Questions to ask the vet about neutering

[JazNRafs]

Milo will be four months old in a few days. The vet said he can be neutered at four months.
Can anyone suggest questions that I need to ask the vet regarding the surgery and recovery. I was told by a friend of mine that there are different kind of stitches(those that dissolve and those that need to be removed after healing). Can anyone give any information?
I'm so nervous for my baby to have surgery.

[JazNRafs]

Thanks for the reply Jane.
Milo is about 30 lbs now. Both his testicles have descended and he didnt start to lift his leg as yet, he still squats to go to the bathroom.

[Donna & Murphy]

I was told to wait until about 6mo old unless the dog seemed over stimulated. I was going to have Murphy done at a younger age since his first puppy visit to the vet resulted in him "humping" the vet he was about 9 weeks old at that time. Since I had 2 older labs Murphy soon learned his place in the pack and he was neutered at 6 mo. with dissolving stiches and all went well. But I do understand your worry, he had to stay one night and I was beside myself. For a male dog it's much easier. Dissolving stitches are easieras well. Don't worry all will be ok.. Good luck to you and Milo. Donna

[Debbie and Thomas]

I'm a nervous wreck too. My doodle is 5 1/2 months old and will be neutered in two weeks. They told me that they will keep him there overnight and he will have to wear a "collar" for 10 days. I really want this to be overwith. His testicles are there for the removal-so it should not be that bad. They told me the stitches are the dissolving kind, so thankfully, we don't have to have them removed. It just seems so barbaric(I live in a house hold of men-husband and two boys, and a male dog) but this doggy likes to "wiggle" on pillows, blankets, our legs etc. and once in awhile a little "stranger" pokes his head out of his private area (I am trying to be delicate ) So it is time. Our late dog, Buddy came home from this surgery as if nothing had happened to him so I am hoping for the same experience.

[JazNRafs]

Milo sometimes have the little stranger poking out so I guess it's time.
Thanks to everyone else for the responses and reassurance.

[Sandy]

Toby's little stranger didn't start poking out until after his surgery....

[Chris & Boys]

Sweetie, I hate to break it to you, but my 14 yr old GR got neutered at 6 months and has been, as my boys used to call it, "dancing" with pillows, blankets, etc. ever since. He has never done it to a person though...

[Casandra, "Scampy" & "Smooch"]

The vet that I work for won't do spay/neuters on any animal less than 6 months. Ask about fluids, are they given any, are they monitored while under anesthetic AND while waking up from anesthetic, do they insert a trachea tube in case the dog aspirates under anesthetic that's a good start. My Scamp has a condition that doesn't allow his blood to clot properly so he bled A LOT and aspirated while he was under as well...but he was still fine after all that. So I'm sure your's will be fine! good luck with everything :)

[Sandy]

At our vet's, and I.V. was optional, but we agreed to have and pay for it. We felt Toby would be better off having fluids, and they kept it running until we picked him up, so he had fluid support all day.

[JazNRafs]

I spoke to the vet's office today. Milo's surgery is scheduled for Thursday.
They said the inner sutures with be self dissovling and the outer will be sealed with skin glue and he doesnt need to stay away from activities for more than a day. Let's see how it goes(fingers crossed).

[Sandy]

A day? That seems odd. From what I've heard, they at least "suggest" 10 days.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I agree with Sandy-our vet wants our dog to wear that "collar thing" for 10 days after his surgery. He also has to stay overnight so they can keep an eye on him and test his vitals etc. because of the aenesthetic. I think they are being careful to avoid infection which would be awful and also want the sutures to heal before he goes back to the dog park. We'll see-he will be neutered in two weeks.

[JazNRafs]

I asked about the risk of infection and they said they will send us home with antibiotics.
Will let you guys know how it goes.