What Causes Seromas in Dogs After Surgery?
Dogs undergoing a surgical procedure in the ventral midline have a 10 percent chance of developing a seroma. This means that out of ten operated dogs one will develop a surgical complication in the form of seroma.
Seromas are typically a surgical complication most likely to occur after abdominal surgical procedures involving the central line. Common examples are spaying and neutering procedures.
Although the exact causes leading to seroma development are not fully understood, the chances increase in the following scenarios:
These factors are all related to the surgeon and its practices.
What does a keloid look like?
Keloids are raised and look shiny and dome-shaped, ranging in color from pink to red. Some keloids become quite large and unsightly. Aside from causing potential cosmetic problems, these exuberant scars tend to be itchy, tender, or even painful to the touch.
Is It Normal For A Dog To Have A Lump Under A Spay Incision?
It’s totally OK for a dog to develop post-op swelling that feels like a lump or bulging ridge. This signals that your dog’s immune system is actively working to fight potential infections and promote the spay incision healing process. After all, spaying and neutering involve surgical intervention and cause tissue damage.
That said, there are many possibilities of what a lump after spaying or neutering may be, so you need to stay vigilant. While some lumps are, for the most part, harmless, others can signal a serious postoperative complication that needs urgent attention.
So why do dogs get lumps after spaying or neutering? Here are five main reasons why there is a lump where your dog got spayed.
After the surgery, the veterinarian will apply stitches to the incision site. Depending on the type of incision, the tissue damage can run pretty deep, reaching the muscles and connective tissue. In this case, the veterinarian will need to apply several stitches and use more suture material.
It’s not uncommon for the dog’s immune system to react to implanted foreign material, leading to inflammation, delayed healing, and formation of a visible linear bump under the spay incision.
The good news is that a small suture reaction often resolves on its own. However, to err on the side of caution, take your dog to the veterinarian for a follow-up.
In some cases, an inflammatory reaction in the form of a lump or a bulge can actually signal incisional infection.
Incisional infections after spaying or neutering occur when a dog licks, chews or scratches the incision area. To prevent your dog from interfering with the incision and keep infections at bay, invest in good protective gear. Cones, bandages, and dog onesies are just some of the ways to keep your dog from licking the incision.
The chances that your dog develops an infection are minimal. However, keep an eye on the following post-surgical complications:
If you notice any signs of infection, visit your vet as soon as possible.
Depending on your dog’s age and size, the surgeon may choose to ligate your dog’s spermatic cord using a cord tie or a figure 8 tie technique rather than suture it. This, in turn, can cause a tiny bump or a lump to form at the top of the incision site.
A lump caused by using a cord tie or figure 8 tie technique is often not visible to the naked eye but is palpable with fingers.
This type of lump is generally no need for concern. That said, examine your dog routinely to check if the lump is not changing in firmness or growing in size. If it does, visit your vet.
Note that these techniques are used for neutering small male dogs only, and this can’t explain why your female dog has a lump under a spay incision.
A hernia is an uneven protruding bulge or a lump that forms close to the incision site.
A hernia occurs when the sutures at the incision site break apart, and the internal organs and structures start poking out. In some severe cases, the organs can escape entirely into the space under the skin. Excessive physical activity during the first few days after spaying is usually one of the main reasons for developing a hernia.
Due to the nature of female dog spaying (which involves opening the abdomen), post-surgical incisional hernias affect only female dams.
Though incisional hernias vary in size, even the modest ones require urgent vet attention and surgery.
Have you noticed a soft-textured lump at the spay incision site that looks like a blister and is filled with water-like liquid? In that case, you’re probably dealing with a seroma. Seroma is not painful to the touch and will resolve within two to three weeks.
There’s no need to go to the vet unless the seroma:
Seroma is the accumulation of serous fluid under the skin. It’s a pretty common side effect after the surgery though not every dog that has been spayed or neutered will develop a seroma.
Essentially, seroma results from the inflammatory response to tissue trauma. After detecting the damage, the immune system activates its immune cells to fight infection and encourage healing. This, in turn, triggers an inflammatory reaction, which leads to swelling and the build-up of serous fluid.
Seromas are not painful, but they can feel sore and tender. Dogs who are very active after the spaying or neutering are at a higher risk of forming seroma at the incision site. To lower the risk, limit your pup’s movement and use a crate when needed.
Usually, seromas are harmless, but you need to stay alert and contact your vet if your dog’s seroma is growing too large.
Seroma looks a lot like a blister. They resemble palpable and soft lumps that develop close to the incision site. These lumps can be completely unnoticeable or grow big and protrude similarly to hernia.
When pressed on, seroma may leak serous fluid. Serous fluid is clear or slightly yellowish and resembles water, though slightly thicker in density. It also doesn’t have any smell and shouldn’t leave marks on clothes.
The serous fluid with color or foul odor is a red flag that your dog’s incision might be infected.
5 Possible Complications After Spaying Your Dog
What Is a Seroma? … A seroma appears as swelling at the surgical site, and this can occur during the recuperation period that follows any surgical procedure. In the case of a spay procedure, the lump will appear around the incision line on your dog’s abdomen. When palpated gently, it feels like a water-filled balloon.