Bear is being neutered today!

**kimlovescats** · 01-22-2008, 10:15 AM

As I stated earlier, I don't have much experience in the male dog neuter thing. I'm wondering if because he is bigger and older (not neutered as a pup) then maybe he required more sutures and it was a bit more complicated? I would love to take his collar off and watch him, because he is basically underfoot all the time anyway!

I just don't want him to think that he has been "bad" if I have to put it back on. He immediately started licking himself as soon as the tech brought him out to us. So, she immediately assumed he needed a collar. None of my male cats ever have sutures, just females for obvious reasons. Are stitches "normal" with all male dogs, even when they are neutered as little pups?

Sorry so many questions, but I've mostly always had girl doggies.

Kim

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 01-22-2008, 10:31 AM

Stitches are quite normal

**ChrisH** · 01-22-2008, 10:47 AM

Bob didn't do at all well after his op. I took the collar off because he just sat in the hall for hours, not moving, wouldn't take a treat (if you knew Bob and food ... well..) drink, or anything, but it turned out to be a real bad move. He licked and licked and licked and it swelled up like a football. Was told to bathe it with an antiseptic which wasn't very successful as he was so sore and wouldn't let me near. Like Bear, he didn't have any pain pills, but, after taking advice, I did give him half a paracetmol which seemed to help for a while. It did eventually go down and everything was ok, but what an ordeal.

Making it worse, for me, was during this time my dear boy bit me quite badly. Taking him out for a walk his lead got tangled around his back leg and as I went to untangle he got my hand. Poor boy must have been hurting so much to do that.

So, I guess my advice would be to leave the collar on.

p.s. He was two years old at the time.

**kimlovescats** · 01-22-2008, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisH

Bob didn't do at all well after his op. I took the collar off because he just sat in the hall for hours, not moving, wouldn't take a treat (if you knew Bob and food ... well..) drink, or anything, but it turned out to be a real bad move. He licked and licked and licked and it swelled up like a football. Was told to bathe it with an antiseptic which wasn't very successful as he was so sore and wouldn't let me near. Like Bear, he didn't have any pain pills, but, after taking advice, I did give him half a paracetmol which seemed to help for a while. It did eventually go down and everything was ok, but what an ordeal.

Making it worse, for me, was during this time my dear boy bit me quite badly. Taking him out for a walk his lead got tangled around his back leg and as I went to untangle he got my hand. Poor boy must have been hurting so much to do that.

So, I guess my advice would be to leave the collar on.

p.s. He was two years old at the time.

THANK YOU! I think I will at least leave in on a few more days and give it a chance to heal up and be less "red"! It's for his best to have the collar on, though he pouts and makes Mommy feel really awful!

**Freedom** · 01-22-2008, 11:00 AM

Chaplin was neutered in December, he had stitches; the dissolvable type. No ecollar or pain meds.

Call the vet and ask what dose aspirin to give him. Dogs can have aspirin, a little bit. Not cats.

**kimlovescats** · 01-22-2008, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Freedom

Chaplin was neutered in December, he had stitches; the dissolvable type. No ecollar or pain meds.

Call the vet and ask what dose aspirin to give him. Dogs can have aspirin, a little bit. Not cats.

These aren't the dissolvable sutures either. I have to take him back in 10 days to have them removed. I don't think I like this vet that this rescue uses!

**Kfamr** · 01-22-2008, 11:32 AM

I've seen a lot of cases where pain medications aren't given. Pain medications will make them feel as if they can run and romp around again, which they shouldn't be doing with sutures.

**kimlovescats** · 01-22-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Kfamr

I've seen a lot of cases where pain medications aren't given. Pain medications will make them feel as if they can run and romp around again, which they shouldn't be doing with sutures.

Aha! Never thought of it that way, although pain meds put me out for like a week!

That makes sense, thanks for the info, Kay!

**kallisto4529** · 01-23-2008, 12:58 AM

Awwww poor guy!!! Bless your heart I know you must be beside yourself, but he will be ok. Reilly had his done but his was done with a laser only had like two stiches and they disolved. Mousse when he was alive we had to have him fixed at about 9 yrs old and he had several stiches but he did not have to have a collar we just watched him very carefully. When Reilly had his done they did not give pain meds but they did say I could give him baby asprin or an adult asprin to help with any discomfort. They also had to give me a tranquilizer for him because where he had the laser it was like he never had any surgery, he was bouncing off the walls...lol
Bear sure hope you feel better buddy, have mom give you some lovin from me, and Reilly says it will get better, you won't even miss them...lol

**Pam** · 01-23-2008, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Kfamr

I've seen a lot of cases where pain medications aren't given. Pain medications will make them feel as if they can run and romp around again, which they shouldn't be doing with sutures.

Good point. That makes a lot of sense. I don't remember Ripley coming home with any pain meds either. Bear you look so pitiful. I hope your *snip* site heals real quick.

**molucass** · 01-23-2008, 10:25 AM

Our Chihuahua Deebo was neutered in November I think.. They gave him some pain meds before we left the vets office, but didn't send any home. He didn't have an ecollar on either.

He did really really well. I was suprised because he is usually a big wuss about everything.. You can look at him funny and he will whine.

I hope Bear starts feeling better soon!

**Rachel** · 01-23-2008, 10:58 AM

How's the Bear Man doing today? Sure hope the after effects of surgery have abated.

**kimlovescats** · 01-23-2008, 12:02 PM

Bear is doing great today! Perfectly normal except for his "conehead"!

He's been trying really hard to convince me that I should take it off now, but as long as he's tolerant, I will leave it another day or two. Of course, I might have to repaint all of my walls, especially down the hallway!

**cassiesmom** · 01-23-2008, 01:37 PM

Hang in there, sweet Bear. Please ask your mom to hug you for me. I cannot wait till you are all better and Betina snuggles on your tail again.

**cassiesmom** · 01-24-2008, 03:45 PM

Kim, how is Bear today? Did he get to have his collar taken off? Could you give him (AND Henna, CoCo, AnnaBelle, Dottie, Betina and Gretta) some petting for me... But he's just the cutest Bear around!