Schulz is getting Neutered

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I am kind nervous about this. I know that for the health of Schulz and well just because I am not going to breed and want to be a responsible pet owner he needs to get fixed. However, very nervous. My friends just had their dog neutered and while they were at work he licked all the stitches out and then bled to death. I DO not want that to happen. Might get the cone of shame....

When it is all said and done, what do I need to do to make sure he is taken care of and comfortable. We are doing it on a thursday because I have Fridays off and then I will have all weekend to make sure he is fine, plus my kids will help watch! 

Sorry, just dont want that to happen to him!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh my, what a horrible thing to happen to your friends dog. I would certainly recommend the cone when he is unsupervised. The proceedure is relatively simple and the recovery is as well, as long as he is kept quiet for the recommended time and the stitches are left alone. It's good that you have the first 3 Gladys with him. Is he crated during the day so he will be limited in his activity while you're at work?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh then he will be fine. Like you said, your friends were away at work and it seems a cone was not used. Very different circumstance than what you have at your home. Not to worry, most dogs have hopefully been neutered and are fine. Seems more problems occur during recovery from licking or being overactive, than the actual proceedure. But he will be well supervised in your home.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Vern did fine and we did not even use the cone. Some people use boy's underwear. It you do a search you will see some of the posts. I am so sorry about your friend's dog, but it would never be a good idea to leave them home alone the day after surgery. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Good luck to all of you!!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

It was really a non-event for my goldendoodle!  He was nearly 8 months old and had no problems -- no cone was needed.  I really think that he will be fine, especially since you will be with him over the weekend.  Relax!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

He will be fine, especially since someone will be at home.  I had to go back to work after Peri had her spay surgery - was so worried about leaving her.  She did deflate her cone (I got the ring that looks like a tire) and I was worried, but it all turned out okay.  Try not to worry too much, Schulz will be fine in no time :)

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Schulz will be fine, don't worry. It is great that he won't be home alone right away. Monty did not need the cone either. His problem was that the dissolvable stitches did not dissolve. And then he started licking the area because it got a bit red and sensitive. We had to go to see the vet twice to pull out the stitches (Monty kept finding more after the vet pulled some the first time around). But that's just Monty. Schultz will be just fine. The hardest part is to keep them calm and not jump. Yeah, right... like that's possible with a doodle! Keep us posted, and good luck, Mr. Schulz!

[BG and Gavin]

Terrible story about your friend's dog.  Gavin needed the cone.  If I could not supervise him eyes on, he had the cone on for 7 days.  He got pretty good at negotiating with it on.  He was way to curious to leave his stiches alone.  They heal fast.  Try not to worry.

[Sabrina and Bentley]

Bentley just got neutered almost two weeks ago and he's 10 months old.  We brought him to the local clinic because we didn't want to spend $300 at the vet's office.  We were very comfortable with the clinic and we knew a few people who went there and didn't have any challenges.

Bentley's surgery went fine and we did get the cone.  He was very groggy from the anesthesia the rest of the day and didn't want to eat that night.  We decided that since I work from home and he never goes out of my eyesight, that we would only use the cone at night and when he was left alone.  so we put the cone on him the first night.  Complete failure.  He wouldn't move an inch.  He was so freaked out.  so we decided to put on a pair of my fiance's boxers and hoped that worked.  We did that for the first three days and then noticed that he was a little red which meant he was licking through the boxers, not to mention they were probably irritating him by rubbing against him. 

so we sucked it up and put the cone on him when he went to bed.  He whined and barked pretty much all night for the next five nights, but we ignored it.  Talk about no sleep!  And poor Bentley would fall fast asleep after his morning walk because he was tired too. 

I would definitely recommend that you have the cone on him when he is alone.  After about 8 days, Bentley was healed and was good to go.

I did do a little research after we went through this and saw a video about getting your dog to warm up to the cone with treats.  I don't know if it really works, but it's worth a try. 

I'm sure everything will be fine.  Best wishes!!

[BG and Gavin]

So glad everything went well.  Thanks for the update Scot.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am glad he is doing so well! I hate those cones and I don't even have to wear it :)