Your experiences of prostate issues/neutering older dogs

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casserolecollie

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We have a border collie/lab x, he is now 7 yrs old. He was rehomed to us at about 8 months having not been socialised at all - at the time we were advised by the rescue and the behaviourist we were working with not to neuter as he was so anxious with new people/places, and he's never been an issue with other dogs so we just kept him entire. He is much more confident now out and about, but after a very traumatic vet visit during Covid when we couldn't go in with him he is terrified of the vets, shaking, screaming, soiling etc. and no amount of 'popping in for a visit and a biscuit' has made any difference. He has his annual injections in the vet car park under duress.

Recently he's seemed a bit uncomfortable round his hind end and sometimes dribbles urine (but with no blood). We did a urine sample, that came back clear so the vet seems convinced it is enlarged prostate related and recommends neutering. She has tried to examine him rectally but it was impossible to hold him still, so she has given us some sedative gel so he can go back in to be examined and have an ultrasound of his prostate, she seems convinced this is what it is. Does anyone here have any experience with their dogs and prostate issues? I read that the main symptom is blood in urine or poo or straining to go, he is not showing those symptoms. I'm not at all against the idea of him being neutered I just don't see how I can put him through it at his age and with his extreme fear, surely it would be dangerous and cruel for him? The vets will only do the standard intake at 8am and pick up mid-afternoon - I'm worried this combined with the GA would finish him off with the stress levels? I know this seems melodramatic, but he really does totally lose the plot. Any experiences or advice would be most welcome, thank you.
 
Our old lab had an enlarged prostate. He had a course of tablets. One a day for 7 days.
We were told it may return 6 months later. It didn’t but it did return at one point.
We thought/ discussed castrating at that point but were nervous as he had a bad reaction, or a difficult coming around from GA
So he had another course of the tablets and had again been fine since.
He’s 12 and not in the very best health so we have decided to just use the medication as as and when (if) it’s required again.
 
An ultrasound scan would be the first port of call, they can do that under sedation if he is too stressed to do it conscious.
Ypozane is a drug that helps shrink the prostate. You could also try chemical castration (suprelorin implant) to see if it helps, if it does....then it's a good indication that castration will fix the problem.
7 is not very old at all in terms of dogs under-going anaesthesia. If you are worried about him stressing then ask for gabapentin/trazadone tablets to give at home prior to coming to the vets.

Most admits at the vets for procedures will be early and they will be required to stay in a kennel. But maybe ask that he is done early if possible (not always due to emergencies etc) and that when he is done that they call you as soon as possible to collect him. Vet clinics are very used to dealing with stressed animals so I am sure they will try to get him home earlier if they can.
 
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