Major anxiety about neutering

[Krystee]

This is kinda embarrassing but I have mentioned on here that I almost lost my life in a bad car accident and my best friend did in 2002. Over the years I have developed PTSD... It's strange, I was okay in the first couple of years and it got progressively worse. Awhile back I went to counseling for it and it was helping but my insurance would only cover so many sessions and when I had to stop it came right back. Basically, my PTSD always expects the worse to happen.

My husband is going to be receiving some money on the 1st and the plan was to get Tobie neutered then. However, every time I think about making the appointment I start feeling major anxiety and imagine them calling me and telling me that something bad happened. I want to get him neutered for health reasons and because he will never be bred. I would have a hard time dealing with him dying for something he didn't HAVE to have done.

Both of my other boys were neutered before I got them and my girl got pyometra (sp?) so her spay was to save her life... yea, I was really nervous but she was 15 years old at the time and I was already coming to terms with the fact that my time was getting limited with her.

I love YT, it has helped me so much and made me feel better in a lot of instantances but the bad stories about anesthesia has made me paranoid. That's just how PTSD works, once you hear a bad story that gets ingrained in your head and you constantly worry about it. For example, one of the stories that someone's baby was excited and running through the house and wasn't watching where she was going... she ran into a wall and died instantly. I wish I had never read that thread because now I get so paranoid when Tobie gets the zoomies and I imagine that happening.

I went back and forth on whether to talk about this because like I said, it's kind of embarrassing to admit. If anyone else has suffered from PTSD or panic/anxiety attacks... you know it's horrible.

Can anyone help talk some sense in to me to help me get through this. What are the actual chances of something happening? Is it anesthesia deaths actually kinda rare? I know there are differing opinions on S/Ning but for those of you who are for it... do you have any advice for me? Sometimes it helps if people point out the rational way or thinking instead of my sometimes irrational/worried way of thinking.... thanks guys

[Zeus08]

No worries. Easier said than done I know. Your baby Tobie will be just fine. Your vet will do blood work and give a full exam prior to neutering him. This is to make sure your Yorkie is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.

I too was worried to some degree about Zeus. When I went to pick him up the vet said to make sure he didn't run around for about a week. When we got home I took him out of his carrier and he bolted out running and nearly gave me a heart attack. He was fine and had a quick recovery and I believe Tobie will too.

Best wishes!

[bchgirl]

Having a FULL blood panel completed a few days before the surgery will help ease your mind. It won't take all the worry away....cause we all do that...but it's a great comfort.

[Sweet Apple]

Well, look at it this way...Statistically he's got waaaaaaaaaaay more chance of a good outcome than a negative one, so try to focus on that (the positive)..If it is too overwhelming, at this point in your life, why not wait 'till you're at a better place? Unless you're worried about him breeding another one of your dogs, that isn't spayed, what's the hurry? Also, a little bit of unsolicited advice...Get some Carlson's Brand Fish Oil, (liquid)and start taking 1 teaspoon once or twice a day (at least once), and I PROMISE you, you will get you PTSD under much better control than any meds you can take....Been there, done that...It's totally amazing!!!! Hugs......

[tjdmom]

Do you ever talk to God about this? I firmly believe that he can help you with this. I think if you can put your faith in him and let things go that it will make things easier for you. We don't know what is going to happen and there are no guarantees in life. I could tell you that only 1 in a million has anything happen during this surgery but if you are the 1 then it doesn't really matter, does it? If you think that this is the right thing to do (and I think it is) then just let go and give it to God to worry about.

[yorkie_mama22]

I am not sure what PTSD stands for, sorry I may be totally clueless but I can feel with you with the anixety! I get major anixety and it was really bad last year in Sept/Oct. It subsided alot and again I start having some bad attacks after Stormy passed. It is very scarey and I can totally relate with you about worrying about the worst happening because I am always worrying too. I make big deals out of small things often and I can't help it. Talking about your feelings helps me alot but I do isolate myself a bit sometimes. If you ever need to talk please feel free to PM me I will gladly listen!

I agree to do pre op blood work and hopefully that will ease a bit of the worrying.

[Patti]

I understand your fears. I have a panic disorder and by nature a worrier. I am a wreck until I know my babies have come through surgery. This is what I do, I schedule it as close to as I can so I don't have weeks to stress, I have the pre surgery blood work and the vet knows how I am so they do mine first and call me as soon as she is out of surgery. And I pray a lot. I will keep you both in my prayers.

[hillies]

I'm in school to be a mental health counselor...and I know that doesn't speak much to my personal experience, but there's a few things that might help.

Like the others said, schedule it as short a distance out as possible--you don't want to build up all the negative thoughts over a period of a week or so. Also, during that time, find things to do to stay busy, this is especially important on the day of the surgery. Take your dog in for the first morning appointment so hopefully you can get him back the same day. While he's there, do anything you can to stay busy...go to lunch with a friend, do your grocery shopping, clean the house, take your car for a wash, read, watch a movie, go to work...do whatever it is that is mentally absorbing for you. Also, when negative thoughts do pop into your head, think about all the pros of having him neutered--that you'll have a longer time to enjoy his life with you, and probably will have fewer health problems to deal with. So, a little stressing during his surgery now will save you frustration, anxiety, stress, and money in the future. Do your best to stay positive--if nothing else, call someone you trust and talk to them, it always helps to have someone there for you So so sooo many dogs go through these procedures, and as long as you talk to your vet about their experience and expectations for your dog, there's no reason to think anything negative will come of it.

[Krystee]

Thank you guys sooooo much I already feel a little better with all the good advice I'm definitely going to get the blood panel done and I'm going to try the fish oil... I'm willing to try anything (well, within healthy means) that would help my anxiety and it definitely couldn't hurt .

Hillies- I can tell you are going to be a great mental health counselor. The idea of thinking about all the positives really clicked with me, even though it sounds like such a simple thing.

I'm going to use all of the tips and do a lot of praying. I feel like I can call to make the appointments now. The day of the surgery might be a different story but I also now I have YT to help me get through it.

Plus, I do really trust my vet. They did my Rat Terriers pyometra surgery. She is 15 years old and was sick and she came through like a champ. They also handled everything with her so good so I need to keep that in my thoughts as well.

Yorkie-mama22- PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. Basically what many people get after a traumatic event. Thank you for the offer, there are many times that I could use someone to talk to that understands what the anxiety is like.

You guys are the best and I'm so glad that I got this out. I think even just the talking about it and people understanding helps a bit

[Krystee]

Originally Posted by hillies

I'm in school to be a mental health counselor...and I know that doesn't speak much to my personal experience, but there's a few things that might help.

Like the others said, schedule it as short a distance out as possible--you don't want to build up all the negative thoughts over a period of a week or so. Also, during that time, find things to do to stay busy, this is especially important on the day of the surgery. Take your dog in for the first morning appointment so hopefully you can get him back the same day. While he's there, do anything you can to stay busy...go to lunch with a friend, do your grocery shopping, clean the house, take your car for a wash, read, watch a movie, go to work...do whatever it is that is mentally absorbing for you. Also, when negative thoughts do pop into your head, think about all the pros of having him neutered--that you'll have a longer time to enjoy his life with you, and probably will have fewer health problems to deal with. So, a little stressing during his surgery now will save you frustration, anxiety, stress, and money in the future. Do your best to stay positive--if nothing else, call someone you trust and talk to them, it always helps to have someone there for you So so sooo many dogs go through these procedures, and as long as you talk to your vet about their experience and expectations for your dog, there's no reason to think anything negative will come of it.

Just wanted to add that I just read your post to my husband and as soon as I finished, he said, "Wow, they are going to be a great counselor". Thanks again for your help

[kjc]

General Info:

Neutering males = small incision through the sac, each testicle is pulled out, tied off, and removed. Then the sac is stitched or glued. Done. Actual surgery lasts 2 - 5 minutes. Outpatient surgery: normally goes home same day.
If male is cryptorchid, see below if undescended testicle is in the abdomen.

Spaying females = major abdominal surgery. Incision through the abdomen,to access the abdominal cavity, ovaries and uterus are found, tied off, and removed. Animal is closed usually with stitches and/or staples and kept overnight. Actual surgery (not including prep and recovery) is 30 - 45 minutes or more.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

just wanted to say that Hot Rod came thru his neuter like a champ. Your baby will be fine. You've gotten a lot of good advice, hugs to you.

[hillies]

Aww thank you! I hope so, because if I'm bad at it, I don't know how I'll ever pay back all those student loans!!!

My girl just got spayed a few weeks ago, which is a much more invasive thing (I can't even imagine having a hysterectomy and coming home the same day...let alone walking...!) and she did fine other than being "drunky" when she came home...but that was actually kinda funny. It was a long day for me but I just kept busy, went out to lunch with my fiance, did some retail therapy too Best of luck!

[mjharpst]

Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22

I am not sure what PTSD stands for...

It stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

[mjharpst]

I was a wreck about getting Ryder fixed but it went so well. We have a great vet who we trust, and it was done laser. He recovered so fast, when I picked him up he was just a lil sleepy and happy as ever! Good luck- it is stressful, maybe you could take the day off and sit and wait for him to be finished, that way you arent worried about the phone call, and you can get regular updates- I know several people who have worked themselves up so much that this is what they did. Good luck!