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  1. #1
    Puppy Abigails mom's Avatar
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    Re: Recessed/Inverted Vulva

    Thank you! This seems to be the only lab forum I could find addressing this problem.

    When I got my puppy, I noticed she has a slight RV. My vet didn't think it was a problem. I printed out information for the vet and dropped it off, so she could have a chance to look at it. Yesterday, she told me to spay Abigail before her first heat and if a problem showed up than the vulva surgery could be done. The vet said she hadn't done it but would be willing to or she could refer us to someone who had.

    The vet has also admitted to not being a fan of labs. Do I find a new vet or do I go with my instinct to wait for her first heat cycle and see what happens? Through reading everything on here and various links I am: keeping the hair trimmed, feeding a cranberry supplement and wiping with a baby wipe to prevent any infections. I don't want Abigail to end up on antibiotics on and off throughout her life for this.

    Thanks
    Tami

    Open for suggestions.

  2. #2
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    Welcome! I think I'd be finding a new vet.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to barry581 For This Useful Post:

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    I would look for a second opinion.

    The fact that you had to research for her and give her reference material is a red flag.


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  6. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    The repair surgery is not something to be undertaken lightly. Since there's a way to see if the situation resolves by allowing her to go through a heat cycle, I'd certainly give that a chance rather than say, oh yeah, let's just go ahead with the spay and hope for the best. If you recognized the condition yourself, I'd say you already know more than many vets seem to about the condition. Many breeders are recommending waiting to spay and neuter their pups at later ages anyway. My female didn't have RV but the breeder suggested I wait until she was 18-24 months old, which meant she went through one heat cycle. If you're comfortable with having your little girl go through a heat cycle, I'd do that, personally. If the vet isn't on board with that, find someone else. The vet's recommendation to go forward with the spay in the face of literature that suggests waiting to see if the RV corrects after a heat cycle or 2 is the way to go coupled with her apparent lack of enthusiasm for labs would make me look for another vet anyway.

    You might read some of the studies in the health section thread about pros and cons of spay & neuter also where some of the other benefits of waiting to spay or neuter are also discussed.

    Neuter/Spay - Pros, Cons, Risks, Benefits - Research Article Links

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  8. #5
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    We need our member Patty to comment here. Gee, Patty hasn't been on in so long I've forgotten her board name, but she has lots of information on RV and why waiting till AFTER the first heat (at least) may allow it to self correct. I think some here communicate privately with her, maybe can contact her to post?
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  10. #6
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Most of Patty's posts that I've been able to find say to contact her through her main webpage or by phone. I looked to see if she'd updated that site lately and it says she's expecting a litter later this summer, so hopefully the contact info is still good.

    Recessed/Inverted/Hooded Vulvas and Chronic Infections Tails Blog

    Snowco Labrador Retrievers

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  12. #7
    Best Friend Retriever Sue's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    We need our member Patty to comment here. Gee, Patty hasn't been on in so long I've forgotten her board name, but she has lots of information on RV and why waiting till AFTER the first heat (at least) may allow it to self correct. I think some here communicate privately with her, maybe can contact her to post?
    Sent her a PM on facebook. Hopefully she'll chime in on this.
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  14. #8
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I would find a new vet. Seriously? Spay her now, and if we need to, we'll do another surgery. WHAT??????????????? Enough said.

    Let the dog go through one heat, it's not that hard to manage.

    I've seen a dog after a vulvaplasty...it's nasty looking. HORRIBLE!! You don't want to put your dog through that if you don't have to.

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  16. #9
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    I think it's weird that a vet would so casually suggest to just do corrective surgery later - it's like a doctor telling a patient to not worry about eating right / exercising because they can just do a triple bypass in a year.

    My girl had an inverted vulva as a pup and it corrected itself after the first heat cycle. The heat cycle isn't that difficult to manage - it's over in like a month-ish and there are so many helpful guides and posts on this board for getting through it. Seems silly to potentially do 2 surgeries (spay + corrective) when 1 postponed surgery (the spay after 1-2 heat cycles) could answer all of your problems.

    And yes, find a new vet. If your vet doesn't like labs, find someone who does. I could not imagine trusting someone for care who admits to not liking my dog.

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  18. #10
    Puppy Abigails mom's Avatar
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    You guys confirmed what I was thinking. I went and interviewed a new vet yesterday. The new appointment is Monday, so we wait.

    I have read the blog Patty wrote along with going to most if not all the links I could find. Feeling pretty confident with my research and decisions. I am a caregiver for my husband, so Abigail is already watched pretty well. She goes on leash to the fenced back yard currently, plus I go outside with the "crew". So not even worried about the heat cycle.

    Any thoughts on vets recommended by AKC?

 



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