9 month old lab

[Worried024]

We are going to get my 9 month old Lab (Diezel) fixed soon.  I have a personal question, I guess you could say.  He is a boy and do they remove the whole "package" per say.  I mean the testicles.  Do they take them off or what.  My vet is an old man, close to retirement, I feel akward asking him.")

[ginger899]

You certainly would laugh if you saw them at it! They have held up traffic before now! (One huge great scruffy farm Collie with a pretty ladylike clean little flibbertigibbet!)
Good luck to your Diezel. You'll be doing a good thing for him, I'm sure.

[Worried024]

Thanks for that info.  I am still laughing about the dog with his girlie in season.  My Diezel does suffer from the "nervous restlessness".  More so lately.  We are hoping for the calming effect also.  He is alot of fun.  Always willing to take a walk, play with the girls, and snuggle up in MY favorite blanket.:)

[Worried024]

You are right.  I should feel comfortable with my vet.  After all, I hand him a bag of poop and dont even think about it.  I appreciate your advice and will make an effort to talk to my vet about the procedure. He is great with my dog.

[ginger899]

Yes they do. But don't you worry about that. He doesn't have the sentimental attachment to them you think he has. I'll tell you another thing....he may very well still be able to have sex afterwards! (Would you believe that?!) I know a neutered dog who does it happily, with a girlie in season!
Serious now, having him neutered is a brilliant idea. It will protect him against prostate cancer in later life. And believe me, this is common in entire males. It will also relieve him of that terrible nervous restlessness which can get to entire males, and calm him down if he suffers from that.

[Jaybay]

On my dogs, the scrotum (outer sac) was opened and the testicles removed.  The sac is sutured and shrinks over time.  It's pretty simple.  Dogs are actually lucky as far as castration is concerned.  Livestock animals like pigs, calves and lambs don't even have the benefit of anesthesia.

I'm curious as to why you are reluctant to discuss this procedure with your vet?  Is it his age or that he's a man that brings on the awkwardness?  Believe me, I have asked our vet - a man - FAR more embarrassing questions than this one!  

It's essential for both your dog and you as his owner to feel comfortable discussing any health issue.  I encourage you to do your best to overcome any embarrassment and recognize this as a medical discussion rather than a sexual discussion.