be in alot of pain. And think he now has a infection
The site does appear reddened and swollen. This could be post operative issues or signs of infection. Since he is painful, he should be rechecked by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. A vet can diagnose infection and treat the pain if indicated. Place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent licking if he doesn't already have one on. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible until you see the vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After a week, this is how my dog looks at his neuter. Is this normal? Are his testicles swollen? Is his wound closed? He keeps rubbing his cone on the wound to scratch it.
His incision looks a little red and there is still some swelling in his scrotum. I recommend to call your vet and have Sammy rechecked. The doctor may change his cone to a soft collar or may send you home with a cream to apply. If the doctor is concerned with infection, Sammy will get an antibiotic. The swelling in the scrotum will decrease with time and is not uncommon in a more mature male. Continue to have him wear the cone at all times and keep his activity significantly restricted. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just had my dog neutered but he seems to be having a lot of redness and swelling
Hello and thank you for contacting Boop by Petco. Swelling of scrotum is not uncommon after neutering. As long as the swelling is not painful to touch, is not bothering Sheldon and he is acting as normal, you can monitor him at home. However, if the scrotum becomes hot to touch, painful or your dog is lethargic, you should take him back to your vets for a course of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. Typically, this kind of swelling goes down a few days after castration.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was neutered a little over 1 week ago. The surgery went well and his stitches have been healing well. However, the scrotum has been very swollen. I took him back to the vet yesterday and they gave us some more anti-inflammatory syringes. After
Poor guy...that does look uncomfortable. It may be infected, but I would suspect a discharge at the incision or a fever, lethargy. It is more likely that this is a scrotal hematoma. These typically do resolve in their own, but it can take weeks. Keep his activity level as low as possible to discourage more swelling, continue the anti inflammatory medication, make sure he cannot bite or lick it by using a “cone” if needed. It can provide some relief if he will allow you to do a cold compress on the area. Try wrapping an ice pack with cloth and apply to the area for 15 minutes..three times daily. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was neutered today and I was wondering if redness is normal. There is no leakage but some swelling. He has the e collar but did lick the wound
Yes moderate amounts of redness are normal the same day and up to 3-4 days after the day of the surgery. No leakage is good and no smell are good signs that things are a-ok with the incision site. I would discourage licking of the incision site at all costs. I would recommend keeping the e-collar on at all time, if your pet has a difficult time eating with it on then you can temporarily remove it but then place it right back on to prevent re-opening of the incision site or infection due to excessive licking.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi! My 6 month old puppy had umbilical hernia surgery about 5 days ago during the same time he got neutered. I want to know what’s considered normal post op recovery? He was healing nicely until yesterday when I noticed it was swollen, however he did
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Theo. From your picture, it appears to be healing normally. That being said, pictures can be deceiving. I recommend taking him to your veterinarian for a quick peek. They will gently clean the incision site to ensure that it is healing normally and the tissue is healthy underneath the scab. In the meantime, do not allow him to lick the area. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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
Health & Wellbeing
Is this type of swelling normal 2.5 days after neutering? The vet saw him yesterday and said neosporian will help. I just applied neosporian about 20 minutes ago.
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Indy. The amount of swelling still appears within the realm of normal post-operative. Neosporin can be irritating to the skin of dogs. So if it looks worse, I would stop applying it. You must ensure that he is not licking the surgical site as this will make it worse. Limit his movements as much as possible as well. Increased activity will lead to additional swelling. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Teddy got fixed the day before yesterday, and he has been very high energy, and has been eating fine. His gums are pink and showing no signs of pain, but it looks like his stitches are inflamed or coming undone. We took him into the animal ER and the
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Teddy. I suspect that he has been too active and has some post-surgical swelling as a result. When an adult dog is neutered, there is a very high rate of swelling in the scrotum unless the dog is kept very quiet. If he is just too energetic, you may need to request a sedative from his veterinarian. The incision site has mild swelling, but appears to be healing. Be sure to keep him from licking. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My male golden doodle got neutered on Friday, September 15th. He just finished his pain meds yesterday and has been acting like himself and eating normally. He has had diarrhea and thrown up once since surgery, but out vet said his pain meds could ca
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. I think the incision looks fine. Just continue to monitor it by checking it daily definitely keep him from licking it. Licking is the the number one cause of incisional infection. Don't apply anything to the incision and don't remove the scabs. Just leave it to heal on its own. Things to be worried about: swelling, actual discharge (pus or blood-tinged fluid) coming from the incision, lots of redness around the incision or a portion of the incision is open. To me, this looks just fine right now. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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