Patch is special

Walking but still drunk after
the surgery today.

Patch is crashing in a crate downstairs
until he's able to do the stairs again.

Everyone who meets him says that Patch is special.  Today we found out just how special he/she is.  (Cue Lou Reed music here.)

We had known that Patch was cryptorchid.  That's a condition, not too uncommon, where there is an undescended testicle retained inside the body.  His low hanging scrotum only held one lonely testicle so we knew the neuter surgery would be more involved than usual because they would have to go inside to find the other.

The supposition was that the retained testicle was producing an overabundance of estrogen rather than testosterone because, being inside the body, it was being maintained at a higher temperature.  That would explain the large nipples on this male dog and the mixed up hormones were thought to be causing his skin condition as well.  At least that's what we were hoping.

We moved a crate downstairs to make Patch feel secure and
comfortable until he's able to climb stairs again.  He really doesn't
need a crate anyway, I've been leaving it open up in the office.

They did an ultrasound before the surgery but were unable to locate the retained testicle.  He was in surgery for over two hours, had multiple incisions, and the missing testicle was nowhere to be found.  What they found instead was what appeared to be a partially developed uterus.  The vet said it looked like a cat's uterus.  They decided, wisely I think, to leave well enough alone and they closed him or her back up.  It seems that Patch may be inter-sexed, a hermaphrodite as it were.

He's gaining weight, she's growing hair, and his or her skin is improving.  As long as that continues, that's all that matters.  Patch is still quite lovable.

A rare, almost still moment.

Even when her head was
still the back end was
still moving.

I took Chloe and Anna along when I went in to pick up Patch.  Chloe just had a quick recheck on her eye and it looks fine, although the vet wants her to wear the cone for a few more days.  She's really pretty cool about it so we will just leave it on for now.  Anna had her initial exam and vaccines.  I set up a spay appointment for her for next Tuesday.  Chloe needs to lose 10 pounds and Anna needs to gain 10 pounds.  I wish they could just trade, but if that were possible I would have given Anna 10 or 15 pounds myself, and another 10 for Patch.

Anna finally laid down by the door as we were discussing Patch.