Thanks cassiesmom. I'm afraid he didn't heed your advice to stop licking and, in some ways, is back to square one.

Guys, I'm cracking a little here, need your prayers ... but before I tell you about today's happenings let me tell how things are a little different for me in the mechanics of vet visits.
I have COPD, which means lots of things affect how I breath, my ability to get enough air into my lungs. Sometimes walking is hard on me.
I don't have a car, can't drive, therefore perhaps unlike some of you, a vet visit isn't a matter of just putting the dog in the car and off we go.
My son has a car and is available sometimes to take us, which is fine except Bobby gets stressed and invariably poops in the car. Which is the reason I only accept and/or ask for my sons help if absolutely necessary.

Today. I walked Bob there, vet took out the stitches, noted a there was a still a small amount of fluid seeping through the little spot where the top of the drain had been. Instructions to bathe it and just keep an eye on it.

Bob had been licking a little during the day and around 4:15 I had a look at the site. A hole, a rather large hole. Phoned the vet and took him down there for her to take a look. May need a stitch in. If I went back with him tomorrow as there is only a morning surgery they wouldn't be able to bring him back. As I have told you, I have no car and my son is working and wouldn't be able to go get him so upshot is he would have to stay at the hospital until Monday.
So, off I go home with antibiotics with instructions to bathe it, keep it clean.

Back home, cone back on (an old one I already had) and crate dismantled.

Bob doesn't seem bothered but I'm tired and disheartened. Please say a little prayer for us both.

p.s. must explain about the vets locations. The surgery where we take pets to be looked at, checked over, whatever is within walking distance. The hospital at which all and every procedure, including stitches, is done is around 40 or so miles away.