The time has come...

[OurnewfDarwin]

...for Darwin to go to the vet. He will be 18 months on the 21st. I feel like it's time to get him neutered. Why did the call feel so final? This vet specializes in giant breeds, and is used by just about every newf owner in our area. She will tell us what is best for him. We can always decide NOT to do it if she thinks he still has growing to do. He has been at 130 lbs for the last 4 months, though. So I think he might be at his max weight. Maybe?

For an urban dog who needs dog parks to run free and get real exercise, I think it's time. He's been locked up, or on a leash for the last 4 months, with very limited indoor running, on concrete in our building's garage (at 5 am or 11 pm when no one is down there).

We have a 4:30 appt on Wednesday. Any idea how long it takes to do any testing required or anything else needed before they'll actually schedule it? It's a full-service animal hospital.

 

[Pipelineozzy]

It will just be bloodwork and a physical exam...if they do "in house" bloodwork..they will know right away. If they send out..probably the next day.
Don't worry, he'll be fine.

 

[Tula]

He'll be fine.....and you'll both be happier when he's able to get more exercise in parks

 

[R Taft]

It will give him Freeeedom ......None of my male dogs really seemed to notice much.
He'll be fine and probably much happier in the long run.......

 

[mtnzookeeper]

A bit off topic but I love your "Tea Time" avatar

 

[padkins]

:grouphug: I'm sure he will be fine and will enjoy the freedom! :grouphug:

 

[lilly06]

We had an x-ray done to make sure that the growth plates were closed.

 

[Capri]

I'm sure he'll be fine. Newfoundlands develop until up to about 4 (even 5) years, but by 18 months most of the growth should have already occurred. It's a good time to neuter as that'll just give him the much desired freedom that every dog needs .

 

[CMDRTED]

Darwin, Ricky here. It will be OK dude! You'll be Toutered, and when your done, you'll be super smart. I was and now I'm glad. Almost immediately I was smart. I was abble to figure this out in no time flat (12 x 89375.4 = 1072504.8) just using my paws and my new toutered mind. You'll take a nappy, and wake up a little sore, but they'll give you something called Calvin Klines and some frozen peas, which are mighty comfy. You'll if you work it right, be able to milk the "Give me a cookie" guilt eyes really well for about a week. After that it looses it's effectiveness.

 

[OurnewfDarwin]

Darwin, Ricky here. It will be OK dude! You'll be Toutered, and when your done, you'll be super smart. I was and now I'm glad. Almost immediately I was smart. I was abble to figure this out in no time flat (12 x 89375.4 = 1072504.8) just using my paws and my new toutered mind. You'll take a nappy, and wake up a little sore, but they'll give you something called Calvin Klines and some frozen peas, which are mighty comfy. You'll if you work it right, be able to milk the "Give me a cookie" guilt eyes really well for about a week. After that it looses it's effectiveness.

Win!

 

[blphome]

Darwin & Family: Based on our experience getting Lewis neutered at 18 months, I've two suggestions. Get a comfy cone right away. They can eat with the cone, it's more comfortable and leaves fewer marks around the house. WE tried EVERYTHING and ultimately broke down and ordered on via overnight courier. If you plan ahead and order one a week or two before the procedure you wont pay the ridiculous overnight shipping fee we paid just to make everyone more comfortable.

Second this is sedation. We found that Lewis was very uncomfortable, wouldn't wear boxers to hold the frozen peas, and was generally more comfortable if he was sedated. We worked with the vet to get the dosage correct and while it killed us to have him doped up it was far better than having him crash around the house with the cone looking paniced.

Can't speak to Token's spaying as our breeder had it done before we picked her up.

In the end it all worked out but it was a long first couple of days.

Good luck!

Barry, Lewis and Token

 

[newfy]

Darwin will be Ok, Tiki had it done at the same age, did not wear a cone, & was up & around the same day when he came home, with him, you did not know that he even had anything done. He is starting to fill out more, & Darwin will too, till 3.5 years at least.

 

[new_2_newf]

Sulley was around 18 months old when he got done and was back to his normal self in a few days. I was a freak about everything and we got full blood panels done and the techs called me as soon as he was out of surgery and starting to wake up which helped a lot. I couldn't go get him, but I knew the worst was over. He spent most of his recovery with his head on her lap, but once I got him home he just wanted to be on his bed and to be left alone. that 'aloofness' lasted for a few days, and it was with everyone..me, the cats, and an unfortunate drool rag that fell off of the table and landed on him. Just make sure he has a nice, safe, quiet spot to recover that is away from your kids (as much as possible). Kids will be kids (they move, they talk, they play), and he might be a smite unpredictable for a few days after his surgery. Or he could be totally normal and ready to rock and roll and you'll be crating him to keep him quite so you can retain some sanity.

Sulley also hated his cones, we went with boxers since I took the time off work to be home with him for the first few days after his surgery.

kisses to your boy and keep us posted.