Neutering

[mrssabes]

Fabian's getting neutered on Thurs. The vet gave us a two-hour window to drop him off and will start blood work shortly after that. Of course, I'm going at the tail end of the window, because I don't want him to be alone that long.

The vet said I could just do a drop off and that they'd call me when everything's done. Of course, I'm planting myself in their waiting room with a good book for as long as it takes, so that I'm right there if needed. (And I'd like to think that he'll somehow sense I'm there.)

I've been having nightmares that make me cry about the vet screwing up the paperwork and put him down by mistake. While I'm trying to deal with this anxiety, my husband's making it worse by responding as if someone's going to take HIS balls.

Finally, I'm worried about making Fabian as comfortable as possible after the operation. The vet actually tried to hide a smirk when I said I was scheduling the operation for a Thurs and taking two days off so that I can be there through the weekend. She indicated that it wouldn't be a problem for me to leave him alone with a "cone of shame". I'm no vet, but I think she's wrong.

[AnderMilo]

It's tough when your pup is going in for surgery. Just stay by close. Bring your book as you said and just breath. I've been in your shoes before. Everything will be ok I promise you. Take the days off from work as you need if you are able to. Don't let people's comments, smirks get to you. Personally if that was my vet...I would have walked out and told them they aren't fit to be a vet. If your gut is telling you to go somewhere else... do it. Our guts talk to us in more ways we realize. Everyone on here has been so great on this forum. Come here for support. I did when I had to put my yorkie down.
Just stay strong, wait in the waiting room. Grab a coffee. Go for a walk while your there if you stay with that vet and update us all after he's recovering! ;
Just know, he will be ok when he's done!

[Lovetodream88]

I ussally get blood work done a week before it’s cheaper that way and you know ahead of time everything is ok. Anesthesia is very safe especially when the blood work is done. I would not wait there because they have to hold him for several hours in recovery. What I suggest and has always been suggested to me is go do something to keep busy. My surgery routine is drop them off and go get breakfast and pancakes for comfort and then I go to the pet store and buy something for them because that makes me feel like everything will be fine and they have to come home. After you drop your dog off the tech puts all their stats and what the dog is there for on a big board, then the vet comes in and checks out the dog looks at the folder for them and puts together their surgery plan. On surgerie days they are doing just surgery not putting pets down so it would be extremely rare for that mistake to happen. The good thing is boys recover much faster and easier then girls.

[gemy]

I would never ever say that any surgery even with pre blood work is 100% safe. How ever s+n are usually quite safe.

If you want to stay do so. Take a book or go for a coffee and a short shop around.

I personally do stay when I have put my dogs under general or even locals. But that is just me. My big boy is most calm with me in the room = my old vet got that even though it was not general practice to allow owners in the operation room.

Do what feels right to you and for your dog

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by gemy

I would never ever say that any surgery even with pre blood work is 100% safe. How ever s+n are usually quite safe.

If you want to stay do so. Take a book or go for a coffee and a short shop around.

I personally do stay when I have put my dogs under general or even locals. But that is just me. My big boy is most calm with me in the room = my old vet got that even though it was not general practice to allow owners in the operation room.

Do what feels right to you and for your dog

Yep.....don't let anyone rain on your parade. If you want to sit there, you sit there. If you want to take off two days or two weeks....you do it! It's your baby.

I am quite sure all will be fine, but easy for me to say as it is not my pup going through it.

Sorry, but I had to laugh at the remark about your hubby.

Anyway....best wishes and let us know how you and your pup made out!

[Britster]

I totally understand! I HATE it because I know how much Jackson freaks out and has anxiety at vets let alone when I'm not there or leave him there. I cry when I leave sometimes- ugh, it's just awful but it all works out and know you're doing what is best. <3 I probably wouldn't sit in the waiting room- that would make ME too nervous LOL I have to keep busy. But I certainly agree w/ you that I don't like to leave them the day after alone... I'd take off the following days as well.
Well wishes!

[canana]

I had all these thoughts and worries racing through my mind too when Scottie was neutered and then again when Casie was spayed. It's SO worrisome, even though we know everything will be okay. The days leading up to the surgery drove me nuts. Hahaha.. and my hubby had the exact same worries as yours is having. Men eh?

I took time off after their surgeries, so it's perfectly fine if you did too!! They're babies and need to be cared for like babies.

Don't stress too much (even though I know it's almost impossible not to). Just know it'll be over soon and you'll have to worry about how to keep him less active afterwards for a whole week!

[ladyjane]

Best wishes to you and Fabian tomorrow!

[mrssabes]

Thank you, all. Fabian had his operation yesterday. We did the pre-op blood work: why gamble? I stayed there, so they took him first. They gave me the wrong size e-collar and I had to go back twice before they fit it properly. He also had three baby teeth pulled at the same time. He has figured out how to loosen the e-collar and has regained enough energy to jump off everything. (However, not enough energy to use the puppy pads). I can't take my eye off him for a second because I'm worried about his sutures ripping or getting infected. I "slept" on the sofa next to his pen last night because he's a licker, needs the cone 24x7, and I didn't want him to accidentally choke himself on it in the middle of the night. We are both crying from exhaustion. This recovery from surgery sucks so far. I'm just starting to realize that it's like childbirth: get far enough away from it and it doesn't seem so bad. But when it's fresh, it's the worst.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mrssabes

Thank you, all. Fabian had his operation yesterday. We did the pre-op blood work: why gamble? I stayed there, so they took him first. They gave me the wrong size e-collar and I had to go back twice before they fit it properly. He also had three baby teeth pulled at the same time. He has figured out how to loosen the e-collar and has regained enough energy to jump off everything. (However, not enough energy to use the puppy pads). I can't take my eye off him for a second because I'm worried about his sutures ripping or getting infected. I "slept" on the sofa next to his pen last night because he's a licker, needs the cone 24x7, and I didn't want him to accidentally choke himself on it in the middle of the night. We are both crying from exhaustion. This recovery from surgery sucks so far. I'm just starting to realize that it's like childbirth: get far enough away from it and it doesn't seem so bad. But when it's fresh, it's the worst.

When they are like that, I use two collars. One hard and one soft...the soft on the inside. I have found that for these little ones, the hard collars don't stick out as much so the soft extends it....with the soft ones only they can figure a way to work around them.
It will be over quickly!
Glad the surgery went well..