We have an 8 month old mixed breed female we adopted from the Humane Society at six weeks. HS wouldn't allow us to take pup home until [U]their[U] vet spayed her. We were assured that there were no adverse affects to such an early spaying.

Now we finally realized that her constant licking of the genital area and quarter-sized 'leaks' on the carpet were the signs of a Urinary Tract Infection. We took her to our own vet a couple of weeks ago and after finding blood in the urine we had her on antibiotics for 10 days. After taking dog back for follow-up, we were told that she would need another course of antibiotics as the UTI hadn't cleared up.

We were also told that her infection stems from an 'inverted vulva' causing bladder pressure to build up until the urine leaks out involuntarily. All that genital licking was our poor dogs' attempt to avoid urinating indoors, while waiting for we oblivious humans to decide that maybe she should go outside for awhile.

Now I've been told that the vet wants to continue to treat the dog for six months to see if that clears up the infection, followed by regular checks to see if the UTI has reappeared. I've also been told that a simple visual exam proves an inverted vulva, which is almost certainly causing the infection.

IF the infection remains, the vet wants to do a series of X-rays to determine if there is a 'pocket' or 'sac' of infection within the bladder that would need to be drained by needle, or if the infection is a more common case of inverted vulva.

The vet does not want to discuss surgery to relieve the vulvar pressure until we've treated the dog in other ways for six to 12 months. She also says that early spaying has no bearing on vulvar development; unlike what I've read on the internet.

I need to know, are we throwing good money after bad? Will the dog ever be free of infection? Is it common to wait so long after diagnosis to give the dog corrective surgery? Does the surgery work? We're hard up for money, and this dog is costing + $50/week in vet bills. We don't know what the X-rays will cost, or the surgery, and we were told by one of the vet techs that no one will adopt a dog with these problems, and the Humane Society will euthanize her immediately if we turn her back in to them. I feel like we're being held hostage emotionally by this; and I'm getting the distinct impression at the vets that being worried about the costs and the future health problems our dog may experience is reflecting badly on me as a pet owner.

At wits end, (and pretty darned broke, too)

~~ Shelly ~~

Shelly I can not give medical advice but I can give other ideas that may be helpful. Maybe you could talk to the humane society, where you adopted the dog, I would call, write, or go see the manager of it. If necessary I would drop a letter to the president of it, and see if maybe there were funds set aside to help out in such cases. You could also try and write letters or call various rescue groups, they may help you out as well. If she looks like a particular breed try one of those rescue groups as well. Look into pet insurance if possible. Sometimes in my area stores... maybe pet stores or mom and pop stores, pizza joints, bars will let people set donations jars out at the cash registers with a picture and a small article attached to it explaining the need. I hope I have helped you and you are a good person for adopting a stray animal.

We have so many dogs needing homes, I hate to see good people that adopt one put through such a wringer. It could be antibiotics and maybe diet will control the problem. I can't say much more than to work with your vet.

We had a vet on this site recently, but he quit for lack of respect.

invisible, I am sorry you and your little girl are going through this. You are a good hearted person for adopting her. This may be an inherent defect as the vet suggests. I think bushg has a good idea to speak with the human society you adopted her from. Tell them what has been occurring, show them all the bills, and that you are strapped for cash. Also tell them that you want to keep her but you don't know where to turn if she requires surgery. Ask them what their procedure is when this occurs to one of their adopted pets. If they tell you nothing, then tell them that you would like them to consider having their vet examine and x-ray the dog and if it is an inverted vulva, ask them to help you with the cost of surgery. You have nothing to lose by approaching them, being nice about it, yet placing the problem back in their laps. Usually they are very good about finding ways to help. The last thing they want is for people to return the dogs, especially if someone has been as responsible as you have been. If you don't receive a satisfactory response, then you should write to the President of HSUS and tell him everything that has occurred and the negative response from the rescue group. You are bound to get some sort of reply from him.

Let us know what happens. If this doesn't work, we will try to come up with other solutions to the problem.