Well, Quigley had his annual, 5 year vet exam on the first week of June. All is well.
Around the first week of July, I was scratching his belly and I noticed one of his testicles was missing. Yikes!
Back to the vet and a sonogram indicated the left testicle had shrunk and retracted into his abdomen. Double yikes!
We did exploratory surgery immediately thereafter. The vet had to castrate him and send the testicles off for a biopsy.
So, 14 days in the hole. He must be immobilized while he heals and recoups from the surgery. This is a large order as he is a very active, working dog.
We did okay, I had to watch him like a hawk to ensure he didn't attack his stitches and incision. Fourteen very long days!
We purchased a blow-up collar. It actually worked pretty well. Better than the standard surgery recovery plastic super cone. He was already muzzle trained and also knew the command "no lick". He is a smart dog but required constant attention.
We made it. The biopsy on the left testicle came back as a very serious aggressive cancer. The right testicle came back malignant too, but not as serious and a different type.
The vet says it's a miracle that I caught it at its earliest stage. She thinks the prognosis is very, very good that it has been eradicated. We can pray!
Being in the AC for 14 days has handicapped him as far as returning to the field. Heat indexes are over 100° and it's a long slow process to re-acclimate to. Me also! We are getting there, one day at a time.
We never neuter our male working dogs. This will be my first experience with a male lacking his testosterone. They loose an aggressive edge and don't have as much drive. Still the same talented dog, but slower and more timid.
The story goes on.
Around the first week of July, I was scratching his belly and I noticed one of his testicles was missing. Yikes!
Back to the vet and a sonogram indicated the left testicle had shrunk and retracted into his abdomen. Double yikes!
We did exploratory surgery immediately thereafter. The vet had to castrate him and send the testicles off for a biopsy.
So, 14 days in the hole. He must be immobilized while he heals and recoups from the surgery. This is a large order as he is a very active, working dog.
We did okay, I had to watch him like a hawk to ensure he didn't attack his stitches and incision. Fourteen very long days!
We purchased a blow-up collar. It actually worked pretty well. Better than the standard surgery recovery plastic super cone. He was already muzzle trained and also knew the command "no lick". He is a smart dog but required constant attention.
We made it. The biopsy on the left testicle came back as a very serious aggressive cancer. The right testicle came back malignant too, but not as serious and a different type.
The vet says it's a miracle that I caught it at its earliest stage. She thinks the prognosis is very, very good that it has been eradicated. We can pray!
Being in the AC for 14 days has handicapped him as far as returning to the field. Heat indexes are over 100° and it's a long slow process to re-acclimate to. Me also! We are getting there, one day at a time.
We never neuter our male working dogs. This will be my first experience with a male lacking his testosterone. They loose an aggressive edge and don't have as much drive. Still the same talented dog, but slower and more timid.
The story goes on.
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