A Sad Story - Mr. Bruce you are missed.

R.I.P Mr. Bruce

Dear Reader and fellow dog lover,

Recently a customer of mine lost his 8 month old English Bulldog named Bruce. Mr. Bruce went in for what we all think of as a minor surgery known as neutering, however, as with any surgery complications may arise.

Bruce had only one testicle drop by his 8 months of age and the Veterinarian for some reason decided to continue with surgery even at such a young age. Bruce lived in a condominium as an ‘only’ dog and most definitely could have waited for the surgery, however, the Veterinarian decided to go ahead with the surgery anyway. During the surgery this Veterinarian opened Bruce’s abdomen in an attempt to find the other testicle that had not yet dropped as the ultrasound did not produce the location of the testicle. This Veterinarian explained that the testicle if not removed could develop into cancer, all the more reason to wait and see if it would drop on its own.

Apparently, while searching around for the other testicle damage was done to one or more organs in Mr. Bruce. The Veterinarian closed him up and sent him home with antibiotics and pain killers. Unfortunately, Mr. Bruce succumbed to his injuries from the surgery three or four long days later after suffering a great deal of pain and having little or no sleep (due to the pain and not being able to lie down) and two additional trips to the Veterinarian. The third and final trip was to a Veterinarian Emergency Clinic where they attempted to operate and repair the problems only to have little Bruce die on the operating table. :-(

A very sad story and those of us who were touched by knowing Bruce we are really missing him.

I can’t help but think that this ‘butcher Veterinarian’ is in the business not for his love of animals but for his love of money, either that or he is not properly trained or skilled in surgery.

I have heard many differing opinions as to when to neuter and spay your pets, however, most of the information coming at us is from radical animal activists with strong opinions on things of which they have no formal training or science to back up. There is no exact number of days that your pet must be neutered or spayed by, there are certainly times when a female should not be spayed such as during her heat or during a false pregnancy when her hormones are off balance.

I am not a trained professional in Veterinary science but I do have common sense advice to give. If there is any obvious chance of a complication during a procedure such as in Mr. Bruce’s case where one of his testicles had not yet dropped ALWAYS seek a second opinion from an unrelated Veterinarian. There is no hurry or exact month and day after being born that your best buddy must be neutered or spayed by, despite what the activist may say. Spend a little extra money on a consultation with a second professional to explore your options, don’t be misled or bullied into a surgery that might just take your friend away from you forever.

R.I.P. Mr. Bruce you are missed.

John Peat
Hogtown Dogtown

Cherry Beach January 19, 2012

The weather out there was frightful today, Emma, Parker, Hixon and I braved the beach despite the winds, snow, sleet and frigged temperatures.

The beach was "packed" at noon, the waves were huge due to the south westerly winds and the blinding snow but the dogs didn't seem to mind at all. The only difference I saw in them today was they all did their bathroom duties near the entrance and all at the same time. Great stuff, fast and easy to pick up and then I could put my gloves back on.

We did a full 55 minutes today, which surprised me, but the time flew by as there were so many dogs and walkers down there to play and talk with. We normally walk along the waters edge to the eastern gap and then back along through the trees to the parking lot, but the dogs were having none of that today. We stayed in the trees and only managed to walk to and from the gap once before Mr. Parker decided he had had enough and led us back to the car.

John Peat
Hogtown Dogtown