| Posted By |
Message |
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
|
Please help - spay question
I am aggravated so bear with me.
DH took our dog to the vet today. They were supposed to check to see if she's been spayed. They said they could not tell - but most likely she's not.
Our options as presented to us are:
- Estrogen test (very expensive)
- Schedule her to be spayed and then if they open her up and she is already spayed, the cost is the same as it would be to have her spayed.
(Estrogen test is comparable in price to a spay)
Obviously I don't want to subject the dog to unnecessary surgery - but if we opt for the estrogen test and she isn't spayed, then we are paying double the cost.
Can anyone tell me if there is ANY other way to tell if a dog has been spayed? I find it so hard to believe that these are our only two options. 
|
Posted 7/26/10 3:18 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
greenfreak
.
Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
|
Re: Please help - spay question
How long has she been up for adoption? Has she shown signs of going into heat during that time?
If she was among trusted people for a while without showing signs of going into heat, I would probably go for the estrogen test first. Or at least get a 2nd opinion on how to tell.
I know how pricey it can be... We spent about a thousand dollars on Brinkley in his first year with us and that was just for unexpected things. They're expensive little furkids. 
Message edited 7/26/2010 3:40:47 PM.
|
| Posted 7/26/10 3:40 PM |
| |
|
Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: Please help - spay question
As expensive as the estrogen test might be, it's in the dog's best interest to NOT go through surgery that might be for no reason, kwim? Things do go wrong in surgery and I would not take that chance. Another poster on here just recently took her male dog to get neutered and have an undescended testicle taken out and the vet made a mistake and cut the dog's urethra. That dog has been put through so much b/c of an error during surgery. So I would never put my dog through any unneccessary surgery. I would bite the bullet and just pay for the estrogen test and if she still needs to be spayed, then it is what it is. It's all in her best interest for being a healthy dog who isn't put through anything that she doesn't need to be put through.
Unfortunately with pet ownership many things do come up that will be very very costly. This is just the start and hopefully the last for a long time.
Message edited 7/26/2010 5:06:52 PM.
|
| Posted 7/26/10 5:03 PM |
| |
|
Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
|
Re: Please help - spay question
How long have you had her? How old is she? Has she shown any signs of going into heat? Did whoever you got her from ever see any signs of her going into heat?
I would likely opt for the estrogen test to avoid unnecessary surgery, providing she has shown no signs of going into heat.
If it makes you feel any better about the vet bills, for the past couple of years, I have spent 5-figures per year on non-routine vet bills for my horses. The equine vet always makes the cats' vet look reasonably priced!  Still, no one likes to pay double.
ETA - There ARE good vets out there who are less expensive (especially for spay/neuter) is $$ is a concern. Check out the medical clinic at NSAL. You might even be able to get the estrogen test there much cheaper than your regular vet.
Message edited 7/26/2010 6:21:33 PM.
|
| Posted 7/26/10 6:21 PM |
| |
|
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
|
Re: Please help - spay question
I realize that my post may seem as though I am just trying to save money. That is not the case. But since the spaying procedure actually removes a dog's uterus and ovaries, I was hoping there was another way to check to see if she had been spayed. Like maybe a sonogram? I don't know... I just feel like there should be an "easier" way. Thanks for your input ladies.
|
| Posted 7/26/10 9:47 PM |
| |
|
Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: Please help - spay question
Posted by headoverheels
I realize that my post may seem as though I am just trying to save money. That is not the case. But since the spaying procedure actually removes a dog's uterus and ovaries, I was hoping there was another way to check to see if she had been spayed. Like maybe a sonogram? I don't know... I just feel like there should be an "easier" way. Thanks for your input ladies.
True...I wonder why they can't do a sono?
|
| Posted 7/26/10 11:46 PM |
| |
|
LAMGAJ28
.
Member since 10/05 6039 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Please help - spay question
Posted by Goobster
Posted by headoverheels
I realize that my post may seem as though I am just trying to save money. That is not the case. But since the spaying procedure actually removes a dog's uterus and ovaries, I was hoping there was another way to check to see if she had been spayed. Like maybe a sonogram? I don't know... I just feel like there should be an "easier" way. Thanks for your input ladies.
True...I wonder why they can't do a sono?
Yes, they can do an ultrasound.
You can also check to see even though a little more difficult and look for that scar.
Here is something I found online for you. And I'd change Vets too.
How to Tell if a Female Dog has Been Spayed
Contributor
By Eleanor Jewell, eHow Contributing Writer
Tell if a Female Dog has Been Spayed
Spaying a female dog is part of responsible pet ownership, and has been a proven practice that not only controls the unwanted pet population, but also the health and well-being of your female dog. If you have recently adopted a female dog and are unsure as to whether or not she has been spayed, a visual assessment can usually confirm the situation.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Electric pet razor
Cotton balls
Rubbing alcohol
Step 1
Roll your dog over and rub her belly to make her feel comfortable. Sometimes dogs will find your efforts to poke around and examine them to be a bit of a nuisance, so lessening her anxiety will allow for a more thorough investigation.
Step 2
Check her abdomen area and look for a scar that runs vertically down her stomach. Since spays are performed by removing the uterus and ovaries, this is the logical location. The scar can be found anywhere between the base of her teats, to just above the top of the genital area.
Step 3
Shave her belly with an electric pet razor to remove hair that may inhibit the visibility of a spay scar. If your dog has an abundance of hair growth in the area that generally contains a spay scar, this method may make the scar more visible. But be careful while shaving because the skin in this area is very sensitive.
Step 4
Rub your dog’s abdomen with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. If you are not sure that what you are seeing is a spay scar, gently rubbing the area with a cotton ball containing rubbing alcohol can make the scar more pronounced, confirming its existence.
Step 5
Take your dog to the veterinarian for a definitive answer. Veterinarians can do a physical exam and an ultrasound to confirm whether your female dog has been spayed. In most cases, the ultrasound will be able to view the internal cavity of the abdomen area, which will show the missing uterus and ovaries.
|
| Posted 7/27/10 1:13 AM |
| |
|
METLove2008
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 541 total posts
Name:
Ellie
|
Re: Please help - spay question
My vet always said the easiest way is just to shave their belly and check for a scar. Most of the time (if they are already spayed) there will be a scar there.
I would try that before anything expensive 
|
| Posted 7/27/10 11:03 AM |
| |
|
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
|
Re: Please help - spay question
Posted by METLove2008
My vet always said the easiest way is just to shave their belly and check for a scar. Most of the time (if they are already spayed) there will be a scar there.
I would try that before anything expensive
We did that yesterday - the vet said she "wasn't sure."
She has a scar on her belly, the rescue thinks it was from road rash, so maybe that's why they can't tell?
I am going to call LIVS and see what they say. She has not gone into heat yet.
|
| Posted 7/27/10 12:26 PM |
| |
|
headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
|
Re: Please help - spay question
Posted by MrsFresca
Posted by Goobster
Posted by headoverheels
I realize that my post may seem as though I am just trying to save money. That is not the case. But since the spaying procedure actually removes a dog's uterus and ovaries, I was hoping there was another way to check to see if she had been spayed. Like maybe a sonogram? I don't know... I just feel like there should be an "easier" way. Thanks for your input ladies.
True...I wonder why they can't do a sono?
Yes, they can do an ultrasound.
You can also check to see even though a little more difficult and look for that scar.
Here is something I found online for you. And I'd change Vets too.
How to Tell if a Female Dog has Been Spayed
Contributor
By Eleanor Jewell, eHow Contributing Writer
Tell if a Female Dog has Been Spayed
Spaying a female dog is part of responsible pet ownership, and has been a proven practice that not only controls the unwanted pet population, but also the health and well-being of your female dog. If you have recently adopted a female dog and are unsure as to whether or not she has been spayed, a visual assessment can usually confirm the situation.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Electric pet razor
Cotton balls
Rubbing alcohol
Step 1
Roll your dog over and rub her belly to make her feel comfortable. Sometimes dogs will find your efforts to poke around and examine them to be a bit of a nuisance, so lessening her anxiety will allow for a more thorough investigation.
Step 2
Check her abdomen area and look for a scar that runs vertically down her stomach. Since spays are performed by removing the uterus and ovaries, this is the logical location. The scar can be found anywhere between the base of her teats, to just above the top of the genital area.
Step 3
Shave her belly with an electric pet razor to remove hair that may inhibit the visibility of a spay scar. If your dog has an abundance of hair growth in the area that generally contains a spay scar, this method may make the scar more visible. But be careful while shaving because the skin in this area is very sensitive.
Step 4
Rub your dog’s abdomen with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. If you are not sure that what you are seeing is a spay scar, gently rubbing the area with a cotton ball containing rubbing alcohol can make the scar more pronounced, confirming its existence.
Step 5
Take your dog to the veterinarian for a definitive answer. Veterinarians can do a physical exam and an ultrasound to confirm whether your female dog has been spayed. In most cases, the ultrasound will be able to view the internal cavity of the abdomen area, which will show the missing uterus and ovaries.
Thanks for the info!
|
| Posted 7/27/10 12:26 PM |
| |
|
Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
|
Re: Please help - spay question
Based on that new info, I do think it's time to switch vets....
It's true, I didn't even think to check for a scar. My female's scar runs vertically also...it's a few inches long and she's a tiny dog.
|
| Posted 7/27/10 10:11 PM |
| |
|
