Chester neuter this Friday

[MVons]

After a month of bad weather, then waited a week for our $50 neuter voucher, good weather is predicted for this week. Chester is to arrive between 9 and 11am. And we can ask for him to be done first and just stay in the area saving another trip up and down the mountain.

We'll get him in a 9am and then go shopping unless the movie theatre is open that early. We also requested X-rays and chiropractor adjustment if X-rays show the need. So Chester may awaken feeling great from the adjustment and not notice stitches below!

I won't be anxious until Friday and anything I feel will be minor to my husband. He cringes at the thought of that surgery. I can see him asking the Vet if Chester needs an ice pack the way he did for his vasectomy. :TWITCHY: My husband will drive us down. I'm a little nervous that they would release Chester too early to us. Anything I should keep an eye out for if that happens?

I had to call them back and ask shouldn't we withhold food, they said food AND water after 7 to 8pm. Erec is going to be gone Saturday (school event) so I figure that will help keeping Chester calmer. I think I will have to crate Chester when I fix his breakfast to keep him from jumping in excitement. Oh my what fun to keep a puppy calm.

Now for me to stay calm without munching!

[dcole]

Vibes for Chester this Friday! I didn't have any issues with Trevor when he had his procedure (and I recall picking him up fairly soon after it was over.) Maybe others can comment.

Re. the nervous munching - stock up on apples and carrots - at least they're good for you! :LAUGH:

[Jespah]

Plain popcorn should help you Merrie.

We've all been there and we'll all be here with vibes for Chester and you!

[Dillydoodle]

I had to leave Dillon overnight ( not my choice for sure!!!) becuase he had double incisions as he was chryptochid so he had abdomen stitches in addition to the normal spot.

I would ask the vet to give you a post op list so you know what to look for and what is normal. From personal experiences- they can be a bit groggy still, and want to sleep a lot in the begining, you might want to bring a nice warm blanket for him for the trip back as sometimes when the anesthesia wears off they can be cold and shivering. Also they can feel a little sick to their stomach.. and often the anesthesia can give them the runs - each dog reacts differently and some barely notice that anything has happened at all! I am sure that Chester will do great and he will have lots of good vibes coming from all of us here for his special surgery!

Emilie

[ZdogZ]

I will definitely be thinking of you and Chester on Friday. We took both Zeke and Zia in at 7:30 a.m. and picked them up around 3:30 p.m. and both of them did fine. Zia was pretty groggy, but Zeke acted like nothing at all had been done to him.

[MVons]

Also they can feel a little sick to their stomach.. and often the anesthesia can give them the runs - each dog reacts differently and some barely notice that anything has happened at all! EmilieNoooooooo! :SHOCKED:Chester gets car sick as it is! Thank you for the heads up. I will contact my homeopath and see if the remedy that works for Chester would still work when he is drugged. I will bring the "pads" that I have left over from Pepper to cover the whole seat as I won't be up to laundry of the towels when I'm watching over the sluggish dog. But who knows maybe Chester will be like Zeke!

If I forget a blanket, I'll just put my coat over him.

Post op information - good tip as this office can get busy if there is an emergency.

When will he get his first meal, the next day? He is up to 36.5 pounds so it isn't like he will fade away missing a day of meals.

Deb the movie theatre doesn't serve plain popcorn, but you know the butter variety would be better than a candy bar! I do okay on fat, it is the sugar that is my downfall. I should put a big sign on my refrig - carrots - to remind me to eat them.

I also have the soft Elizabethan collar to bring to the Vet.

[ZdogZ]

Merrie - Zeke and Zia both ate a very small amount of food when I brought them home. Zia threw her's up, but Zeke kept his down. When I picked Zeke up, he was just like he was when I took him....minus a couple of parts:BIGGRIN"! (I just slapped my own hand for that comment). Here's to hoping Chester will be like Zeke!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I can't offer any advice since I have no experience with a male dog, but we can certainly send tons of Mojo Vibes. (I would suggest that you spend a lot of time with the vet and techs asking about how the procedure went, and what to look for since getting back down to the vet is not that easy, or quick, of a thing. But then you already knew to do that, just reminding you :SMILE:.)

And Kristi, for shame! LOL!!!

[corgiland]

Sending lots of good vibes to Chester........will be thinking of him.

[mtoy]

Sending vibes to Chester, although if he's anything like Link he'll either not notice what happened or not care. There were no issues afterwards with nausea or needing a collar. If only his toenail was that easy!

[Dillydoodle]

At my vets, they offer food that same afternoon...With dillon his surgery was at 11am... I know they fed him around 3pm a smalll amount which he ate and kept down just fine... At my vets they actually want to see the dog eat and keep the food down before they allow the dog to go home... I would offer chester a small, meal when you get home that evening... and i would also give him water, but watch how fast and how much he drinks, some dogs are pretty thirsty but too much water wont sit well... and they might throw it up.

Sending vibes that chester wont be car sick going or returning! Good idea using the pads in the car, something that can easily be tossed out... the good thing is that he wont have food in his stomach at that point....

Emilie

[taflar]

Noooooooo! :SHOCKED:Chester gets car sick as it is! Thank you for the heads up. I will contact my homeopath and see if the remedy that works for Chester would still work when he is drugged. I will bring the "pads" that I have left over from Pepper to cover the whole seat as I won't be up to laundry of the towels when I'm watching over the sluggish dog. But who knows maybe Chester will be like Zeke!

If I forget a blanket, I'll just put my coat over him.

Post op information - good tip as this office can get busy if there is an emergency.

Chances are he will be fully awake and just fine!

When will he get his first meal, the next day? He is up to 36.5 pounds so it isn't like he will fade away missing a day of meals.

That would probably be best, but ask your vet. If the anesthesia bothers him at all he might not keep dinner down. Some do, and some don't. If he's having the surgery in the morning he'll probably be ok to eat a light meal in the evening.
[/QUOTE]

[CorgiMum]

Lots of good vibes for Chester on Friday, and a hug for you. I'll be thinking of you both.

My boys all did well and I'm sure he will too.:SMILE:

[pookabeansjd]

Sending good vibes for Chester. I'm sure he will do fine and wont miss those parts at all.
(Mike cringes still when he thinks of the surgery).

good luck

jackie

[Fluffypants]

Vibes going out to all of you Merrie. Easier said than done, but try not to worry. He's going to be a-ok. +TUP+

[LaRositaMonita]

Good luck tomorrow, Chester! Mac says be like him and look extra pathetic afterwards at the vet's but just sit there....you'll get even MORE lovin' than usual and will have absolutely no memory of anything bad happening to you there in the end!

[Kassie]

Lots of good vibes for all of you tomorrow! Aine says "It's the MANLY thing to do.":BIGGRIN"

Hope you have better luck keeping him quiet than we had with our little firecracker!+JIGGY+

[CorgiMum]

Good vibes for tomorrow Chester!!

Dylan and Danny say it's easy!!

[ZdogZ]

We will be thinking of Chester tomorrow! Keep us posted on how things go.

[Dillydoodle]

Sending good vibes to chester for today's surgery! I am sure he will do great!

[Jespah]

Merrie I know how stressed you must be with all that has happened in your family this week, so Chester's neutering will be a little harder on you than it normally would.

So a ((HUG)) for you and good vibes for Chester today!

+WUBCLUB+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+WUBCLUB+

Deb, Rupe and Jem

[CorgiMum]

We are thinking of {{{Chester}}} & you as well Merrie.+HUGGLES+

Barbara,
Montrose, Dylan & Danny

[jcj528]

~~~~Healing vibes to Chester and Peaceful, Relaxing Vibes to Merrie~~~~

[disraeli ears]

Good vibes for Chester and you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+WUBCLUB+

[MrsGrace]

Just caught this...

MANY MANY vibes to you Merrie and fast healing vibes for Chester!!! +WUBCLUB+

[Akatihsa]

I hope everything went great with Chester's neuter. Get well soon!

[taflar]

Forgot he was getting neutered today. I hope all went well!

Peggy

[MVons]

Got home at 7pm!!!

Well the Vet office is WAY too busy and don't communicate well. Paul and I brought Chester in at 9am because we thought he could get operated on first. We went shopping and lunch and called at 1pm to find out he wouldn't be ready until 5pm. So we drive home pick up Erec and take him home, then go back down.

Chester was sleepy and had a huge plastic cone collar. Poor dog trying to get out of the office catching on everything he walked by. One gal said to bring him in 3-5 days to have it looked at, but the tech said come in 10-14 days to have the stitches out. They want the collar left on the WHOLE two weeks to stop him from licking because licking increases infection.

I yanked off the plastic cone in the car and put on the flexible one so Chester could rest on my lap. He slept most of the way home.

At home I looked at the stitching and gasp as I guess the Vet isn't the best at sewing. I know it is because he is red there that it looks worse. We took off the collar so he could have some water at home but he did get a lick in before I put it back on. He is doing better now chomping on ice cubes. He just trotted to get another cube. So the drugs are wearing off.

Erec got to see Chester before he went to bed (has to be at the school at 6am for Science olympiad). I guess I better get to bed because I'm driving him to school!

I wish Chester was non the worse but I know he'll be better. I don't plan on driving an hour, waiting two hours just to hear "he looks fine" for the suggested 3-5 day check, so I'll bring him in for the stitches removal as the post opt says at 10-14 days.

Any opinions on licking causing infection? Pepper didn't have a collar after her spaying.

Oh and a little old lady with a very straight face replied to a woman who said she can't remember the difference of spay vs neuter, "Oh that is easy, no nuts equals neuter":BIGLAUGH:

I'll bring him back at 11 days probably and think I'll go back to my other Vet for the shots and checkups after this. This Vet who did the surgery is way too busy and we didn't even see her. She did an adjustment on his back and unless he needs another one in the future I don't see a need to see her.

Thanks for all the well-wishes.

[Jespah]

Honestly, if it's not something he's even bothered by in the next couple of days, it's doubtful he'll need the cone Merrie. Rupe never wore one at all. You guys know Chester best and you are there to keep an eye on him. If you go out and are worried, put the cone on then.

Unless it weeps or gets bright red and looks nasty - wait the full time to take him in to get the stitches taken out. Rupe had the desolving kind - thank goodness!

Glad to hear all is well - love that method of remembering the difference between spay and neuter!! :LAUGH:

[taflar]

Chester was sleepy and had a huge plastic cone collar. Poor dog trying to get out of the office catching on everything he walked by. One gal said to bring him in 3-5 days to have it looked at, but the tech said come in 10-14 days to have the stitches out. They want the collar left on the WHOLE two weeks to stop him from licking because licking increases infection.

IMO, if he doesn't bother the area then he won't need the collar. I've not had an e collar on many of my dogs for either spay or neuter.

I've not noticed that licking will increase infection. What I've worried about is a dog pulling out stitches while licking. Usually after a few days say a week they are healed enough that they don't need a collar if they needed one before.

Most of mine have not bothered incision sites.

If you have a flexable e-collar that should be fine for him to use.

At home I looked at the stitching and gasp as I guess the Vet isn't the best at sewing. I know it is because he is red there that it looks worse.

It is common for the area to be red for a day or two. And without seeing the sutures I can't comment on the vet's sewing skills. But remember this isn't a cross stitch picture or a table cloth that's going to be on display. ;)

I wish Chester was non the worse but I know he'll be better. I don't plan on driving an hour, waiting two hours just to hear "he looks fine" for the suggested 3-5 day check, so I'll bring him in for the stitches removal as the post opt says at 10-14 days.

The stitches will be ready to come out at 10 days. I'd not worry about a 3-5 day check unless there is oozing, swelling or spreading redness. Those merit a vet visit.

Peggy

[mtoy]

I can't say that Link's stitches looked nice afterwards, and it was red, but it was just fine. As long as it's stitched so it doesn't come apart or leak or whatever it really doesn't matter because the hair grows back over it and you won't see it at all in a few months. And the day of the surgery we never saw the vet at all - in fact, I have no idea which vet in the office did the surgery as they have a few there. They are supposed to be reproductive specialists there(not why I chose them though) so I figured they would all know where the bits and pieces were to be found. The tech did just fine bringing him in and picking him up. Actually when the stitches were removed we didn't see the vet either, but there was no need. They brought him in back, removed them and returned him to me all fine. Link really sailed through it without a second thought.

Millie's spay was at the Humane Society clinic and was pretty much the same. I never saw the vet there either on drop off or pick up.

I bet Chester will be fine!

[corgiland]

Glad to hear that Chester is back home, Merrie....and sending many healing vibes to him.......

[disraeli ears]

Rhys also never needed a cone or a onesie, as he never bothered his stitches....except for the night of the surgery (he cried a bit, and slept a lot), I don't know if he even realized anything had happened! :LAUGH:

He had to have his stitches removed to. I took him by the clinic 10 or 14 days after (can't remember) and it took about 2 minutes for the tech to remove them. Unfortunately, he didn't have the nice dissolvable ones.

Andy was still at the breeder's when she was spayed, so I can't comment on her.

Good to hear Chester's on the mend. As has been mentioned, watch the area for any oozing, leaking, or spreading redness - if so, go straight to the vet's.

[CorgiMum]

Glad that Chester is back home and that he is doing well. None of mine had a cone, Montrose or the boys, in fact we didn't even see Danny look at himself, let alone lick the area.

(Sounds like you do a lot of driving up and down that mountain Merrie.):WINK:

[ZdogZ]

Glad that Chester is home and doing well.

[MVons]

Chester did pretty darn well last night. I held him on my lap watching a movie. I heard gurgling in his tummy and thought oh no. Yes, movie break while he pee'd then tried to pee again, then a tiny loose bowel. He was thrilled I remembered yogurt after that and his tummy I think just needed something good in it. I gave him a tablespoon this morning before breakfast. He slept with his collar so I could hear the ching when he moved his head. When I heard licking, I'd fly my glasses on and shine the bright led in the crate and see him with his head away from the area. I think it is so tender, no risk of stitches out. I know I won't get steady sleep for a few days.

The science teacher was nasty because we were a minute late - I had to clean Erec's glasses. Luckily Erec rode with a mom who will calm his anxiety of being a minute late. It did give me insight to Erec's class anxiety as that teacher is not what I'd call calm - can't tell a book by it's cover!

This morning, I noticed they didn't clean his ears or trim his nails, but maybe the anesthestic was wearing off after the chiropractor adjustment. I don't know if they took X-rays and a little mad about that. The bill just says adjustment along with neuter and we all know x-rays would be more. Guess it really doesn't matter as he won't be having another adjustment unless something happens (fall or gets stepped on by a large dog).

His testies are pink and red, truly hard to tell if swollen as we didn't get a good look at them last night, I was too shocked at the stitches. I thought they would be on the testies, internet corrected me. If I can't keep an eye on him every minute, the collar is on as Chester wants to lick. Thus he has it on right now. Outside with the collar is a joke, it scoops up all the dirt!, I have to keep it lifted up so he can walk. So it comes off when outside.

I did play the "find it game" where he sits and stays, and I hide treats. Funny how a corgi really likes that game.:LAUGH:

So we'll eat breakfast, get dressed and check the testies again. If swelling, down the hill we go after calling them. I wish there was more shopping to do, not to spend money, but make the trip more worthwhile. In two weeks, yes, but not in one day. And so happy we timed this all when the price of gas has jumped 35 cents - $3.55 a gallon for regular, the cost of living on a mountain so I don't have to live in the desert or wind blown towns down the hill.

[MVons]

Hubby just looked and said Chester looks great compared to his Vasectomy, no black and blue.:BIGLAUGH: Hubby is squeezy his legs talking about this, men are so funny. There is no additional swelling and I'm wondering if the edge of red is where they shaved him. Relief, no trip down. But my oh my how pitiful a dog looks with a collar on. Chester's nose is so long, he has the 25cm size on. Turns out I didn't get a large enough flexible one and the donut would have been better for his shape head and body. Live and learn. I have no regrets as the flexible collar is lining the plastic one giving Chester a better place to lay his head.

[glencorgi]

Sounds like everything went fine and glad to hear he's home and doing well. I've been through the cone as a backhoe type deal too. :BIGGRIN" It can get messy. You can time use of the cone when you can't keep an eye on him as you're doing. I've had a couple that I had sleep with the cone on and that didn't bother their sleep in the least. Licking at the incision, not sure about increasing the risk of infection, what worries me more about that is the risk of loosening the stitches and perhaps pulling them out. As long as it isn't red around them (think like a splinter getting infected maybe) and there isn't any puss like seepage, (initially there can be a little bit of clear discharge sometimes) all should be good. Unless the area is red and infected - puss and drainage (sorry to be so graphic) at 3 to 5 days, then I'd wait until the 10-14 day period for him to go back and get the stitches out.

Just hang in there, all sounds "normal" with Chester.

Debbie

[glencorgi]

There is no additional swelling and I'm wondering if the edge of red is where they shaved him.

The red definitely could be razor burn. Good catch! <G>

Debbie

[colbycorgi]

glad hes home and healing...colby didnt need any collar or anything...he just left it alone...hope you get better quick as a bunny buddy....

[Kassie]

Sounds like things are on track. Maybe he won't bother with them and he won't need the collar long. We fully expected Aine, the corgi firecracker, to raise Cain with her stitches, but she didn't mess with them at all!

[MVons]

(sorry to be so graphic) DebbieThank you as I needed that to really understand. The Vet office is so busy and after getting different stories when he should be dropped off and operated on, I didn't want to risk getting different stories if I called.

Chester does fine with the cone in his day crate, but he would have a hard time getting it through the opening in his smaller night crate! The cost of a big head, or long nose. He is happy to have it off to go outside.

Oh and the best news I forgot, he hasn't even tried to jump up. It is like his mind says "I don't think that would be wise right now". I'm sure that will wear off and he'll try. Are stairs fine at this stage? He raced up them this morning.

He weighed 36 pounds this morning, don't know where the Vet office got 29.

[glencorgi]

Are stairs fine at this stage? He raced up them this morning.

As long as he isn't racing up and down them repetitively, he should be okay. A trip up and down once and a while shouldn't be a problem.

He weighed 36 pounds this morning, don't know where the Vet office got 29.

That looks about right from his photos - he's a "big boy." <G>

Another important thing to remember is to keep in the incision dry. You can also swab it with hydrogen peroxide if it gets dirty or looking like some infection might be trying to set in - just dry it off afterwards. And it isn't unusual for one stitch to get a bit infected while the rest of them remain just perfect.

Debbie

[LaRositaMonita]

Glad Chester is home safe, sound, and healthy! : )

[dcole]

Glad that Chester is home and doing well!