Neutering

JanW · Master

Neutering

CAROLE ROBINSON · Old Hand

My vet advised me to restrict all activities to basic needs - no stairs, no running, just short toilet walks for 3 weeks. The important thing is to keep a close eye on the wound, any sign of redness or swelling - return to the vet immediately.

JanW · Master

Thanks Carole, I know she needs to have it done, and the vet is very good, but I can't help worrying about her. I've got a child gate for the stairs so it will be getting fitted tonight.

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hi

I know Blue is a boy so surgery is not quite so intrusive but the main thing weren't prepared for was the effect of the anasthetic.

Even though the vet had given him the lowest possible dose it took him ages to get to his feet then he was staggering around as though he was drunk.

After a couple of days he was back to his normal self - Infact he was even better as one of his testes had had a tumour. Dread to think what would have happened if we hadn't had him neutered. You are certainly doing the right thing!

Give Ruby a hug from me.

Amanda

UndercoverElephant · Master

Not as bad as the other time I picked Blue up after an anasthetic when he'd had an altecation with a coffee cup. He walkes 200 yards then dropped like a sack of spuds and I had to carry him the rest of the way home. Despite their lightweight appearence there's a fair bit of weight to a greyhound.

JanW · Master

Good news and bad news, Ruby is ok, but has to stay at the vets tonight. He wanted to give her stronger pain killers and keep an eye on her overnight (says greyhounds can have low tolerence to pain?). Best place for her so she gets the care she needs, but even though we've only had her a short time the house seems really empty without her.

Good news is the vet says she's in great condition and can come home tomorrow for lots of hugs. The gate is on to keep her off the stairs, and a fresh supply of pigs ears is waiting!

Carol · Master

Hi,

I was quite surprised when we got Eilidh 'done' about the size of her wound. I'd always thought it would be keyhole, but it's not. I found that getting up and lying down hurt her for a few days.

The one thing that disturbed me was that, when she was trying to go to the loo, Eilidh was in a fair bit of pain. Squatting to pee wasn't so bad but number 2s were, and she squealed a bit for a few days after her op trying to do them. I wished someone had been able to tell me about that before her op as I was completely panicked by it. I found that putting a bit of oily tuna in her food helped things to pass more easily. It also helped stimulate her appetite again as she wasn't too fussed on her food afterwards.

Another thing is that, losing a couple of stitches isn't a terrible thing as long as the wound stays closed. The vets put stitches on the inside too so they can afford to lose some on the outside.

Finally, I should add that it didn't take her long to recover. The really hard part was trying to stop her having a carry-on (after about five days) in case she did herself damage.

Hope this helps. Might help you not to worry so much if any of these things happen.

Carol

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Janet, don't worry, she'll be fine! Keep everyting low key for a couple of days, she'll be a bit uncomfortable, give her lots of treats and cuddles and short walks only, she'll be back to normal come Monday!!

JanW · Master

Ruby's at home with her dad and sound asleep. Can't wait till I get out of work to see her.

Thanks to everyone for your support and advice

bluesmumanddad · Master

Glad she is ok

Suprising how quickly they become part of the family isn't it. I wasn't prepared for how worried i would be when Blue had his op.

JanW · Master

It's been fairly quiet at work, so experimenting with getting Ruby's pictures off my phone and onto the PC. It's really difficult to get a good picture of her because as soon as she realises she is centre of attention she comes over for a hug! Another nose to the camera shot!

Calatria · Master

When we had our first bitch neutered, about ten years ago, she had a scar worthy of Dr. Frankenstein. I felt terrible, just looking at it, it was about seven or eight inches long. So I was prepared for something awful when Belle had her op last year, yet her scar was only a couple of inches long, and so neat. She, too, made a bit of fuss when squatting in the yard, we put that down to the stitches being pulled a bit.

We always use a buster collar on our dogs. I was amazed at how our first bitch managed to interfere with her stitches, I had no idea she was so supple . So we made sure that the other dogs automatically wore the collar. It seems unfair, when they're already suffering, to make them even more uncomfortable, but for us it was worth it. And the dogs soon forgive and forget anyway