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!

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi there.  Having recently gone through neutering w/ our now 10-month old Truffle:

(1) Our vet used the stitches that dissolve. Truffle still managed to lick open his incision. It occurred five days after his surgery and he was using the soft Comfy Cone that apparently was a little too soft and allowed him too much movement.  He was stitched up a second time w/ stitches that had to be removed another week later.  For the second wave of cone-wearing, he was in the plastic collar, which I think actually worked better for him because he regained his peripheral vision (the collar is clear plastic).  The comfy cone is solid fabric and he couldn't see to the side with it.  Beware that if Oliver has a coat that mats, the collar will do a number on his neck and chin area.  Pay attention to that and if you can remove it and get it back on him in order to comb, that will be helpful.

(2) See my notes above.  We tried the Comfy Cone and it didn't work, but many ppl on DK have used it successfully. The plastic cone from the vet was more annoying to us (it scratches!) than to him.  Others on DK will recommend the inflatable pillow, but we haven't tried it.

(3) Our vet mentioned the implants, joking that she's received the request to do it on multiple occasions. I have no idea if it's safe, but I personally would never ever choose to do something cosmetic like that. My guess is that the implant is more about the human male owners feeling uncomfortable about the idea of their dogs missing their testicles than it is about the male dog feeling uncomfortable without them!  

Good luck. I'm sure Oliver will do just fine!

[Margo Erickson]

I had Jax neutered last Wed who is 6 months old.  He has dissolvable stitches.  I brought him home and used a soft sided cone that is adjustable with velcro and can fold back so they can eat and drink.  Unfortunately, he was able to get himself into a position where he could lick the incision and ended up with an infection and the incision to open slightly by Friday.  He was so uncomfortable from the time I got him home.. acting like he had a constant biting itch.  He was so bothered by it that any movement caused distress.  He is finally healing up but will have the new white Elizabethan cone on until the end of this week-as long as the healing is complete.

The advantage to the hard white cone (at the vet $12)  vs the soft (Petco $28) is that it stays open and lets air in & won't bend to so they can get to the incision.  The soft one would collapse around his ears and wasn't breathable...it almost had a bonnet look to it.

I highly recommend leaving the cone on at night as I took it off that first night he was home and think that is how the infection started. 

Not sure about the implants.  Jax is happy as can be sans implants.  The healing time is different for a dogs but typically 10 days.  You just don't want him too active before he is completely healed.

Also, I wish I would have done the laser therapy now as it helps it to heal faster. I was told this was just minor surgery and not really needed in the case of getting spayed.

Hope my experience helps in your decision.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We used a clear plastic cone on Yogi. It worked fine, but he was miserable... But time passes quickly. It's a distant memory now. I did try the shorts, they just didn't stay on that well, so that's when we went to the cone

[Barbara Korber]

Hi, just some food for thought.  I'm reconsidering the neutering issue.  I'm attaching a link to a recent study done on golden retrievers here at the Vet School at Davis (California).  It's only goldens so far, but the study results speak for themselves.  More cancer, more bone issues, etc. in the neutered dogs. Especially in those neutered before they reach maturity.   We here in the U.S. automatically neuter to prevent overpopulation, but are we doing our pups a disservice?  I have a friend whose husband is a urologist and he totally agrees.  A vasectomy is all that is needed to prevent overpopulation.  Why remove any parts?  I'm just sayin' - I'm not sure what I will do with Gus yet.  He's only 5 months, but I know if I do it at all I will wait til he's fully mature - at least 1 yr. old.  Just thought this was interesting and good to know. 

http://news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10498

[Stephanie and Ragley]

What do you mean by "if I do it at all"? Are you considering not altering him?

[Sophie]

I had read similar things (regarding bone issues, etc. in Goldens that were neutered too early). Plus we wanted to make sure he was fully grown first (because he came to us with some digestive issues and put weight on slowly at first). So we just waited and neutered Charlie a week ago at 1 1/2 years old. He's healing beautifully and the hardest thing about the whole thing is keeping him inactive. We also had the prophylactic gastropexy done at the same time, laproscopically.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Hmm. Yes I remember this study from doing my own research. Another interesting thing to point out, though technically neutering shows a positive correlation with these diseases, there is also a positive correlation between neutering and longevity. So some have reached a consensus that the correlation between neutering and HD, various cancers, bone issues, CL tears, etc exists because of the increased longevity also correlated with neutering.

[Gail and Bailey]

I have a female doodle so I have no advice on the neuter operation but,  I would like to speak to your question about the implants.  I would think that you would want it to be clearly apparent that Oliver has been neutered as it shows you are a responsible dog owner.  Most importantly though, why would you want to have implants in your dog when it would be a possible source of problems in the future?  Keep it simple, for Oliver's sake.  Just something to think about.  Hoping Oliver has an easy surgery and a fast recovery! 

[Jennifer & Truffle]

That's a great point about the implants, Gail.  Otherwise, I could totally see Larry having to walk around w/ a certificate or something to prove Oliver has actually been neutered!

[Gretchen Nastrom]

We had Preston neutered when he was almost 9 months old.  The vet did the surgery with a laser, which was approximately $50 more but resulted in a shorter healing time.  He had his surgery on a Friday, and we brought him home Friday night.  He was pretty out of it, but by Saturday morning he was much better.  We gave him pain meds Friday night and Saturday but that was it.  

We used the plastic cone until Wednesday (we took it off when we were home if we could be watching him) and he did ok until Wednesday.  He licked the incision, and it was a little red and irritated, so I took him to the vet.  He had not ruined the stitches, and within a week of the surgery he was fully healed.   He had the stitches that dissolve, so they did not need to be removed. 

I really struggled about when to have the surgery done because I wanted him to have time to grow and mature.  We finally had it done at 9 months because he hit 40 pounds and his humping was out of control.  Good luck to you!  You'll be glad when the whole procedure is over and you can put it behind you!

[Cheryl and Lucas]

We had the inflatable on Lucas, he bit it at some point during the night, it popped, complete waste of money. Went back to the plastic cone, we removed it after two days, he left his incision alone. Vet said some dogs don't lick their incisions. Dissolvable stitches. All was well in 5-7 days, but 10 day quarantine especially for the active pups. Lukie was neutered at 10 mos. he never missed 'em, lol!

[Missy]

1) we had stitches that dissolved. but we went back in a week for followup.

2) we had NO Cone.  However, I watched him constantly for 3 days and did not leave him alone for long periods for 7 days post surgery. I even had him sleep in my bed so I was nearby to make sure he did NOT lick.

He got lots of treats and ice cubes to distract...my thought was to wear out the tongue on treats! and I put Neospoirin on the site to ease any itchyness (just a small rub)

3)we considered the implants! :)  we did not purchase them.  and our boy has this loose skin that just flaps in the wind.  it is not large, but it is noticeable if you get that area groomed. our boy seems to be just fine with no implants. and he still squats to pee which is how momma likes it!!

side note: the breeder we purchased from we had to get the surgery done to not VOID our contract.