Question:
Hi there

I just recently (this past Saturday) got my 3 yr old Chihuahua/Pekingese mix male neutered. He was fine after the surgery and was lethargic for the rest of the day from the anesthesia, except that his testicles were very red, but the Vet said that this would go away. His appetite went back to normal by Sunday and he was his usual self, there were no signs of discomfort or weird behavior.

However I noticed on Tuesday, 3 days after the surgery that there was some redness near the incision area, not really beside it or on it, but just near it. Then yesterday, the redness got worse and was spreading to almost near the incision. I took him to the Vet right away and he took a look and said that it was because my doggy was a little bit old for neutering, so his testicles were a bit larger, and that the redness is from the removal of his testicles. He gave me some anti-biotics and I’ve been giving it to my doggy as suggested, but the redness just seems to spread more.

This morning I checked on the area again, and the redness is really red today, and I’m afraid that it might be internal bleeding? Or maybe he’s had too much activity? I haven’t taken him out except to pee and poop, so there’s been no playing outside or inside, however he does get super excited even when he’s just out for pee. I’m planning to take him to the Vet again if I don’t see improvement.

Any past experiences or comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

Answer:
the redness is really red today
That's the worst kind of redness... Ok, just trying to lighten things up with a little humor, sorry.

Is it a rash or just red? Some dogs have a reaction to alcohol or iodine used to clean the skin... Could it be bruising? Can you maybe take a picture and post it?

If you're really worried, I'd say take him to another vet for a second opinion. Sometimes if vets make a mistake, they don't fess up.

Good luck.

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If it's getting worse I would definitely take him to the vet but, as Prin said, take him to a different one for a second opinion.

Good luck and please post with an update.

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Is the red area hot to the touch? That would signify infection. I'm not so sure I wouldn't take him back to the treating vet and be a little more demanding. If it's not hot and it's not oozing, then it could be nothing, but the spreading part would worry me.
The vet will probably tell you to hold off for 48 hours to see if the antibiotics work but after that I'd have more questions.
And of course if the dog's behaviour changes or he stops eating, put on the sirens.

PS I find the 'large testicles' explanation totally bogus. He was blowing you off.

Answer:
Thank you guys for all your replys! I will post a pic tonight when I get home from work...as you can see I'm not concentrating at work...

Prin: I appreciate the humour , it's just that it seems "redder" today than yesterday if you know what I mean, like darker red I suppose. And it does not really look like a rash...more like bruising, because I noticed it was first light yellow, then it got light red (looking like a rash), then just darker and darker red now. Plus I don't think it's a rash because he dosen't seem to want to scratch it or lick it.

Rainbow: thanks for the support, and I was definitely thinking of bringing him to someone else.

Badger: the area is not hot to the touch, and it does not seem to bother him too much when I touch it, although he does get a little nervous and wants to roll back around off his stomach. The actual incision is not oozing or pusing, and the stitches (he used external stitiches, which will be need to be removed) are still intact. My doggy is wearing a cone, and he does want to sit more often, but other than sitting he hasn't really had any chance for "full on tempering"...

I really hope that it is just bruising, and not internal bleeding!! but aren't bruises supposed to be blue or black? it's just that the Vet said to report redness and I did, but he told me that it's nothing. But I will post a pic tonight and hopefully someone can distinguish whether ir might be bruising or not.

Answer:
Bruises start out red then turn, then turn reddish purple, then purplish blue, then bluish green, then greenish yellow, then yellow that fades till they're gone. So, maybe the darker red you noticed is the reddish purple and when you get home it will be bluish. Hope that makes sense.

Perhaps the vet handled your poor little guy a little too rough which caused more bruising than normal. I think if there was internal bleeding there would be more symptoms like lethargy and pale gums.

I also don't know why he put him on antibiotics if there isn't an infection.

Keep us posted when you get home.

Answer:
hello again

so i got home from work, and it looks like the redness is fading a little bit. he's still his usual chipper self, wanting to jump around and play, but I won't let him.

I took a few shots, and if you guys could please take a quick look and let me know what you think.

thanks!!!

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different angle

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thanks you!

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WOW! That's a lot of redness. It looks like really, really, really bad bruising. Not sure I'd let that vet scalpel my doggy ever again if he came home looking like that. Not trying to scare you- just being honest... That's really shocking.

Answer:
It is a lot of redness. I think whoever did the sutures was a bit too rough. It looks like there is a little bit of yellow there as well.... was it red there first?

As long as he's eating and active he's probably okay. Are his gums nice and pink? And, what did the vet say the antibiotics were for?

BTW, after seeing that last pic with the cone on, he looks so sad, so give him a big hug.

Answer:
The first two days we brought him home it wasn't red at all. Then a little yellowness appeared and then the yellow turned red and now slowly turning back to yellow.

He is eating and drinking normally, the only real difference is that he craves more attention just a tad bit more than usual.

And yes his gums are pink, and i'll make sure to give him a huge hug. And the anti-biotics are for prevention, so the vet told me.

thank you for everyones feedback it's definantly great to hear everyones thoughts because every article i read says,"consult your vet, when you see redness,etc...".

The pics make it look alot more red than it really is because of the flash.

so do you think that this really is just bruising?
because the redness doesn't seem to be any hotter than any other part of his body, nor are the sutures oozing or pussing.

Answer:
To me, that's a bruise, very close to the surface, and a healthy colour. I'd just keep an eye on it.
Look at that face!

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Yeah, I think it's bruising. Poor guy. He's such a sweetie!

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I agree. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I keep looking at that last pic and I just want to give him a hug.

Get a good night's sleep and I'm sure he'll look better tomorrow. Keep us posted.

Answer:
Thank you for all the support and feedback. i've been pretty worried sick this week, especially knowing that the Vet didn't think the severeness of the bruising was anything to think twice about.

do you think it the amount of bruising has anything to do with his age what so ever?

he's 3, and I know that that's pretty old for neutering, but I juss don't want to think that he was harshly mishandled during the operation....although, either way, this Vet is not a keeper.

Chiko is such a sweetheart, he's so goofy and lovable, I gave him extra kisses from you guys.

I will keep you posted on the progress...thanks again everyone!

Answer:
My old dobie was done at three and didn't look like that... My dad's dog was two and didn't look like that either...

But it could also be that your doggy bruises like a peach... We'll never really know.

Answer:
Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give you guys a quick update for this morning, the area has not gotten any redder nor has it faded though, it looks pretty much the same as yesterday.

However I noticed that the top layer of skin around his scrotum has gotten really dry and the colouring is almost black it looks like, and I can see that there is some dry skin that might begin to peel soon, is this normal?

thanks!

Answer:
Hmm... Hard to say... I'd still bring him to a different vet, just for a quick look-over.

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I noticed that when I got my lab neutered too. I thought it was going to shrivel up and fall off but he was fine.

Just keep an eye on him and as long as he is acting normal and there's no sign of infection, I wouldn't worry too much.

Keep us posted.

Answer:
Hey everyone

I took my little guy to a different vet over the weekend, it was a new vet and they practice homeopathy and traditional methods as well. They were just FANTASTIC. I never got such undivided attention from any other Vet before, and they were truly helpful and caring. If anyone is in search of a new Vet in Vancovuer, I highly recommend them, they are called the Vancouver Animal Wellness Center on Broadway, near Main St.

He gave me some cream for the dryness, as well as a 2-day oral medication which is supposed to help with bruising and any redness. He said that the brusing was mostly from the other Vet pushing out the testicles too hard. But in anycase, the bruising basically disappeared in one day, and we just need to put the cream around the dry areas every 12 hours. So other than the dryness, it looks a lot better than last week and he's been eating and drinking regularly as well.

Thanks again everyone for your input!

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Great news. Thanks for the update.

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Are you still giving the antibiotics the other vet gave?

Poor doggy had his jewels so forcefully manipulated. :( I'm sure the first vet wouldn't appreciate being handled like that.

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No, I stopped giving the anitibiotics right after coming back from the second vet. He agreed too that there was no reason for taking them. I know, my poor little guy ...well, at least now the first vet will be getting lots of bad word of mouth spreading around from my end!! ***

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