"Big Boy" surgery scheduled!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Well, our doods go to the friendly vet on Friday morning for their "big boy" surgery. We keep telling them that this just means they are really growing up. The rule is - if you live in our house, you MUST have this  little "nip and tuck."  Our vet is such a stickler on not neutering them until they are 6 months old, so we felt lucky that we are able to slip them in even 3 days before their 6 month birthday. They have to be all well and good to go for the beginning of football season. You know us crazy folks in the SEC - we live and breathe football, so they have to be ready for all the in-house parties and the tail-gating parties!!!

[DJ & Chance]

Good luck!  Chance's surgery went fine and he didn't even need to wear the cone.  I just distracted him when he tried to lick to area, and that worked.

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Update - the boys were neutered yesterday and all went well. Well - that is according to the vet and vet tech! Cody & Casey don't really think so!!! Cody keeps rolling over on his back like he is trying to show me his "boo-boo" . They told me to keep them crated last night and to go outside only on a leash. This morning they can go in the backyard on their own, but we are to discourage rough play for about 7 days. This should be interesting. But so far, they aren't interested in rough play anyway. They take a few steps and stop to lick. Stitches come out in 10 days. Hopefully they won't take them out before that - but so far, they have only licked at them and haven't pulled them. Cody slept most of the Amy yesterday after we got home, but Casey was awake and alert. Weights on the boys at 6 mos is Casey 37.5, Cody 36. Any predictions for adult weight? I'm still thinking about 60 lbs.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Glad all went well!  Good news! 

[Rebecca bratter]

I'm so nervous, my little girl Madiba who just turned 6 months goes in for her big girl surgery tomorrow.  She's such a mushy love muffin and a crazily active little girl.  She also has a little hernia where her navel is and she is getting chipped.  Does she have to really wear a cone on her head for 2 weeks?  She's going to hate me if I make her do that.  Just looking for reassurance that we really have to do this and that she will be fine.  We are having it done at Banfield in Pet Smart, has anyone else used them for neutering/spaying? How are Casey and Cody doing??

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

The boys are doing great. They had their stitches out on Monday. The day of surgery, we picked them up about 4:30 in the afternoon. We took them for a short "potty" walk, then put them in their crate for the rest of the day. They licked their surgical site, but never chewed or got rough, so they never wore a collar. The day after surgery, we kept them in their crate a lot of the day and over the next few days let them out more and more. They are now 2 weeks post surgery and you would never know they had a thing done (except of course, they are minus a bit of appendage). I'm sure that Madiba will do fine. We tend to worry about it much more than necessary.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Looks like I'm late to the party! Glad all went well with " Da Boyz"! I know I will be a nervous wreck when it is my little girls time!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

How's your little girl doing? Enzo is still a few months away from her surgery and I know I will be a basket case!

[Rebecca bratter]

I was a nervous wreck yesterday but it turned out fine.  She was dazed all night but she absolutely refused to sleep, instead of a cone we got her a blow up neck tube and she hates that too.  She won't put her head down so she stayed up and wined and tried to lick her wounds all night, which meant we didn't sleep either.  today she is walking around and doing small jumps just fine, but miserable with the cone/tube.  So I would say the head gear is the worst part of the process especially if you have a very active, playful pup who tends to be a diva.  She just refuses to put her head down, I hope we get her to do so tonight so we can sleep.  

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Have you tried taking all of the "head gear" off and seeing how she does without it? My guys didn't need to wear any of that and they did fine. Cody tried to lick it a couple of times, but didn't get agressive or bite at the stitches. A simple "leave it" and he stopped. (at least for a while) By day 3, you couldn't tell that they had anything done.

[Rebecca bratter]

I am definitely going to get her out of the tube as soon as I can. She is a chewer so I'm concerned that she will rip out her stitches, but I'm going to check the incision every day and give it a try tomorrow.  We took it off for a while today and told her no and she was good but when we are not with her or at night when she does her night prowling, she's going to start gnawing.   Are both of yours boys?  Is the procedure easier for boys in terms of stitches?  I realize that the impact on the male dogs of the procedure is greater than it is for the girls but I've heard that the healing is easier for the boys?

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

Both of my doodles are males. I also currently have 2 male and 2 female dachshunds as well. In the past, we have had several other dogs - both males and females. All dogs (and cats) have been sterilized.  I really never saw a big difference between male and females when it came to the healing process after spay or neutering. Some have been a bit more aggressive about pulling on the stitches, but I've never used a collar on any of mine and have never had a problem. I know that each one is different and has to be individually monitored to determine what is best for them.  Good luck.  Madiba is a doll and I'm sure that you will do whatever is best for her. Just "go with your gut."  

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Wishing you all a great nights sleep!