My pet's incision is opening. Is it infected? Does it need vet care?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Is this going to heal? It's opening more and more. Does this need glueing/stapling/stitching. We're 7 days post op. The only part that scabs over is the top and as soon as she stands up again the whole thing is open. Does this need seeing by the vet as it's getting worse?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 13th, 2019
It’s hard to know without being able to feel and touch the incision in person but I think it looks infected. I can see the underlying layer of suture but the deeper layer looks intact. I probably would not stitch this up if there was infection and the underlying layer is still holding together, but if the incision is truly infected it won’t heal without antibiotics. An e-collar would be very important as well since any licking could cause further damage. If things seem to be getting worse I would definitely recommend seeing your vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 27th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can try to cover it if going outside by putting a t-shirt on to avoid it getting dirty. Also, try to keep it as clean as possible and do not let Biscuit lick at it as that is going to make it worse. You could achieve that by putting an e-collar on. Good luck and have a good night!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My other dog just got netured and he slipped out of his cone and lick himself. He had his surgery on 4/23. Well he just opened it up and I’m afraid of it getting infected and his vet is closed and won’t be open till Monday. I’ve read that they’ll giv
I would not worry about this incision. If the opening is no bigger than what I see on the photo, it will likely just crust over and heal by itself. There is no infection visible (not red, no pus) so antibiotics are not needed. You will need to tighten the cone a bit more, so he cannot take it off again. You may also put a t-shirt on him so he cannot reach his incision. He must not lick it. If the incision still looks like this on Monday, ie, not worse, then you do not need to take him to the vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Today is one week after Gracie’s spaying and her incision seems to be infected and not healing as it should be, what should we do to care for this until we can get her to the vet?
Hello. It does look like the incision is opening a bit, but just the skin. The underlying muscle looks intact. You may have to put an E-collar ( cone of shame ) on her to prevent her from licking the incision open more. Most of the big pet retailers have them & one of the soft ones made for kitties should not be too stressful for her. I would also pick up some betadine at any pharmacy & gently clean the skin twice daily. No need to scrub. It is not necessary, but it would not hurt to put a dab on Neosporin on the incision, but only if she is wearing the collar. You do not want her to try cleaning the incision with her rough tongue. If the incision reddens much more, or begins to discharge at all, you will need to have her seen over the weekend. She will not fall apart on you, but keep a good eye on things & if it really worries you, have her seen quickly. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had a surgery last Saturday. I have bandaged his feets to prevent scratching and put on ecollar regularly but his stitches came out and he did stichting again for the third time. Before when the stitches got open,i could see his intestines but
That looks infected which is why the stitches are coming out. He needs to be taking oral antibiotics. You need to keep the area clean. It will heal without the stitches holding as long as it is just the skin that is open and not the underlying tissue. So, call your vet and get them to dispense you some oral antibiotics.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pet did not like the e collar and he licks himself but it doesn’t seem like he has an infection, it’s a bit red but I think his sutures opened should I take him for a check up?
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! From the photo, it looks like Milo has sutures under the skin, which you cannot see. There does seem to be a mild amount of swelling and redness of the incision, and a very slightly opened area. Swelling and redness, especially if accompanied by discharge, are signs of infection. Milo should definitely be wearing his E-collar at all times. Licking and chewing can cause the sutures to loosen and the incision to open. You can apply a warm compress the the area several times a day to reduce swelling and promote healing. If you notice that incision opens more, there is any bleeding or discharge, or the area feels hot to the touch, Milo should be seen by his vet as soon as possible. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, recently BoGi had a little surgery after she came home with a big cut on her paw, close to her hips. I took her to the veterinarian and they closed the wound with three stitches. But today I noticed that she can lick that part even using the c
This is not good. Had your dog not been licking the wound, she would not have needed an antibiotic , as your vet worked very cleanly. However, now that she can lick the wound she is licking bacteria into it. This does indeed look infected now, You can clean it up a bit with warm water and put some neosporine on it until you can take her back to the vet for a recheck and some medications. If possible cover the wound with a sock or t-shirt or similar, so she cannot lick it or get a larger cone at a petshop.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I was just wanting to no if this wound looks like its healing OK it will be a week 2 Moro from her spay operation. She has had a e color on the whole time. She has appointment on Thursday for a check up. Thank you.
No, this looks more open than it should a week out from surgery. With the crusty discharge next to the opening, I'd be a bit concerned about an infection of the incision. Your vet will likely want to take a swab of the drainage, and depending on what they see they may want to put her on an antibiotic.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm concerned my puppy's spaying incision is splitting open. Is this just from the scab falling off or is this a concern? She was spayed last Thursday June 29th
It looks like the skin has healed but a small piece of suture is causing a small infection. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian for antibiotics. Continue to restrict her activity and keep an e-collar on to prevent licking.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. My dog was neutered 5 days ago but it doesn't look to be healing as well as it should after 5 days. One part of the incision looks to not be closing and is red and moist but not weeping
Hi there. It looks like a small part of the skin incision may be open a bit, but I don’t see any swelling or drainage, which are the most common signs of infection. This will probably heal over just fine - but to be safe, I would recommend having your regular veterinarian take a quick look. He/she may want to prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the open area of incision from becoming infected as it heals.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my dog got spayed on January 3rd. Her incision got infected and had excess fluids coming from the center of the incision. We put her on antibiotics last Friday (1/13) and she just finished them today. Does her incision look healed enough to re
Unfortunately, no. The skin edges are separated instead of healed together, especially in the middle. There may be granulation tissue underneath but it is possible that once the sutures are removed, the skin edges will separate even further. There appears to be inflammation where the suture enters/exits the skin, which is possibly due to a suture reaction. A suture reaction to the layer of suture holding the abdominal wall together may be part of the reason the incision didn’t heal well. I recommend bringing your dog back to your vet for an evaluation. It is possible that debriding the skin edges and resuturing under anesthesia with perhaps nylon (or another less reactive suture) may be required to get the skin edges to heal properly. An up close examination would be warranted to tell for sure. Best wishes -
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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