|
|
Post by elmuervo on May 30, 2008 8:35:07 GMT -5
Hi All.
We're having a nightmarish wrangle with ourselves over whether or not to have Barney neutered. He is 4 years old and came to us in early April having just finished his racing career.
Our vet's opinion is that Barney should definitely be neutered for the sake of the health benefits that it will afford him in the future, and to guard against any unwanted or inappropriate 'macho' behaviour now.
Whilst this obviously makes complete sense and we know that all rescue centres practice neutering as a matter of course, we are still in a dilemma as to whether or not to go ahead.
Barney is a fit and healthy boy and he is settling-in with us so happily and so well. He was not in the greatest of conditions when he came to us (upset stomach, very thin, lots of scars, a little bit bald and full of fleas) and is only now achieving his correct body weight and a healthy coat. Oh, and his little personality is growing by the day.
We are really worried that the upset and trauma of unnecessary (?!!!!!!?!!!) surgery - plus the wearing of a head cone for two weeks! - will be very damaging to his settling-in period and that he'll lose confidence and trust in us.
Should we have Barney neutered? Are we being stupid, overprotective and typical 'new parents'? Intellectually we know that the answers to both questions are "yes", but emotionally we feel that we need to shield him from any further suffering.
Please help folks! Can anybody offer reassuring words or advice?
Many thanks,
Jo and Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by lyndajayne on May 30, 2008 8:46:22 GMT -5
My reply would be a most definite "Yes". I can see no reason at all to not have him neutered. Chances are that he wouldn't ever have to wear a head cone! None of mine have ever needed to as they have all just ignored the stitches apart from a gentle lick occasionally.
Being from a welfare/rescue background I would 100% agree with neutering and spaying.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aoj on May 30, 2008 9:01:29 GMT -5
I don't think you'll get any other answer than "do it" on this forum!
You already know the benefits and even your vet recommends it. Barney may not need to have a cone on, that will depend on how he reacts to the stitches but there are alternatives such as a t-shirt which can work just as well.
Don't hesitate. Make that call and get him booked in.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nettie on May 30, 2008 9:22:42 GMT -5
I'd say do it as well. Angela, I'm just wondering how you do t-shirts on male dogs? Do they wear them like a nappy?  As the others have said, its not always necessary for dogs to wear cones, if he is insistent about licking stitches then you only need to make him wear one when you can't keep an eye on him and tell him to stop. |
|
|
|
Post by Princess C on May 30, 2008 9:30:30 GMT -5
We are really worried that the upset and trauma of unnecessary (?!!!!!!?!!!) surgery - plus the wearing of a head cone for two weeks! - will be very damaging to his settling-in period and that he'll lose confidence and trust in us. Should we have Barney neutered? Are we being stupid, overprotective and typical 'new parents'? Intellectually we know that the answers to both questions are "yes", but emotionally we feel that we need to shield him from any further suffering. None of my dogs have ever experienced upset and trauma because of surgery - on the contrary, they usually really enjoy being fussed over and spoilt extra rotten afterwards If anything, double snuggles and being hand fed chicken whilst sprawled on the best sofa has led to a greater level of confidence and trust on their part! Yes, you should have him neutered, but no, you're not being stupid or overprotective, you're just being caring  I reckon you'll be posting asking for advice on how to keep him quiet until the stitches are removed PS My vet doesn't give out head cones, she reckons they cause more stress to the dog than the surgery does, and far more damage to house and humans legs  |
|
|
|
Post by Aoj on May 30, 2008 9:45:29 GMT -5
Angela, I'm just wondering how you do t-shirts on male dogs? Do they wear them like a nappy? You put the back legs through the armholes and the tail through the neck hole and you can either gather up the body of the t-shirt on topof their backs and "pony tail" it with an elastic band or, if the t-shirt is long enough, you can put a slit in it to put over their heads. |
|
|
|
Post by lurcherlot on May 30, 2008 10:10:18 GMT -5
Your vet is absolutely right - the risk you run by not having him neutered far outweigh any trauma! Testicular cancer is rife - book him in today!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lisa on May 30, 2008 10:41:57 GMT -5
Im absolutly gobsmacked that the trainer didnt insist on him being neutered when he allowed him to go to a new home as the good ones usually do.
Can I just ask is your bitch spayed? Was she spayed whilst with you or before she came into your care? If she isnt then the obvious answer is get him booked in now because even if he is castrated shortly he will be potentially potent should she come into season for at least ten weeks.
Im not sure where the worry about neutering knocking them about or the needs for a head collar comes from. We neuter our dogs as a matter of course the majority are done whilst in kennels so not attended or watched and we dont put a head collar on any of them rarely do we get one that pays interest to their stitches and havent had to have any re stitched for pulling them out.
He may be groggy on the night of the operation but can return to normal excercise the next day as long as on leash. Ive never heard of dogs subdued after neutering only ever phone calls to say how do I keep them still.
Neutering is the sensible option as your not planning on breeding from his etc. There are health benefits, temprement benefits, ive only ever see dogs settle more after neutering not become worse, it will stop him mythering your bitch if another local bitch comes in to heat. Likewise should a local bitch come in season he may start to mark the house, look for escape routes etc and there isnt any guarantees of stopping an accidental mating other than castration.
Nowadays its a very simple straight forward procedure and no longer classed as major surgery.
Gap probably neuteres around 5 dogs a week and we never encounter problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by ailsa on May 30, 2008 10:45:00 GMT -5
If it's any consolation, Roland and I were exactly the same over Archie! He only arrived with us in March, at the age of four and 10 months, and we had him castrated three weeks ago. We were ridiculously worked up about it - to the extent that I almost rang up the vet surgery the night before in order to cancel our appointment!  I have a horror of going under general anesthetic myself, so felt dreadful about doing this to Archie. In the end, of course, there was absolutely nothing for us to worry about. He went in at 9am, I rang at 2pm and he was already up and about. He was slightly Bambi-legged for about 24 hours but, other than that, you'd never have known he'd had anything done. No swelling, no bruising, no licking of the stitches (therefore no head cone) - nothing. I completely understand your concern, but you know it makes sense... Good luck to Barney! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by vickyb on May 30, 2008 11:16:14 GMT -5
Our last dog couldn't be done as he had a bad reaction to an anaesthetic (about 20 yrs ago and they are much better now) and so daren't risk it but we always wished we could have had him done. Every time he got the scent of a bitch in season (about twice a year) we all had a nightmare week, he would howl and be thoroughly miserable, he even managed to jump a 6' fence which he never even considered any other time. When he got to 14 we took him to the vets and he injected him to temporarily chemically castrate him as were all concerned about the effect his not eating, pacing, howling, not sleeping etc was having on his health at that age. I wouldn't wish that on anyone as obviously it was a risk to do that too. Without any shadow of a doubt I would always have my dogs done, as indeed is my lurcher boy now. He is the biggest wimp but sailed through it no problems. Hope all the comments on this thread this reassure you. Every medical intervention carries a risk, but so does doing nothing.
Best wishes, Vicky
|
|
|
|
Post by Jen Wren on May 30, 2008 13:26:23 GMT -5
Firstly I can understand your worry about putting Barney through surgery. It is a worry for any of us when our dogs have to go through any procedure.
But I agree with everyones comments on here and say a big YES to neutering. I find that dogs are so much more settled after being neutered. I did a dog psychology course last year and learned that a dog can sense a bitch in season up to a mile away. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be for a dog not to be able to satisfy its urges. Also neutering is a fairly easy procedure with a quick recovery period and you will find he will be recovered quicker then you think, especially at his young age.
Let us know how you get on and some lovely pics would be nice ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by elmuervo on May 30, 2008 13:34:32 GMT -5
We really can't thank you all enough for taking the time to help us. Guess what? He's booked-in for Wednesday the 25th June. Hooray!  We made the appointment about an hour ago. We haven't stopped apologizing to him since, whilst at the same time telling him that he'll need to find himself a new hobby (if you get my drift)! Yes, our little bitch Ellie has been spayed. She suffered a pyometra soon after she came to us four years ago and was rushed in for surgery as an emergency the same day. That was a real shock as we barely even realised that she had a problem, let alone a life-threatening one (she was just a little under the weather and was a tiny bit smelly 'down below' and we had only gone to the vets as a precaution). Everything happened so quickly that we didn't have the time to agonize over the decision in the way that we have over Barney. Lisa: The trainer that Barney came from was a really nice guy and seemed responsible enough, but how can you ever really tell? I will say that we were very impressed by his obvious love for his hounds and his independent efforts to home them well (after all, many don't even bother, as we are all too horribly aware), and no money changed hands. But he was clearly very 'industry'. Barney had been living in a shed with many others, had been fed a rubbish diet, been kept thin, and his teeth and coat left a great deal to be desired. It seemed to be a low-budget operation. Barney had outlived his usefulness and now needed to be 'moved on' - which was a stroke of luck for us as he's a little diamond! We're sure that there are probably far better trainers around with greater contacts and resources, but there are also far worse. He was just a nice guy trying to do his best for his retirees and we were very happy to help. We had no idea at all that Barney getting the scent of a bitch in season could / would be such an ordeal for him (and probably the rest of us). In fact, he has started to mark a little around the house recently, so perhaps the decision has been made just in the nick of time. Fingers crossed (and legs!). You've all made a fantastic case for having him 'done' and have been really reassuring about what we can expect when the time comes. Bring on the knotted tee-shirt and forget the cone! Thanks a million!!! |
|
|
|
Post by dominique on May 30, 2008 14:24:30 GMT -5
Yes take them off. There is nothing worse than losing your dog to a disease that you could have prevented so easily ie. testicular cancer. I have had all my dogs neutered and none of them have ever seemed traumatised by the loss of their bits and certainly didn't hold it against me. I think that the only person that suffered was me |
|
|
|
Post by andywillow on May 30, 2008 14:27:53 GMT -5
So glad you've decided to have him done. I've had quite a few dogs be castrated whilst here on foster and none of them have had any problems whatsoever and none had to wear a buster collar as they never bothered with their stitches at all. Another huge advantage is they look so much tidier instead of 2 balls swinging between their legs Try not to worry, just wake sure you have plenty of chicken for him when he comes back from the vets ;D Sue |
|
|
|
Post by elmuervo on May 30, 2008 14:33:45 GMT -5
they look so much tidier instead of 2 balls swinging between their legs Sue Oh Sue, what are you like? I'd just taken a mouthful of tea and when I laughed it came out of my nose! You're not wrong though! Hey, might have Steve done too seeing as the benefits are so great - I'll ask the vet if there's a BOGOF offer on! ;D |
|
