Infected spay incision?

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for sending me the photos of your dog's spay incision. These really help me to give you an answer.

Here is the before photo:



And here is the after photo:



This does look like something that you should have the vet look at. It is definitely not normal for the incision to look puffy and swollen like this 12 days after surgery.

My first guess is that there is some suture material that is poking through and causing a local reaction. If that's the case then the vet can probably remove the material quite easily and everything should clear up within a few days.

It is possible that this is a mild infection though. Normally an infection will be itchy and painful for a dog but I have seen some dogs who don't seem to pay attention to an infected area. If this is an infection then antibiotics should be necessary.

If you are able to take Puppy Pooh back to the vet who did the surgery, in many cases they either won't charge to recheck, or may just charge for medications. It really shouldn't be an expensive visit.

I hope everything is ok!

Dr. Marie.

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