I have a 4 month old female lab, Rosie. She has an inverted vulva and her contract from where we rescued her states that we must spay her eventually. The vet was hoping it would drop on its own but so far it hasn't. Now our contract has been extended for the spay at 1.5 years old or until she comes into her first heat cycle...that is what the doc recommended, to spare her of UTIs and a life of antibiotics. My question is has anyone heard of this, or had a similar problem and if so what did you do about it? Just want to do what is best for our puppy!
Hi there! I didn't have this issue, but it's pretty common. It often resolves itself during the first season, which is why it's recommended to wait for that in these circumstances. Most bitches have their first season way before 1.5 years (often around 6-10 months) so you should be well clear by then. If it's not resolved, then there are two paths to choose from, depending on the severity; one is simply management and judicious cleaning, along with weight control (symptoms tend to be worse in overweight dogs), or else a simple surgical procedure to correct it.
Just wanted to say hi and welcome. As Fiona says it is quite a common problem which often resolves itself. I would keep an eye on it and discuss with your vet. They should be able to give you the best advice and treatment plan for your girl.
WElcome to the board. Though I have no direct experience with an inverted vulva I've read about it and about them reversing after a heat. Sometimes it takes two heats. You are very lucky to have a knowledgeable Vet and a rescue that will change the dates for you. Here's a link about it. The person who wrote this is a Lab breeder in the U.S. http://www.heartypet.com/blog/?p=47
