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Why is my spayed dog licking & bleeding after surgery? Is it urgent?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Female | spayed | 11 years and 5 months old | 65 lbs

My dog was spayed 2.5 weeks ago. When the cone came off after 2 weeks of recovery she started licking herself nonstop - paws, vagina, and tail, not the incision. She's been a bit lethargic the last few days and last night an odorless bloody discharge started coming from her vagina. No other behavior changes. What could be causing this and how urgent is it?

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 13th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Duchess. Poor girl. Licking her vaginal area is a sign that something is wrong, as it the discharge. Two weeks after the surgery, there should not be a discharge and I'm concerned about an infection, either from the vagina or a UTI. This is urgent, especially because she is also lethargic. I would take her into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!

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