Im thankful for this article. Yes, modern-day spay procedures have sutures and stitches that will dissolve after about one week. Use a collar or cone to prevent disruption of the dog spay incision healing process. Firstly, the smell. There are tons of considerations to factor into your decision, which can be overwhelming at times. Dehiscence is a surgical complication where the edges of a wound no longer meet. Personally, my cats personality never changed at all. E-collars may only be removed when directly supervised with eyes on your dog at all times. Similarly, if the swelling just stays at angry red and doesnt fade, this is where you will want to get in touch with your vet to see if something is going on beneath the surface. In the meantime, ensure that your cat continues to get lots of rest. Youll want to keep a close eye on the incision as it heals. Appropriate times include during feedings or potty breaks, then the cone goes back on. Or theyre even rolling onto the back to air it out instinctively as it heats up and gets itchy and painful. So small that you have to examine the site very closely to pick it. Literally made me LOL! Here is a day-by-day timeline, showing Gracys incision healing. This dogs abdominal incision is very inflamed. During the healing phase, it is imperative that you do not allow your dog to lick or chew at the incision. They also had difficulty drinking and eating food, even if it was on our palms. This was the best info I came across. It possesses Coughing is our body's natural way of responding to the presence of any irritants or abnormalities existing in our airways. After some time, the repair cells dwindle and a scar is formed. She graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2019. *. Be vigilant for signs of heat, swelling, or discharge from the wound. Most people wash their dogs bedding a few times per year. 5 Health Benefits and 4 Risks, Review: ValueBull Dog Chews Collagen Sticks & Yak Chews, Giveaway: Walkee Paws Dog Boots ($65+ Value), Hydrocortisone Cream for Dogs: What Is It and How to Use It Safely, Maryland Pet Stores, Dog Parks, Grooming, And More, 5 Signs of Dog Anal Glands Problems (And What to Do), The Best Dehydrated Dog Food Brands (2022), Coughing, Gagging and Choking in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments, Pale Gums in Dogs: What It Means and What to Do, Ringworm in Dogs: Prevention and Treatment, Dog Sitting Tips: Beginners Guide For Pet Sitters. Either way, it is very important that you limit your pet's movements during the 7 to 10 day recovery period, as strenuous activity, such as running, jumping or playing, could disrupt the healing process and even cause the incision to become swollen or open. An easy way to tell if a dog is female is to look for a spay scar. Thank you! Bravo! Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. At this stage, your worries are pretty much over. Read more about us. This is an accumulation of fluid under the skin after surgery. Im really glad you enjoyed the article. If a spay incision is healing properly, you will see a straight line on your dogs shaved stomach with raised edges that are butted together (and sutured). Before we delve into what unhealthy incisions look like in dogs, lets explore what a normal incision should look like. 2 Look for signs of infection. There should also be no inflammation or bumps around the incision. Restrict your dog's activity for a period of 7-14 days, to allow the incision to begin healing. What Should My Dogs Spay Incision Look Like? Within the first 12 hours of your dog's surgical incision, it may be . There you go! The old saying, What goes in, must come out. Severe infections may need to be surgically addressed and cleaned. And it was, they did not inform me that they would be closing her incision with "glue", I would . Inspect her urine for blood (a tiny bit may be normal in the first 24 hours) and her stool for any abnormalities. Her swelling was in the top left spot of those pictures and another vet told me it could be a seroma. If the incision does become wet or dirty, lightly dab it clean with a moist, clean paper towel. Initially, the skin swells and reddens and may even show signs of bruising. Our mission is to be the trusted resource for dogs and owners.This website was developed by dog lovers, enthusiasts, and professionals to share knowledge and knowhow on dogs. My cat had surgery a week ago to remove a crypt . Although spay incisions can look a bit lumpy during healing, a single, prominent lump can also indicate infection. Customer. It is a dogs nature to want to lick or chew these areas. Your dog will need to keep from jumping after her spay for a certain amount of time for this reason! A permanent scar is then formed between 14 to 21 days. It is normal for incisions to "weep" some as it heals. I noticed this a few minutrs ago and want a few opinions before I stress her out with another 35 minute drive to the vet as shes a very anxious cat. This may be just temporary, or a sign of illness. I made this website with the purpose of writing everything I know about cats in order to answer all of your cat questions. The Healing Process If you notice that theyre restless or just uncomfortable when they were previously healing, okay, youll want to have a careful look at the incision to see whats going on. Your email address will not be published. This post-spay complication does not show up immediately after your dog's surgery. Slip your cat into the onesie. She will not need to return to the vet to have them removed. You do not want to allow your pet to become overly excited or exert themselves. The same applies to bruising. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. You should ask your veterinarian for a post-operation plan for your cat, but there are some general rules to follow, according to Lori Bierbrier, DVM and the senior . It is important to note that surgery suits are not a replacement for a cone. But, seromas can get infected. The timeline photos and explanation about the lump were so very helpful and informative. After the spay surgery, your veterinarian may suggestpain medicationand antibiotics. As long as it doesn't look like it's pulled open so you can see the fatty skin layers underneath or looks super red, it should be okay. The key to a healing cat spay is that there shouldn't be any swelling or inflammation in or around the incision. A healthy incision should not have a smell at all. Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescription Food? Thank you! Seromas are usually filled with fluid that could be watery in texture and red in color. As the incision heals, the wound should appear smaller with minimal swelling and redness. Youre welcome, Leona! Before swollen spay incisions in dogs become infected, pet owners must seek professional care. We want to be prepared so this article is really going to help us with this procedure. To help you provide the best recovery care for your cat, this article covers: So, youve made a vet appointment and sent your cat for her spay. A healing wound should be dry, with no seepage of fluid from the incision. Furthermore, studies have shown that you canincrease her life expectancyby spaying and decreasing her chance of future diseases, including breast cancer and uterine infections. Therefore, use the photos above as a reference only. Should Your Bulldog Be Spayed or Neutered? It is very inflamed and has discharge: Below is a photo of a severely infected neuter site. Nothing indicates a well-functioning cat like normal urine and stools. Keep your dog from licking or scratching for best results, and beware of livid bruising and blood, which can denote burst stitches. In most cases, the little ones recover a lot faster than adults. Incisions should be covered if your dog goes outside in the rain or snow. An accompanying foul smell is another clue that there is an underlying infection. Ignore advice that posits dog saliva is good for the wound, and dont let your dog lick it: it does not speed up healing and actually hinders it. The first two cat spay incision pictures show the wound healing properly. 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. Supplemental estrogen and herbal supplements are commonly used to help your dog's urinary health. 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? What is the typical post-operative care for a dog? Signs of an infected scar include bumps on or below the skin, or a reopening of the scar. After your cat is spayed, you should make sure that your cast rests for the next couple days. 4. Your dog's sphincter muscle is controlled in part by its estrogen hormone. And its a spot on description! Is it normal for my dogs spay incision to leak? The key to a healing cat spay is that there shouldn't be any swelling or inflammation in or around the incision. Your cats immune system will be weakened and she may be more susceptible to diseases. Spaying at a young age prevents mammary cancer and spaying at any age prevents unwanted kittens, noisy heat cycles, and possibly even urine marking in the house. I also removed toys for the time being, so she can only lounge and walk around. Occasionally, youll notice an increase in clear, pinkish discharge when this happens. Also, thank you for your kind words. Skin disease should always be treated first before elective surgery is performed, as these dogs are at increased risk of incisional infections. Her pupils may also be in a slightly dilated state. Here are some dog spay recovery pictures after surgery on a small dog. Some dogs will intentionally guard their stitches as they recover for the first few days, and others will deliberately lay on their backs to expose them as they struggle with discomfort. First time having your female cat spayed? However, there are tests that your veterinarian can do to ensure that she will not have an inadequate response to this. Your dog may be able to open her sutures by licking or gnawing on the incision site. What should you give your cat when she arrives home? Thank you!! Continue to give your cat all prescribed medications. How often should I be checking a dogs incision after surgery? If unable to lick or chew, they may rub it on the floor instead. In a normal, healthy dog, properly healing, non-infected incisions typically heal within 10-14 days and a permanent scar forms within about 14-21 days. Her name. Ripped stitches can be severe complications, so youll want to bring her to the vet if you notice that she is missing even one or two. In addition to post-spaying surgery complications, complications that could happen during the surgery are vital to discuss.