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My dog's spay incision isn't healing and smells. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 6 months old | 18 lbs

My bitch was neutered. But she managed to take out her stitch, had to stitch her up again. After two weeks her stitch was taken out but her area started cracking. Stitched her again, but now she's not healing. And its getting smelly. Will she survive?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 22nd, 2018

It sounds like Fluffy may have an infection in the incision area if it's starting to smell. That will require antibiotics to treat, and you need to have her seen by a vet asap to get those antibiotics. I certainly hope she will survive, and her best chance of survival is treatment with the vet. Best of luck.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My girl dog was spayed 6 days ago. She is in good spirits, eating/drinking normally, peeing/pooping normally, and isn’t bothered by the incision, but it looks like it opened a little. It feels dry to the touch. Should I be worried?
Thank you for providing a picture of Honey's incision, it's very helpful. Yes, I agree it does appear to have opened up, and I'm worried it could get infected since it has opened. She needs to see a vet asap to get this closed, and the vet may likely close it with surgical glue after examining it and cleaning it. The vet may also prescribe antibiotics. Please take her into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!
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I spayed my 8 year old dog friday, everything was ok until sundat overnight when she start dripping. I took her to the vet and gave her antibiotics. She is still dripping but less a sticky smelly liquid. The skin looks also a bit like its not "glued"
Hello, & thank you for using Boop by Petco. While the antibiotics should prevent a real nasty infection from progressing, I would also recommend gently cleaning the area with dilute betadine and warm water. Add a couple of tablespoons of the betadine into 1/2 cup of warm water, & clean off any serum that has accumulated around the incision. Do not scrub the incision. Dry the area, & you can wrap her abdomen using an absorbant pad & either vetwrap or coban. Most general pharmacies will have all this. You can also place an infant t-shirt on her, tying up the bottom to cinch her just in front of the hindlegs. Keep the cone on, & clean the wound several times a day. If it is not healing or the discharge increases or changes in any way, see your vet immediately. Good luck with her, she should be fine in 7-10 days.
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Hello! My pet was spayed this Tuesday (Oct. 30). It’s been about 5 days and I’m a bit worried about the incision and surgery site. It seems it is still quite tender (she hates when I touch it) and it is rather puffy. This is my first female dog, so I
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This looks like an infection at the incision site. This does warrant a visit to your veterinarian. They are likely going to clean it and start antibiotics. This usually responds well to therapy but does need to be treated. Good luck and have a good night!
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I had my 6 month old puppy spayed exactly a week ago. I have a feeling that her incision is either infected or inflamed. I am scared that her suture might be visible. please help
Poor Felfeli! I can see a fair amount of redness and inflammation from these photos. It is difficult to determine by the photos alone if her incision has become infected or if her skin is having a reaction to the suture material. Either way, Felfeli needs to be examined by a vet immediately and will likely need a course of antibiotics. Make sure that she is wearing an e-collar (cone) at all times to prevent her from licking the incision at all, as this can introduce infection, open the incision and delay healing. I hope that she's feeling better soon!
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Is my dog's neuter incision infected? If so, is it okay to wait until tomorrow to take him to the vet?
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. From your photo I can tell you that this looks seriously infected and does not look very good post-neuter. I would get him in as soon as you can for treatment before this affects healthy surrounding tissue. He will likely need to be sedated and have the dead tissue removed for treatment and placed on a course of oral antibiotics and pain medications to reduce inflammation. If he has been chewing at the area, he must wear a plastic cone at all times to prevent him from getting to the incision. I hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns you may have. I am also available via consultation if needed.
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This is my female cat castration at 1 week. Could you please tell me if there is something wrong. She doesn't seem painfull, but it looks bad..
Poor Molly. That incision does look infected and it has separated a little bit. I would take her into your vet as soon as possible to have the incision checked closer and get antibiotics started. Also, I would put an Elizabethan collar around her neck to prevent any licking. I hope she feels better soon
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My dog got spayed took her to.the era 3 weeks ago cause she had a infection finished all antibiotics now me and my husband just noticed this what dose it look like another infection?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Maya. Yes, her incision site appears irritated and may be infected. Is she licking the area? The self trauma can make it worse. I would place an E-collar on her just in case. Some dogs will have reactions to the type of suture used under the skin as well. She should see her veterinarian again. I hope this information helps!
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My dog was spayed two weeks ago. Her incision opened a small amount today. Her vet is closed today. Is she OK or do we need to go see someone today?
My concern is that the skin part of the incision should have been fully healed within 7-10 days. If it is opening up now at 2 weeks after surgery, there could be something wrong. It also looks like there has been some blood-tinged discharge, which shouldn’t be occurring at this time. I would recommend taking her to a vet today to have a better exam.
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IMG_9216.HEIC My dog had spay surgery 9 days ago. The incision looks opened
A photo of the incision would help greatly in assessing the problem. If the incision looks opened you need to 1) keep your dog from licking it as she will open it even more. Best put on an e-collar. 2) take her to a veterinarian to have it resutured.
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My Golden Labrador Retriver had benign tumours removed from his chest recently, but the area where he is healing has turned a moist grey and nasty smelling area. I’m scared for him and not sure as of what to do.. I can see inside of the wound where i
The wound probably got infected, this is not uncommon but it needs to be treated. you will need to take Scruffy to your vet today in order to get it checked, yor vet will clean the wound and prescribe a course of antibiotics.
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