Merlin again
- Thread starter MellowYellow
- Start date
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Yes, you can. Good news that he is so much better xx
- Location
- SW London UK
He looks a lot happier! Hope the swimming helps with his leg/hip.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Yay! 
Excellent! Those eyes…!
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Excellent news! He is looking gorgeous on all his photos. It must be a huge relief that he is feeling so much better.
- Location
- East Sussex
That's good news.
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Great to hear!!Oh dear, poor Merly in the wars again, fairly serious this time...
We noticed he has been putting on weight since the summer, despite having the same amount of food and exercise and over the past few days he has been dripping urine every now and them. On reflection, it seemed to me that he has been less interested in female dogs than normal, and I suddenly thought that his testes were looking smaller than usual! Normally he has large, smooth, egg-like testicles (sorry!), now they look sort of shrunken and small... OH took him to the vets yesterday - he had gained 2kg!!!
But a urine test showed he does not have a bladder infection.
I took him in again this morning for an ultrasound. Poor lad has an enlarged prostrate, and both of his testes are smaller than they should be, one of them has some kind of little lumps or cysts showing in the ultrasound. In addition, his nipples are slightly swollen, so it seems that his testosterone levels have dropped and estrogen levels have risen.
I had already guessed what the advice would be - neutering. I and OH are both sad about this, but I would much rather go ahead and have him neutered, as this will prevent any further deterioration in the testes and also his prostrate should go back to its normal size afterwards. I have booked him in for 10 November, at 08:00 in the morning.
Feeling a bit blue, really, but hopeful this will sort out the problem. Oddly, of the four male labradors I have had in my life, he will be the third who has suffered prostrate issues - I understand it is very common in intact males. With Bones, it was treated by chipping him, which seemed to sort out the issue, but the vet says that this is not possible with Merlin, since his testes are not in a good state. She said this is not an emergency, but she really advised neutering him.
We noticed he has been putting on weight since the summer, despite having the same amount of food and exercise and over the past few days he has been dripping urine every now and them. On reflection, it seemed to me that he has been less interested in female dogs than normal, and I suddenly thought that his testes were looking smaller than usual! Normally he has large, smooth, egg-like testicles (sorry!), now they look sort of shrunken and small... OH took him to the vets yesterday - he had gained 2kg!!!
But a urine test showed he does not have a bladder infection.I took him in again this morning for an ultrasound. Poor lad has an enlarged prostrate, and both of his testes are smaller than they should be, one of them has some kind of little lumps or cysts showing in the ultrasound. In addition, his nipples are slightly swollen, so it seems that his testosterone levels have dropped and estrogen levels have risen.
I had already guessed what the advice would be - neutering. I and OH are both sad about this, but I would much rather go ahead and have him neutered, as this will prevent any further deterioration in the testes and also his prostrate should go back to its normal size afterwards. I have booked him in for 10 November, at 08:00 in the morning.
Feeling a bit blue, really, but hopeful this will sort out the problem. Oddly, of the four male labradors I have had in my life, he will be the third who has suffered prostrate issues - I understand it is very common in intact males. With Bones, it was treated by chipping him, which seemed to sort out the issue, but the vet says that this is not possible with Merlin, since his testes are not in a good state. She said this is not an emergency, but she really advised neutering him.
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- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh Karen , poor lad and you too as I know that you wouldnt have wanted to have Merlin castrated . But , if this will help his health, then its the best way to go, good luck Merlin xxx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I am afraid neutering is the only option (in my opinion) and will make Merlin so much happier.
I am sorry @MellowYellow , this is really upsetting - it sounds like the vet is fairly certain. I’d be similarly conflicted on the castration but if it’s the best route I guess there’s no decision to be made. Will he e comfortable in the interim, or is he on any meds?
I think he'll be comfortable - he actually seems fine, perhaps just a tad quieter than normal, but you really wouldn't notice unless (like me) you have eagle eyes on your dog all the time... If necessary I have Metacam to give him.
We could have done the op earlier, but I wanted it on a Friday so I can take the day off and then have the weekend home with him. The vet recommends a body suit rather than a cone - not heard of this before for male dogs, though Poppy had one when she was spayed.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Poor chap.
If it needs done, it needs done.
If it needs done, it needs done.
That is what happened to Rory and why he was castrated. He's really well now. He didn't have as many symptoms as Merlin. No enlarged nips. His urine is very much back to normal and he's bouncy as hell. He healed well and despite not wanting to castrate him I'm glad I did. It was about three years ago and his prostrate is a much more normal size now. Hope he's ok
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Aah so sorry @MellowYellow but good you have everything booked. @SwampDonkey ‘s post is very encouraging
but good you have everything booked. @SwampDonkey ‘s post is very encouragingOh that's helpful Sarah, thank you for reminding me about that!That is what happened to Rory and why he was castrated. He's really well now. He didn't have as many symptoms as Merlin. No enlarged nips. His urine is very much back to normal and he's bouncy as hell. He healed well and despite not wanting to castrate him I'm glad I did. It was about three years ago and his prostrate is a much more normal size now. Hope he's ok
