It's booked!

Hi everyone... Long time no speak :)I hope your all okay!

I need some reassurance as I have just booked Otis in to be castrated this thursday! :(I am absolutely petrified that it may affect him temperament and worried how he will handle being left at the vets, because I know as soon as I walk out the room he will panic. However I have done my reading and know the chances of it affecting his temperament is slim, I think.

Does anyone think taking a blanket with him would make him feel a little more settled?

I know it seems mean to have it done so close to christmas but I will have ample time to look after him and give him lots of tlc, otherwise it will be in May and I won't be able to give him the same attention. His is around 15 months now and the only reason for getting it done is due to having a retained testicle, if this wasn't the case there would be no reason to. The vet has also been brilliant and hasn't forced us in any way to rush our decision either and completely understood our reasons for waiting to have it done.

Meanwhile he is snoozing away on the couch without a care in the world!   

Speak soon

If the operation is for medical reasons then it is justified, I'm sure he will be fine and taking his blanky in is a lovely idea, just remember to collect it from the vets again when he goes home.

It's better in the long run to get him done.

To be honest, if he has no nervous tendencies now, then his temperament shouldn't be affected. Just be careful when he's recovering to make sure that any meetings with other dogs or people are good ones so that he doesn't link his discomfort to those meetings.

Good luck, I'm sure he'll be right as rain really soon!

Aww sure he will be fine xxx

I'm sure he'll be just fine, keep us updated Sarah xx

Aww thank you everyone! Just being a worry whale... but I have thought this through for a long time and having it done over the 3 weeks I have off from uni will be ample time for me to give him all the attention he needs whilst he gets back to himself.

Thanks Caryll think I am going to very keen on asking owners if their dogs are friendly, because he's such a good boy with other dogs I wouldn't want him to feel any different.

I will definitely keep you all updated. He's goes in on Thursday at 10am so from that point onwards I will be restless until I get the phone call to pick him up!

He will be fine he will be a little groggy when he comes home but that will soon pass and you will be wondering how he isn't in pain (very high threshold!) i would possibly put some newspapers or something non fluffy down for him when he comes home incase any fluff got stuck on the wound. As for temperament, it shouldn't change much. He may be a little calmer but hopfully thats all. Good luck!

Good to hear from you Sarah, he will be fine   x

Good tip Hayley, I hadn't thought of that.

I just hope he doesn't go too crazy The vet did also warn me that he may decide to be bouncing round the same day haha!

Has anyone got any more tips on what to expect?

Back to themselves the next day, although some take worse to anesthetics than others, took Moo 3 days when she was sedated for x-rays. Mind games and very short lead walks Xx

I'm sure he'll be fine Sarah, but it is a very good idea to get it done whilst you are around all the time in the post op period. My Kuchar was very sorry for himself the day of the op when I brought him home - walking like stiff-legged jockey! The following day he was so full of beans he jumped up onto the dining room table as he usually does (he is a hooligan I'm afraid) and split the stitches, which he then proceeded to lick at. He had to be re-sutured (the vet nurses were disgusted with me) and wear a head cone for 10 days afterwards. So I would earnestly suggest that you discourage any violent movements for the 10 days that the site will take to heal, and do not under any circumstances allow him to lick at the stitches (they will go soggy and dissolve before healing is complete).

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. It's tomorrow so he has had his last meal for today and will be going in at 10am tomorrow morning - it's a good job I have revision to keep my mind partly occupied! Otis having to wear a cone should we say will be interesting to say the least

Oh Lynda what is he like!

Oh the cone of shame, you can get soft ones too Sarah, this are a bit easier on your shins   

http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/dog-supplies/dog-health/dog-medicines/dog-injury-protection/soft-e-collar-size-1.html?ref=googlebase&gclid=CP-4pYy_ursCFWbLtAodmVgAfA

Ohh Kathy they look good, have you used them before? Can the dog get them off easily?

Well I dropped him off this morning, I had visions of him being stubborn and laying on the floor not wanting to, but off he went cautiously with the nurse! Hopefully I should have a phone call at around 2!

I felt so horrible leaving him Can't to have him home so I can spoil him and give him lots and lots of tlc!

Aww your in our thoughts Sarah xx let's us know when he's home safe.

He'll be back home in no time xx

Yayyyy all done he is in recovery and doing well! The vet also managed to do the operation through a single incision! One of his testicles was located a little higher up.

Can't wait until 5:30pm for when he comes home now!

Glad to hear that Sarah, this afternoon will just fly by I'm sure

I've got the builder in at the mo otherwise I would be down like a shot, but I am sure he will be resting with blanket

Let him enjoy the peace and quiet before he gets home   

Glad its gone well xx

Oh yes that's true! The fun will begin tomorrow when he wants to bounce around!

He is now home, ravenous, drinking, flinging his new toys around and full of himself I couldn't be happier!

He hasn't really been too interested in his wound just yet.

Apparently when he heard ched's voice at the vets he dragged the vet round the counter to get to him! Then wee'd on the floor in excitement! haha.

I bet you are very pleased to have him home Sarah, now the fun of keeping him quiet begins.

Good to hear it all went well! Good luck keeping him quiet for the next few days!   

Aww that's great news Sarah, so happy for you xx

Glad he's back home and all is well xx