getting neutured in a week

[LarryL]

So we're about to make the appointment for oliver to get snipped next week, and I just wanted to get some advice and opinions from you great group of ppl here.

Hes almost 7 months.

The doc said if we bring him in on a weekday, he'll be able to come home the same night.

He also said that he will need the cone of shame for a week, and then will need to come back a week later and get stitches removed.

We're trying to plan our 4th of july weekend, and want to take him with us so I'm debating if we bring him next monday (the 23rd) if you guys think he should be back  to 100% by thursday the 3rd??

Some other questions I have are:

1- I thought most vets use the stitches that just dissolve. Any reason why he mentioned coming back again and having them removed?

2 - what cone do you guys recommed?? I know some ppl have mentioned a non plastic cone that almost looks like a travel pillow - or some childrens boxers shorts lol......any tips on this?

3 - lastly, a weird friend of mine mentioned that I should get the implants that go into his scrotum to look and feel like his missing man parts lol. Is this rediculous, or something I should consider. Sounds sooooo funny :)

Thanks guys!

[Barbara Korber]

Hi, here's another article that discusses the neutering issue.  Seems it is becoming more of an issue as research is looking into it.  I agree that it definitely is not a "one size fits all" issue, and that it's probably a good thing for the majority and for the prevention of overpopulation.  I'm still on the fence about it. 

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/the-plot-thi...

[LarryL]

Thanks for all  the great info guys.

After looking at some of these studies, I'm now torn about neutering now, and possibly at around the one year mark.

The only thing is, Oliver still has one of his puppy canines growing side by side with his adult K9. The doc said its not a huge deal right now, and if we neuter soon, he'll just remove the tooth while hes under.

But now if we wait, and the tooth still has yet to fall out on its own, then what?

What are your opinions at neutering now vs 1yr+?

Any point to wait?

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Does your breeder contract contain any kind of stipulation about the timing of the neuter?  Our breeder contract stipulated that we were to neuter Truffle between 9-14 months (she adheres to some of the opinions in the articles about waiting for growth to slow down/finish). We went ahead and neutered Truffle just after the 9-month mark.  He's a medium-sized labradoodle and is basically full-grown now (although I imagine he'll continue to fill out in muscle mass a little bit).  He's been a steady 35 lbs or so for the past 2-3 months, so I had no real qualms about doing it on the earlier end of the breeder's timeline.  Truffle also has displayed some dominant traits (resource guarding and humping, in particular) that we hoped would subside a bit after the neuter.  In fact, I'm not sure if there's a correlation or it's just a happy coincidence, but he hasn't humped once (either humans or other dogs) since his operation a month ago.  I think it's probably the latter because I find it hard to believe that the snip would have cured him of his joyful humping, but time will tell if he takes it up again!

All things being equal and if neutering Oliver poses no real risk at 7 months vs one year (a question you'll have to get answered), I personally would prefer to take care of the neuter and the tooth at the same time, so as to avoid a second round of anesthesia for the pup.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Humping is a dominance thing, not necessarily sexual.  And I have had females who were hopeless humpers.  My dogs hump when they are around a new dog and they are all neutered.  Let me try to get this photo of the boys "going at it" when Copper first came here.  My husband calls it their "congo line".  We worry about the small dog and his back.