A neutering session’s post-op healing and care can be quite the challenge on the dog owner as well as the dog. The vet hands you a list of things to prevent them from doing and your dog manages to do the one thing they really should not: lick their wound.
So, what to do if your dog licks his neuter incision?
Well, for starters, check if the wound has been reopened by the dog licking the wound. If it has, call the vet immediately to prevent an infection from occurring. Also, see if the wound is gaping or there is considerable swelling around the incision which may require stitches.
If your dog seems uncomfortable, check if there is an excessive weeping or discharge from the wound, or if it starts smelling foul. This can also lead to an infection so get it checked by a vet as soon as possible.
Keep your dog away from other pets in the house so no roughhousing takes place and causes harm to the incision. Exercise and excitement in the first two days can lead to the stitches reopening so make sure to avoid it.
How to Take Care of Your Dog After a Neutering Session?
Spay and neuter surgery can be quite taxing on a dog’s body, especially for the first two days and most dogs will not vocalize if they are in pain, need help, or feel uncomfortable, which is why it is important for dog owners to understand how to take care of their dog post-op.
We have explained here a few ways to ensure your dog feels respected, heals easily, and is comfortable.
Keep Their Cones On
Although the dog’s vet will tell you until when to keep their cones on, as a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to keep them on for 10 days straight. If it seems too much, remove for short intervals 5 days post-op but keep a watchful eye. The wound may itch 10 days after so it is best to check with the vet and then take the cone off.
If your dog does not seem to get comfortable with a cone at all, try using soft collars, inflatable cones or e-collars, flexible fabric e-collars, or make one out of old jackets or even onesies.
Although they will require a more watchful eye from the dog owner, they work just as well in keeping the wound dry and able to heal easily while keeping the dog comfortable throughout the healing period.
Hygiene is Important
All precautions after surgery are taken to prevent infection in the incision from occurring and the best way to ensure it is keeping a check on the dog’s wound, at least two times a day. If there is discharge around the incision, clean it up using a damp cloth but do not, in any case, run a bath as it will soften the skin around the incision.
Also, make sure to follow the doctor’s orders precisely. Do not take them swimming until the vet gives a green signal to do so and do not in any case, let them run off to play fetch as exertion can also lead to open wounds.
Comfort is Key
After a neutering surgery, dogs tend to feel extremely lethargic – they will not move around, eat food, or even drink water for the first two days. If this continues on until the third or fourth day, your dog is most likely in pain and needs to be seen by the vet.
To keep your dog comfortable and help them feel loved, freshen up their dog bed, pet them lightly, and reassure them. Do not yell at them as it makes them sad. Also, you will need to keep them away from swimming pools, it is completely off-limits.
What to Do to Keep Your Dog Distracted From Licking His Neuter Incision?
Most dogs instinctively lick their private areas and some have made it a habit to do so. This makes it even harder to take care of the dog post-op which is why it is important to have a couple distractors ready, especially for the first 10 days, or until the stitches dissolve.
Most experts recommend getting your dog some pet-friendly puzzles to keep their mind stimulated even if their body isn’t. Others find taking them out on a walk while on a leash takes their mind off of their wound while a few suggest dog owners keep their dogs away from other canines until the stitches heal.
Other ways to ensure your dog does not lick their neuter incision is to find over-the-counter medications or ask the vet to prescribe painkillers. Once the itching goes down, so will the dog’s urge to lick their wound.
Besides a cone, you can also ask the vet to bandage the incision up but it is proven to be the least effective, especially when a cone isn’t placed on the dog and they are free to tear the bandage off. Hot spots like neuter incisions are most susceptible to bacterial infections which is why it is important to take care of them as best as one can.
How Can You Tell the Incision is Healing Well?
There are a number of ways to tell the incision is healing well:
- All redness, swelling or bruising around the neuter incision has settled down
- The incision has closed and there seems to be no gap
- There is no need for further suturing, stapling, or stitching for the wound to close
- The surrounding area is tough, not tender
- There is no discharge from the neuter incision
Most dogs go back to being their active, normal selves after two days but it is important to monitor them carefully for at least two weeks for a neutered male dog and more for a spayed female dog.
If you feel like your dog is not acting like themselves, it may also be due to the neutering operation. Some dogs seem to change after getting spayed and though it isn’t anything to be concerned about, it is important to know. You may notice their aggression has calmed down and temperament is more balanced.
FAQs On What to Do if Your Dog Licks His Neuter Incision?
How much time does it take for a dog’s neuter incision to heal?
Generally, it takes 10 to 14 days to heal and in that time, a dog may feel lethargic, lose their appetite, and seem sad. With time, it will pass, the wounds will heal, and they will return to their normal selves and sometimes, they’ll be even better.
How do I know the incision isn’t healing well?
Some tell-tale signs of your dog’s neuter incision failing to heal are:
- Excessive drainage or weeping from the incision
- Extremely foul smell from the wound
- Blister-like swelling on the wound
- Heavy bleeding
- Incision edges are gaping
- Discharge is yellow
Under any of these circumstances, it is best to call the vet without any second thought as an infected neuter incision can be harmful to the dog’s life and be painful to take care of the longer it is left untreated.
Besides licking, what can cause incision infection after a dog has been neutered?
Incision infection can be caused by a variety of elements like an open or poorly healed wound, internal bleeding from the operative procedures, hernias (especially in females), or even jumping around excited can cause the stitches to open up and open the area to infection.
How am I supposed to clean a neutered dog’s incision?
A neuter incision is to be cleaned generally when it gets dirty but following the vet’s orders is the best way to go. First, take a cotton ball and dip it in some warm or lukewarm water. Gently clean the area and make sure not to tightly grasp the area or be aggressive while cleaning. It will only make matters worse for the dog and you, as well.
Final Thoughts
Having a dog neutered is a big decision and whether you had it to prevent testicular, uterine or mammary cancer in your dog, to prevent them from breeding puppies, or to simply balance their aggressive tendencies, temperament or roaming needs, a neutering surgery can take quite a toll on your dog.
It is important to take good care while they are healing post-op, ensure their stitches are clean and uninfected, and that they are happy and itch-free. All of this will allow them to lead a better lifestyle after 10 to 14 days.
So, now that you have gone through the ultimate guide and know what to do if your dog licks his neuter incision, you are well on your way to take care of your dog to the best of your abilities and help them be the best of theirs.
