About 7 months ago we got a new female puppy - 2 months old at the time. We enrolled with a veterinary puppy program that included getting her spayed. At about 6 months old, and prior to her first menstruation, we took her in for the surgery. We were told all went well, and a week or so later took her back for a follow-up and received a clean bill of health.

About 6 or 8 weeks later, we noticed she was bleeding from her girlie-parts. We took her to the vet to check it and they ran a test for a urinary tract infection that came back negative and then told us they need to do a blood test to check for two other possibilities - one being that she was in heat. The cost of those 3 tests was a bit more than $200.

Couple weeks go by and no call from the vet with test results. I finally call the office and demand a call from the vet. Day later I get that call. Test results show the puppy is, indeed, in heat. This means the spay surgery was unsuccessful. The vet tells me they will repeat the surgery and refund the cost of the tests. Vet wants to wait till she is in heat again to perform the 2nd spay surgery, so maybe 6 months.

Couple of more weeks go by and today I receive a 3-page "Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims" to be signed before they refund the $200.

Now this has me alarmed. Previously, I was just annoyed at their incompetence, but trying to be understanding that the vet is only human and sometimes mistakes get made - so long as they are relative harmless and the situation can be corrected. Now, with reading through this release, it makes me wonder why they are trying to CYA with legalese.

Oddly, the "Settlement Agreement" makes no mention of having to re-do the surgery as part of the agreement. It only addresses the refund of the $200 - which is less important to me than having the surgery done correctly. At least, that is my initial thought.

Anyone ever have something like this happen with one of your pups?

How common is it for a spay surgery to go bad?

Should I be concerned about being asked to sign this release, at this time?

What do y'all think?