I adopted my Chi mix Zoe from my local Animal Control a little over 2 years ago. She was picked up as a stray. I was told that she had been spayed prior to being in the shelter. She is about 6 years old.
Zoe has always been a handful, but I love her to death, and would never, EVER take her back to the shelter. But I'm wondering if her behavioral issues have to do with a possible botched spay.
She goes through what one vet has told me is a "false heat." Her girl parts get enlarged, and although she doesn't have what I can see as a full cycle, she might emit a drop of blood here and there. This happens a few times a year.
She also lactates a little bit, marks indoors, and has always had an aggression problem with other dogs. I literally cannot walk on the same side of the street with any other dog as she will lunge, growl and bark at them. It does not make for fun walks for either of us. I have spent several thousand dollars on trainers and although she has improved a certain amount, it is still pretty bad.
The vet that I first took her to said that he would have to run a bunch of tests to determine if in fact there is still ovarian tissue that wasn't removed, and then he would have to do exploratory surgery, which would cost me about $3,000.
He said that she is not in any pain and her issues are not a detriment to her health. In all honesty I don't feel like I can drop $3,000 on her right now.
I'm thinking of getting a second opinion with another vet that I think I like better. I'm guessing that no matter what, it would involve surgery. However ... if I can eliminate all of her undesirable behaviors, that would be a total bonus.
Has anyone ever been in this situation? Can any vets out there provide some insight?
Zoe has always been a handful, but I love her to death, and would never, EVER take her back to the shelter. But I'm wondering if her behavioral issues have to do with a possible botched spay.
She goes through what one vet has told me is a "false heat." Her girl parts get enlarged, and although she doesn't have what I can see as a full cycle, she might emit a drop of blood here and there. This happens a few times a year.
She also lactates a little bit, marks indoors, and has always had an aggression problem with other dogs. I literally cannot walk on the same side of the street with any other dog as she will lunge, growl and bark at them. It does not make for fun walks for either of us. I have spent several thousand dollars on trainers and although she has improved a certain amount, it is still pretty bad.
The vet that I first took her to said that he would have to run a bunch of tests to determine if in fact there is still ovarian tissue that wasn't removed, and then he would have to do exploratory surgery, which would cost me about $3,000.
He said that she is not in any pain and her issues are not a detriment to her health. In all honesty I don't feel like I can drop $3,000 on her right now.
I'm thinking of getting a second opinion with another vet that I think I like better. I'm guessing that no matter what, it would involve surgery. However ... if I can eliminate all of her undesirable behaviors, that would be a total bonus.
Has anyone ever been in this situation? Can any vets out there provide some insight?