My dog's spay scar is red and hard. Is it an infection or cyst?

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like that one focal area at the end of her spay incision is red, inflamed, and getting crusty. I definitely recommend having your vet take another look to make sure it's not getting infected, especially since that one spot looks dramatically different from the rest of the incision line (which appears to be healing nicely). Hope this helps!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Lina. Unfortunately only one picture is attached, and I think it may be the earliest picture given your description in the question. If the incision looks more red and scabby, that suggests infection. I would have her seen by a vet first thing in the morning to get it checked out to be safe. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Panda's spay incision does appear to be red and a little swollen. Swelling at a spay site can be due to a variety of reasons, including infection, inflammation from a reaction to the suture material, or over-activity after her procedure, among others. I would recommend Panda be seen by her regular veterinarian to have the swelling evaluated, and start any medications (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory) that she may need. In the meantime, I would recommend icing the area as well. Good luck!

Hi there! No picture came through with your question. If you re-submit with an in-focus picture of her incision, I will be more than happy to take a look. If the discharge is a translucent red color and in small amounts, it could be a normal part of the healing process. If the discharge is thick, green/yellow, or milky, that may indicate an infection that would require a course of oral antibiotics to treat. In the mean time, please do not put anything on the incision. Creams and ointments will trap bacteria underneath them and it is better to leave the area open to the air. If she is licking or bothering the incision, please restrain her from doing so by using a cone collar, inflatable tube collar, or shirt. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. There may be a reaction to some suture material that was used to close the muscle layer under the skin. Start apply very warm compresses to the lesion for 10 minutes twice a day. Gently clean with a skin antiseptic with chlorhexidine & apply a little topical antibiotic. If the lesion does not resolve within the next 10-14 days, your pet may need to be seen by your veterinarian & a course of antibiotics may be required. But, it is not anything too worrisome. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The only thing I can't tell from the picture is if the skin is together at the red area. If it is then I think it is fine. The red area appears to be a scab or dried blood that will likely heal. Just be sure she isn't licking the incision (use an E-collar or T-shirt) and that you are keeping her exercise restricted (no running, jumping, stairs and leash walks outside only). Good luck!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The incision looks inflammed, but this could be part of the normal healing process. If there is any discharge, OR if the wound looked better than this previously and is now looking MORE red than say Friday or Saturday, I would take her back to the vet right away. If it is steadily looking better, and she is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally, then you can continue to monitor it. Best of luck with Lilo.