Thanks for sharing so others will know that this is a possibility.

What!!
 

That huge blob is supposed to tell somebody she is spayed!! Is there a code somewhere that explains what these sorts of "tattoos" are supposed to indicate. When it fades some it will just look like a birthmark or something. Unless she is lost and shows up at that particular place no one will have a clue what that is supposed to mean. Isn't the surgical scar enough?

I just read your posts about Maddie's surgery mistakes-- poor little thing! I hope she heals quickly!

Exactly! I talked to a friend today who said that she adopted a shelter dog who had a tiny blue-green line (about 1/2" long) tattooed on her tummy and she had no idea what it meant... neither did her vet! While the shelter who did it might know, other people did not.

Wow... That is a big mark for such a little girl :(

However, thanks for sharing your story... I definitely will be reading the fine print when it comes time to spay my little one!

My dad has a dog he got for HS and she is tattooed as well, but it is a thin line along the scar, not a big blotch like that. Thats not cool, if they are going to do it, they should at least make it less obtrusive. Something small and discreet would be better.

Okay, when I read "tattoo" in your original post, I thought of letters or numbers to identify her. But that is just a big blob. What is that supposed to mean to anyone else?? I'm sorry you're upset about this. I don't want to make you feel worse but I feel you're justified in feeling that way. My Tatum has a "tattoo" of her own sorts.... a big freckle in her ear. You can clearly see it since her ears stand up.

A few months ago MaddiesMommie had both her girls spayed together on the same day. When she picked them up that night she was panicked about the black spot of Maddie's tummy. Turned out that it was a tattoo and the vet hadn't told her about being required to do it. I agree that it should have been discussed with you but you also have to realize that there are a LOT of irresponsible owners and many dogs end up strays or in the pound. It is done for the betterment of the all animals so they do not end of have unnecessary surgeries. Do you know if it is a law in your area? Some parts of the country it is required of all spayed animals to be tattooed regardless if it is the Humane Society or private vet.

I believe that Mardelin previously mentioned about being chipped but I would like to clarify this since a chip would not indicate if a dog were spayed or not. But the tattoo would be there permanently.

Unfortunately, these types of problems are seen in rescues all the time when the scar is so small that a vet is unable to tell if a spay had already been done or not.

I was horrified when I discovered these "huge" black spots between my girls little legs. I didn't see them until later that evening and the office was closed. I would like to mention I did not use a low-cost facility, this is our regular vet.

I was on the phone with Jodi and emailing her pictures because I was not sure if it was a blood clot, a bruise or what. She kept me calm until I was able to call the vet the next morning and that is when I learned it was a spay tatoo.

No one wants to think about their babies ever ending up in a shelter or another home. However, we have read stories here of babies being lost or stolen. This tattoo prevents our babies from being put through an unneccesary surgery should the unthinkable happen. LJ shared her experiences with me where this does happen in rescues. You get an older dog, put her under only to find she has already been spayed.

I don't really pay it any attention now. The blackness seemed much larger than it is now due to bruising from the tatoo. After talking to our vet, I was only upset they didn't let me choose a butterfly or something for their tattoo. :p

I am attaching a pic of Maddie's belly the day of her surgery. Just don't look at her girly parts! ;)

Wonder why it's just a big blob (which could possibly be mistaken for a birthmark or other discoloration) and not the word "spayed". Seems to me that would be more logical and less open to misinterpretation.

It may be hard to see, but Maddie's is actually the female sign with a line through it.

This is what my girl's look like. THIS IS NOT MY DOG, only using this picture to show what their tattoo looks like. :)

Oh, that's cool. Not much chance that would be mistaken for a birthmark :p

I'm going to ask my vet about having it done when it's time for Scarlett to get spayed.

I think it is a good idea.

Awwww- a freckled Yorkie!! That's just about the cutest thing ever!