Snip-Snip

I brought Catcher to the vets today for his surgery. I must commend my vet office for being so caring and professional. I had taken the time prior to the appointment to address my concerns given Catcher's temperament. I was not sure how he would act with complete strangers, especially when put in a kennel with other dogs, and being under the influence of anesthesia. I had explained that I was not only concerned about making it pleasant for him, but I did not want to put any of them in harm's way. I asked that I be able to stay with him while they sedated him and that no one touch him or try to take him outside once he was awake.

They honored my request and even let me stay until the catheter was in place and he was asleep. Then they performed his surgery first and called me as soon as he was able to stand. I brought in a urine sample as well as had them run another chem profile. Below are the results and details from the surgery:

Weight: 43.2 pounds

Urinalysis:
All normal/negative
pH 6.0
SG 1.040

Chem Profile:
All within normal limits

Sedation:
Superbag 1.9cc SQ
Ket/Val (1.0 cc each)

Catcher was groggy but happy to be home. He came through surgery well and is on Rimadyl for a few days.

Pre-Surg Work-up

Catcher had his pre-surg exam today. Everything was within normal limits. We ran a Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasmosis test, all came back Negative. I also had them draw blood for a CBC and Chem Profile.

Blood work results:

Everything was within normal limits except the following:
MCHC High - 38.1 (30.0-37.5)
CRE High - 1.5 (0.3-1.4)
GLOB Low - 2.2 (2.3-5.2)

Will run urinalysis and chem profile before surgery day of. Neuter is scheduled for 2/29/08.

Decisions to be Made

I have not taken the decision to neuter Catcher lightly. However, due to his temperament and the increasing issues he is having getting along with his brothers I feel it is necessary and the correct choice. He will never, and should never, be bred. While I feel it is important to keep dogs in tact for growth and development purposes he is now 18 months old and I think it is the appropriate time for him to have the surgery. He is scheduled for pre-op bloodwork and physical exam on February 9.