Spay wound looking bad

If it was my dog, I wouldn't have any problems finding a second opinion... it never hurts to ask.

The owner of this dog says it is worse and it is a long time since that surgery.  What about something to help the skin integrity.  (first defense to infection is broken down there, and worsening)  What if it continues to break down and then doctor decides to go in again?  What would be the next step to heal that wound, when skin is macerated to the point where you can not suture it back together. 

Sorry, I'm out of town so I dont have much time to write a good response If a wound becomes infected post-op, it can be either cellulitis or an abscess. Cellulitis can easily be treated with ABX and the only treatment for an abscess is openining it up. You would never, ever reclose a wound that was infected, that violates basic surgical principles, you leave the wound open to granulate in and heal by secondary intention. You wold also never, ever reclose awound that became macerated and was poorly healing due to a stitch abscess (which isn't really an abscess, just inflamation), you'd let it heal by secondary intention also. So, worring about preservation of the skin edges isn't really a concern here.

Any wound has the potential to get infected, this alone isn't a good reason to give ABX. The only thing that can help the masceration is good wound care and keeping the area clean and dry as much as possible, no meds do this

I'm not a huge proponent for doctor shopping, studies show patients actually get worse care when you jump from doc to doc, but.... you are the most important part of the story here, if you don't feel comfortable then there go elsewhere. If I were you, I would go back to the same vet and ask if they can try to yank the stitch and see what he/she says-then go from there

What about cleaning the area epsom salts and warm water. Maybe 4-5 times a day. It is very good for infected area's. I had a very simular problem with Fiona my daughters 8 yr old Irish Setter only with her leg that never healed from 2 blown i v lines and what a mess that is. It is better now though. It all started out with her being spayed for pirometra(sp?). Anyways...that's another story. Just don't put too much salts in the water or else it will sting and we don't want to cause more pain. I used a mixture of epsom salts and glycerin to make a poldice (sp?) and it drew out the infection from Fiona's leg..big time. But again if it's from a suture knot I would get back to the vet and ask the something be done about it. Poor baby..it looks sore..Good luck..and keep us informed.