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My dog licked his neuter incision after getting wet. Is it infected?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shorthaired Pointer | Male | 23 lbs

Our dog was neutered on Tuesday. Today is day 5 post surgery. Our dog was left unattended for about 3 hours and he managed to get his e-collar off and has been licking it for hours. It is reddened and possibly a tad bit bleeding. It also didn’t help that earlier today he fell in the water on accident and I am afraid it dissolved his sutures. Are you concerned about infection or the site opened or it is just irritated from the licking? I rinsed the site with normal saline. Please advise.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 24th, 2020

It is just red from him licking it. It looks fine. Just be sure to get the cone on him so that he cannot remove it. Typically lacing it through the collar and putting the collar on tight enough that you can only get two fingers between it and the neck will prevent them from removing it. I suggest you get this wound spray gel to put on it until healed. This should keep it from getting infected. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-antimicrobial-wound-and-skin-hydrogel-for-pets I would not be worry about him getting it wet, that will not dissolve the sutures.

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18Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on May 31st, 2019

    It looks a little inflamed but not infected. I would call your vet and express your concerns, they may want to have a look at it to make sure everything is okay as a follow up to the surgery. Make sure he isn't able to lick or chew at the site as he could open his incision before it is finished healing. If he has to wear an Elizabethan collar, that's what needs to happen so he doesn't injure himself.

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on September 29th, 2017

    I can only see a little redness in the area of the neuter incision. I would continue to keep an eye on it for increased size, increased redness, warmth, discharge, etc. Keep Coach confined so he isn't moving around excessively, and if you see licking (even if it is only once!) he should wear an e-collar for ~5 days to allow for complete healing.

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    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 31st, 2017

    Surgery site is inflamed (probably more than normal) but does not look like clearly infected. The skin on the scrotum looks moderately inflamed as well. I would recommend a check up anyway to change collar (you can have some soft ones instead) and confirm this clinical suspicion. Please feel free to take another picture (a closer one) and post it on the forum.

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