Hi,
My little girl was spayed last Thursday and at the same time had a hernia op so she has a few more stitches than a normal spaying. Yesterday I noticed that one end of the cut had become puffy and red, but no leaking discharge, it is still dry. I understand that as they heal stitches can look quite horrible and wondered if this was the case here as this is day 8/9. I have bathed with salt water last night and today and common sense tells me that if this was becoming infected then surely she would be trying to lick and worry the wound, however she is completely ignoring it and takes no notice at all.
I don't want to rush to the vets if I am just being over protective and would be grateful if anyone has any advice.
She is due to have her stitches out on Tuesday (should be Monday but delayed due to bank hol)

I would pop her down to vets today - especially as its Bank Holiday Weekend.  She may just need a few antibiotics - if you leave it until Tuesday it may become more serious.

I would also get her checked out ..you could also take her temp.

Many thanks for advice.
I did pop to the vets this afternoon and she has the start of an infection on the internal stitches. It is where the vet tied off and created a knot and her body seems to be reacting to this. She has been put on a few days AB to stop the infection developing any more. I sometimes feel as though I rush to the vet too often and worry too much, but on this occasion I am glad I went and am grateful for the shove I had from the replies on this forum.

glad she is sorted.

R~

We've just has this very problem.  One of mine had surgery in January but his wound has only just healed properly.  Prior to this, every time we thought it was ok he'd develop a new small seeping section. 

I only recently realised it was the internal stiches that were causing the problem.  His body was obviously trying to eject them and I think we've now finally seen the last of it as I pulled a 1cm piece of 'line' from the scab.  I saved it to show my vet but as soon as it dried it crumbled to nothing.

I'm usually very good at vet visits but as it was so minor I didn't think it was too much to worry about.  In retrospect I should have realised that it shoudn't have needed so long to heal...

>> I only recently realised it was the internal stiches that were causing the problem.

How very coincidental!!  I have also recently had a dog react to stitches in the same way.  The vet said that the dog was rejecting them!