Castrating a Dog - What to expect?

[3Beasties]

Sorry for what probably seem like stupid questions, it has been so long since we've had one done that I would just like a bit of a heads up on what to expect!

Obviously I will speak to the vet in more detail when I book him in but for now I am just trying to figure out the best time for getting the deed done!

Dog in question is 8 years old. Very large, 40kg lab! He currently spends on average 5 hours a day out and about with me doing the horses so has a fairly active life style.

I'm guessing he'll need starving overnight to be dropped off at the vets in the morning and then all being well collected later that day....but then what?

Do they need to take it easy for a while? How long will he need limited exercise for?

Is he likely to be grumpy after having it done? (I have a 6 and 15 year old coming to stay with me for 10 days over Easter - he LOVES kids but am I better waiting till after they have gone home?)

We have a new puppy arriving at the beginning of May - Again, is this a concern if he has not long been done?

Any thoughts or advice appreciated! I'm just wanting to make it as stress free as possible for him and me and allow him to recover as quickly as possible so need to consider everything that we have got going on over the next 8 weeks!

Here's a piccy of the boy in question -

 

[Cahill]

the vets will give you a sheet with all the info on,i would leave it until after the visitors have departed. I was able to plan and be off work so could keep an eye on mine. he had to wear a cone I could take it off in the day while I was there to watch him and make sure he did not chew the wound but I popped it on at night. short lead walks for a week to 10 days after,then a final check-up at the vets.

I must say what a super looking boy he is. xx

edited to say-the only grump he had was the cone lol

 

[cbmcts]

Yes, he'll need starving from about 8pm the night before

Mine aren't usually sore or grumpy afterwards, dopey from the GA but the biggest problem has always trying to keep them quiet in the following days. Vet advice has always been lead walks for 7 - 10 days but I've never had a dog as old as 8yo done so there may be extra conditions taking into account his age. Be aware that he may have to wear a neck cone to stop him bothering the stitches so visitors of whatever age could end up with bashed legs or maybe that's just in my house???

I wouldn't say that the new pup will be a problem until she could come into season, 6 months old or so but it's probably fairer to have him done before the psycho puppy who'll want to play arrives - he can recuperate in peace then

He is beautiful, what a fantastic glossy coat.

 

[3Beasties]

Thank you both, that's really useful So might be best to wait till after kids have left and then get him done before pup arrives so that he's not still wearing the cone and can still play and things

Forgot to say I only work part time and sis works shifts so we can be around to make sure he's OK after it's been done!

 

[Cahill]

my rottie boy was 4 when I had him done ,all went smoothly with no probs.

 

[{97702}]

My boy was 5 1/2 when he was done - an ex-racing greyhound just out of training - his main concern was the 18 teeth he also had out that day, the castration was irrelevant for him Stitches out without anaesthetic 10 days later, he didn't blink an eyelid, wasn't bothered at all about the castration TBH xx

 

[Scarlett]

Great to hear about older dogs being done - ours is 5 and never done, we keep thinking about it but I'm incredibly worried about something going wrong!

 

[Spreebok]

Our Lab was done at 11 years after a flare up of prostate problems (Suddenly peeing blood and the like), and apart from keeping him quiet, making sure he wasn't worrying his stitches and gentle walks, it was no trouble at all!

 

[twiggy2]

castration is a fairly minor op, most vets would recommend pre op bloods in a dog his age just to rule out anything that may make the GA a slightly higher risk, depending on the dog he needs to be on lead until the stitches are out but if he just mooches around the yard then that should be fine. lots of vets do a 2 day after surgery check just to make sure things are settling ok at the wound site. if he does need to be kept on lead then after a couple of days you can walk him for as long as you like, it is jumping about and running full tilt you need to stop him doing.
would be sensible to do him after your visitors have gone.

he is very handsome