Notify me of follow-up comments by email. An hour after your cat comes home, you can give of your cats normal food portion. Secondary to that, dogs develop infections due to the following causes: Existing skin disease: Dogs that have an existing skin infection or chronic skin disease have unhealthy skin that is more likely to become infected or for infection to spread to a new surgical site. This dogs abdominal incision is very inflamed. This will save you the trouble of going back to the vet for removing the stitches. Although rare, it is still possible for your dog to have this after the spaying procedure. An easy way to tell if a dog is female is to look for a spay scar. The timeline photos and explanation about the lump were so very helpful and informative. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. The exact time of your dogs recovery period will depend on your dogs overall health and how the vet sealed the wound. . She heals much faster than my first spayed female, Little Sister. It is not uncommon for cats to hide after getting spayed, so try to block off as many hard-to-reach areas as possible so you can keep a close eye on her. However, some dogs may experience complications after their surgery due to the presence of stitches. Search from Surgical Incision stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. If this is the case, you may still need to put an Elizabethan collar on your dog for several weeks. Its also important to assist your dog and prevent them from licking the incision area. If this happens during the late stages of healing, you should get the attention of your veterinarian immediately. How To Care For Your Dogs Spaying Incision. Degenerative Myelopathy In Dogs: What Pet Owners Should Know. Also, make sure to observe your dogs activity levels. Dogs simply do not know that they should not lick their incisions, and thus are likely to chew and irritate the wound. A fever indicates inflammation in your pet's body and can be an indicator of infection in his . If done by a qualified professional, its a simple outpatient procedure that takes only a few minutes. As long as there is no redness or inflamed swelling, your cats body will do its thing. . This is a picture showing an infection after neutering surgery: Disclaimer: This content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Thank you!! Thank you so much for the detail. However, some dogs can develop excessive redness of the skin, reddish bumps, and blisters around the spay incision. If you notice that your pet is experiencing any of these post-operation symptoms, contact your vet immediately: These signs are not normal and should be a cause of concern for dog owners. , This type of stitch is preferred for more aggressive cats since it eliminates the need for suture removal, reducing the chances of an aggression-related injury at the recheck appointment. Keeping the incision site clean and dry will help minimize the risk of these serious problems. While we veterinarians are responsible for doing a good job in surgery, it is then left to the pet owner to ensure recovery is going smoothly. If your cats spay scar looks like one of these pictures below, you should consult your vet immediately. Diligent owners are monitoring their dogs incision closely to make sure an infection is not developing. A standard plastic cone is a good option for most cats, although many will not like wearing one. As your dog is still fatigued from the surgery, you will notice that she doesnt want to drink or eat as much as normal. You may also observe drainage from the area, including blood or purulent discharge. Here's how to inspect your dog's spay incision, and the signs of an infection after spaying a dog. Immediately following the procedure, note the length of the scar, the number of stitches, and the appearance of the skin. Your email address will not be published. It is always best to be overly cautious because incisional infections can become disastrous if left unattended. However, playtime should still be restricted. However, bathing your dog too soon could cause the wound to get infected. Dogs may not return to normal activity until the incision is healed and sutures are removed if applicable. Poor compliance in surgical aftercare is a huge reason why dogs develop incisional infections or other surgical complications. It is quite normal for your spay incisions to feel warm. The picture below is a picture of a dog with skin disease. Your veterinarian will discuss monitoring for infection. I made this website with the purpose of writing everything I know about cats in order to answer all of your cat questions. She may also open the incision by tearing or breaking the sutures if she plays hard or exercises too much. Since larger dogs mature slower, they are at higher risk for certain diseases if spayed too early. 6: Do not touch the incision: Touching the incision with your fingers can also introduce bacteria, so try to limit contact as much as possible. Seromas are usually filled with fluid that could be watery in texture and red in color. Personally, my cats personality never changed at all. However, running, jumping, climbing, and rough play should still be discouraged. However, if it is significantly warmer than the rest of your dogs body, it could indicate an infected incision. Keep them inside their crate in an isolated room with their toys and easy access to food and water. You should be able to find their belly button, there should be a swirl mark around the middle of their belly. Our content is written by experienced veterinarians & dog trainers, including: DISCLAIMER: Finding a safe and effective way to care for your dog should be done with your local veterinarian who can inspect your dog in-person and establish a full-health plan. But how do you know that your dogs incision wound looks normal? Another great cream for a healing cat spay incision is the Skin and Wound gel. Always consult with your vet for health decisions. It is necessary to monitor your cats incision for warning signs. In most cases, the lump forming after a cat spay is a harmless event. If your dog has a hernia, it will likely need surgery to correct the problem. As Amazon Associates, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Dogs that are too active after surgery can develop a seroma. This evening there was a light red watery drainage out of the blue while she was laying down. If your dog has an infection at the incision site, it could delay the healing process and it can cause further serious health implications for your pet. If your cat has external sutures, count them when she is discharged from the hospital so youll know if any are missing. The female will absolutely not wear her cone(we have two types), or the blow up collar we bought and will not stop jumping. You should take her to the veterinarian if you notice bumps or lumps with oozing puss at your female pup's incision site. Instead of kibble, you can try offering canned food or freshly boiled chicken meat to encourage her to eat.However, if your cat still refuses to eat the next day, you should call your vet for further instructions. Once the incision heals, you will be asked to return to the clinic for the removal of the sutures or staples. 6 steps you can take at home to help avoid incision infections, What do veterinarians do when an incision is infected, Why Do Dogs Lick Their Toys? After surgery, it is important to pay attention to your pets incision site, since there is the potential for infection. As mentioned in the previous section, your dogs skin sutures can be removed around this time. In the first 48 hours, the incision wound will still look swollen and bruised. It is not unusual for the incision to become slightly redder during the first few days, as healing begins to take place. You shouldnt notice any light red tenderness on or around the incision area, and it should be free of any discharge. Jumping and running around should be strictly avoided. Youre welcome, Autumn! What Does A Normal Dog Spay Incision Look Like? - Blind Dogs This may even be observed within 48 hours post-operation. Still, if infected or bothered, the sutures could open. During this time, pet parents should monitor the incision for signs of infection. This post-spay complication does not show up immediately after your dog's surgery. These are the most common signs of infection: A mild amount of swelling is normal after surgery, but if it becomes excessive or is progressive and not improving, an infection may be brewing. What Should a Spay Incision Look Like? Everything You Need to Know To learn more, you can check out my article on How Long to Keep Cone on Cat After Spay? As things heal, we may see small swelling, particularly at the site where the internal suture has been knotted. In the second picture, the incision is beginning to open up. Use the T-shirt yarn to tie ribbon knots around her back. What Should a Healing Spay Incision Look Like? You may see stitches or staples on a healthy incision site. Ask a Vet: Is Grain Free Food Bad for Dogs? If you currently own a dog that needs to be spayed, you should know what a dog spay incision looks like. After spaying, a thin layer of fur will start to grow within 1 to 2 weeks. As with any other infection, contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of an infected incision in your cat. Although this is common, it can still put your spayed pup at risk for infection. To make sure that the incision is healing properly, refer to this video about the day-to-day dog spay recovery process: Surgical incisions in most pets are completely healed after 14 days or two weeks. Luckily, there are various preventive measures you can take to keep your cats spay incision clean and infection-free. If you are sent home with medications for your cat, ensure she receives all doses as instructed. It is important that your cat takes it easy for a couple days following surgery. If you notice the redness with any other symptoms, such as swelling and discharge, its likely an infection that should be checked by your vet. Making your dog wear an E collar or a neck brace is a great barrier option. The location is about half inch above the incision. Blood Blisters in Dogs: Pictures & Veterinarian Advice. The key to a healing cat spay is that there shouldn't be any swelling or inflammation in or around the incision. They will be reluctant to drink and eat dog food and treats, but this should only last for 24 hours. As it happens, my Grace was spayed on the exact same day as your kitty and I can confirm that her incision looks nearly identical to your pic. What Should a Spay Incision Look Like? - All You Need to Know . Most spay incisions will heal properly in about 10-14 days. The incision is much less wrinkly and fragile-looking. As long as your cat shows: The lump will flatten and disappear after 1 to 2 weeks. When it opens up and bleeds, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Why is there a lump where my dog got spayed? - The Halo Pets How long does it take for an incision to heal on a dog? How Long Does It Take For A Spay Incision To Heal? Here are some pictures of what you cat spay incision should look like: Cat Spay Healing Photos. The incision appears to be breaking down: This is a picture of a spay incision site that has become infected. Sadly your dog can get a hernia after spay or neuter surgery. If at any point you suspect your dogs incision is abnormal or infected, you should contact your veterinarian right away. Day 7 Any remaining redness is dry and scab-like. The following photos are visual examples of improperly healing surgical sites after having your pet spayed or neutered. If after hours or on the weekend, it is usually best to follow up with the local emergency clinic for veterinary care. Though surgical-grade implants are very safe, they also create a nidus for bacteria. Depending on the antimicrobial selection, these are generally inexpensive, but large dogs or those requiring prolonged therapy may need hundreds of dollars of medication. Lets go through them now: Settle your cat in her cage. But, seromas can get infected. If your pup is particularly rowdy, you will need to control their movement to prevent the incision from opening. Both incisions are closed up and there is no inflammation or bumps around the wound. Why Does My Dog Lick Me When I Scratch Him? Are Healing and Care the Same for a Neutered Dog? The incision is much less wrinkly and fragile-looking. Cant Afford Dental Work for Your Dog? For minor infections, a course of oral antibiotics will likely do the trick. Your cats incision may feel slightly irritated as it heals, but it should never be painful. Running, jumping, and climbing can put significant strain on a healing incision, so confine your cat to a small, quiet room during the healing period (approximately two weeks). Skin that has a light red or pink hue near your cat's incision is normal early in the healing process. Incisions should be covered if your dog goes outside in the rain or snow. *. You can buy it here on Chewy. Nothing indicates a well-functioning cat like normal urine and stools. Im really glad you enjoyed the article. What Should a Healing Cat Spay Incision Look Like? (With Photos) She blogs about animals, small businesses, and social causes on her website. If your dog is crying, shaking, hiding, or unresponsive when you call their name, it could be a sign that they are in pain. How often should I be checking a dogs incision after surgery? . Thank you so much for your insight and experience. There is tan to green discharge and swelling around the middle of the incision. Its normal for your pet to feel irritated by the spay incision as it heals. Bravo! A Vet Explains, Senior Dog Panting A LOT: Our Vet Shares How to Help. If surgical glue was used to close the incision, you should keep the incision site dry since this adhesive will cast off on its own. Yes, the stitches used during spaying will dissolve over time. Your cat may have decreased appetite right after her surgery. Similar to human wounds, you can spot an infected spay incision when the following signs are observed: As the spay incision goes through its healing period, you may notice a lump near the incision site. What are some housing changes to be made? To reduce the risk of your dog opening her incision after her surgery, use an, One possible complication during the surgery is that your female dog reacts badly to the, After the spay surgery, your veterinarian may suggest, The animal may also show signs of post-surgery complications through vomiting, loose stool, panting excessively, or experiencing, 9 Human Foods Dogs Cant Eat and Why (Based on Studies), Cushings Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments, Swimmer Puppy Syndrome: How to Help Your Dog. Photos are extremely helpful, and your veterinarian may request you email pictures to their clinic for review. At first, the spay incision wound of your dog will look bright red, but it should gradually go down to a lighter pink, and then the reddish hue should disappear. Swelling is expected but is usually mild. Medony Properties LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to amazon.com This site also receives a small commission from all affiliate links and third-party advertising. The initial discharge is likely to be light pink. They may start a broad-spectrum medication until culture results return. After the surgery, your pup will feel extremely lethargic. They will perform a thorough examination of your dog and ensure they are not feeling unwell. , we are dedicated to the well-being of your caton and off the surgery table. . However, as a responsible owner, you should know the entire spay incision healing process before sterilizing your dog. If your pet is diagnosed with septicemia, she will require intensive care and hospitalization. Some incisions will need to be re-opened and left to heal by the formation of granulation tissue. 6 Tips to Help Your Dog's Surgical Wound Heal Faster After surgery, a dogs skin will heal in a normal wound-healing fashion. What Should a Healing Cat Spay Incision Look Like? Seromas are usually filled with fluid that could be watery in texture and red in color. It has been closed with staples that are becoming embedded due to the swelling of the skin: This dogs incision is very clearly infected. Im glad the info has helped you prepare for her future adult spay recovery. Youre welcome, Amir! However, if you own a large breed, you should consider getting them spayed between 16 and 18 months old. Plus, if your other cats are particularly playful, they wont understand your current cat is undergoing recovery from her spay. Your dog should also not feel any pain and may walk and move normally. If a puss emerges from the area, your dog might have an abscess. Once bacteria enter the wound, your pet becomes at risk of developing serious medical complications without prompt treatment. This article was updated on May 1st, 2023. This dog cone-like collar attaches to your dog's collar and will prevent your dog from licking or gnawing at the incision site, even if you cannot watch her every move. It might take some time for this complication to present itself. Although spaying is an abdominal procedure and is considered more complicated than neutering, the recovery period for both procedures is the same. Does it look infected? To book an appointment or to find out more about spay surgeries at our facility, contact us today. Hi, I am the Kitty Expert and have always had a fascination with everything cats. prevent urinary infections and breast tumors in your cats, improved behavior since your cat doesnt go into heat, which can cause your cat to pee everywhere, save money by not having to pay for your cat to care for a litter. See disclosure in sidebar. An infection could occur if your dog excessively cleans or chews at the incision site. Do not scrub the incision. What Are Your Options? Fortunately, this is not a common surgical complication. Its possible that the bathwater could irritate the wound further, causing more discomfort. 4. In this case, its best to rush your dog to the vet clinic. At first, the spay incision wound of your dog will look bright red, but it should gradually go down to a lighter pink, and then the reddish hue should disappear. Our pets will typically undergo a surgical procedure at some point during their lives. Spay incision healing properly? One week post-op. | Dog Forum In this article, we take a look at what a normal dog spay incision looks like, and what pet owners can do to prevent infections. This is why it is so important to follow post-operative instructions as closely as possible. It is important to note that surgery suits are not a replacement for a cone. Before swollen spay incisions in dogs become infected, pet owners must seek professional care. Owners should evaluate their pets incisions at least twice a day to ensure they are healing appropriately. It can be helpful to take daily photos of the incision line, comparing for any changes. However, some hernias result from organs slipping through the abdominal wall, such as the intestine or bladder. A seroma may lead to mild or moderate swelling and while not typically painful, could put your pet at risk for infection. It can be difficult to tell if your dogs spaying incision wound is healing, but there are some things that will help you determine how well the surgery went and whether or not your dog needs any additional care. If unable to lick or chew, they may rub it on the floor instead. If the wound begins to open or you can see the underlying tissue, an infection is likely to be present, as shown in the incision infection picture below. During this time she may experience some discomfort. Spaying your female dog is an important procedure that prevents the overpopulation of dogs and unwanted pregnancies. (when bacteria enter the bloodstream). Love the soft collars at pet stores! 2. You can get a free quote below. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our Fort Worth clinic has moved! Of course her lump started on Saturday when the vet is closed for the weekend! One possible complication during the surgery is that your female dog reacts badly to theanaesthesia. So dont worry, your cat will be the same feline you know even after her spay. Licking also causes trauma to the skin and can delay healing. However, more serious cases may require surgical debridement (removal of infected tissue) and reclosure. The first two cat spay incision pictures show the wound healing properly.