A Slight Hiccup...

[Heidi & Milton]

Recently, I received the inevitable phone call from Jeff.

         "Heidi, I just picked Milton up from daycare, and they say he needs to be neutered by the end of the month or else he cannot return."

        <Radio Silence> on my end.    

I don't think my husband realized it, but I had been dreading that day for quite sometime.  I suppose my main opposition to neutering comes from the fact that we never neutered our chocolate Lab, Brutus, when I was growing up.  Of course, he mounted many a leg and humped quite a few small children into submission (my friends can attest to that), but this just seemed normal.

As a dog mom, I feel like I am giving our doodle an "unnecessary" operation that results in mutilation and the need for painkillers.  Recently, I voiced this opinion on my doodle connection website, Doodle Kisses, and the post received 1,348 page views total along with 88 comments on how it is "irresponsible" not to neuter your dog.  I did not realize this was such a hot button issue.  The multitude of reasons for the practice, include to control the pet population, prevent unwanted cancers, and to quell dog lust to procreate which can often lead to aggressive behavior.  Jeff and I decided neutering was a necessity and a worthy cause at that.

So yesterday I sent Milton and Jeff bright and early to a 7:30A.M. appointment at the SPCA.  We chose to have the operation at their clinic because they perform a day procedure, rather than an overnight, it is significantly cheaper ($82 including anesthesia, surgery, and painkillers) than visiting a vet's office, and as we all know, the SPCA performs an interminable number of these operations every year, so they must have expertise in their practice.  At about noon, we received a phone call that since one of Milton's testicles had still not yet descended, the surgery could not be performed.  The vet suggested that we wait until the Milt was 8 or 9 months old to see if the remaining testicle would descend naturally.  Now Milt is almost 7 and a half months old, and Jeff and I have read a few articles on the topic as well as spoken to multiple vets, and they have convinced us that any natural resolution is not likely.

Note the lone ball.  It wasn't this clear before Milt was shaved.

Almost all male testicles have dropped by 6 - 8 weeks of age but not our boy's.  This condition is known as cryptorchidism - "hidden flower."  In normal development, the testicles form in the abdomen and then travel down a canal to their final resting place in the scrotum.  Our boys' pair did not follow that routine path.  Instead, Milton's other testicle could be floating around anywhere along that route.  Who knows?  The main worry is a condition like this can easily develop into testicular cancer or torsion, so the testicle must certainly be found and removed.

For Jeff and me, it makes us nervous (seriously distressed really) that Milton will need the one normal incision plus another incision in the stomach which will require an elevated bout of anesthesia and an elongated recovery period.  

Today we plan to try again with the Milt at a different SPCA that is more comfortable with performing this procedure.  Hopefully it will be quick, almost painless, and we can put all this behind us for the Thanksgiving holiday and the rest of Milt's life.  It is not the most pleasant condition to be stuck with.

On an up note, Queen Goob, one of my very best fans, is the winner of the Lotsa Doodles Calendar Contest!  Yay, Goob!  I will drop that little gem in the mail for you very, very soon.  

To read more about Milton the Goldendoodle please visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I hope all is well!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so sorry to read this....hoping for a good outcome for Milton.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Im glad you are getting Milt fixed, but sad to hear he has some issues. Thankfully you are now aware and can give him the best care. he will be just fine! Keep us updated on his progress.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Good luck, he'll be okay. :-)

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Good luck on your surgery Milt.  You will do just fine :)

[Sharon & Monty]

Sorry I would have to agree with F.  Why has your vet not noticed this before?  If you are not comfortable with your vet, move on, as this really should have been noticed earlier.  Milton will be fine in the right hands.  

[Sharon & Monty]

Awww. poor Mitt, but not so much.  this should not be a huge deal, trusting the folks taking care, it will be fine.  Pawsitive thoughts your way. 

[BG and Gavin]

I am sure glad that this condition was discovered so that Milt can get the best care to ensure a long and happy life. Best wishes for a quick and painless operation.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am sending pawsitive thoughts for a complication-free surgery and quick recovery for Milton.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hoping the surgery goes well and Milton is soon back to his usual happy self. I agree with F, it's very surprising that you vet didn't see this.