Cystotomy - Removal of Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats

A cystotomy is the medical term for opening the urinary bladder to remove either stones or a growth. Urinary bladder stones in dogs and cats are commonly caused by chronic low grade urinary tract infections and/or the way your pet metabolizes the mineral contents of its food and water.

Detecting Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats
Even as the most dedicated pet owner, you may not realize your pet has a urinary tract infection or bladder stones because it is against your pet’s natures to complain. You may not even be aware that there is a problem, until they are having accidents in the house or urinating blood. Sadly, because of this, we perform cystotomies on a regular basis here at Helping Hands.

Bladder stones are detected most commonly by x-ray, but can also be found with ultrasound or, if there are many stones, your vet may simply find them by palpating the bladder with their hands. We will need a copy of your vet’s medical notes and x-rays before getting you on our schedule. So please have your vet e mail or fax those notes and x-rays to us. Even though stones can be diagnosed without an x- ray, an x-ray is the only way we can see if stones are lodged in the urethra and see how many there are, so we are sure we get them all out. We do not offer x- rays at Helping Hands, so they must be provided by your regular veterinarian.

Surgery for Bladder Stones in Dogs and Cats
Surgery is only one step in the overall process of resolving bladder stones. These stones will recur if you do not take preventative measures after surgery. This is why it is very important that you follow up with your regular full service veterinarian to create and implement a preventative plan. *Due to COVID-19, the free lab we typically send stones to is closed. We will send you home with your pets bladder stone for you to share immediately with your primary vet for stone analysis. Stone analysis helps you plan to decrease the chances of future stone formation. It is important to share the stones with your primary vet to discuss medical, dietary or lifestyle changes that may be necessary.*

Be sure to schedule a 2 week follow up with your regular veterinarian to discuss the results and have them perform a urinalysis to be sure that any infection has been resolved. Depending on the type of stone and the urinalysis results, your veterinarian may discuss medications or dietary changes as part of the prevention strategy. Your vet may also recommend spot checking your pet’s urine every other month or so, for the first year after surgery, to monitor and to try to detect any urinary tract infections early. Remember, your pet will not tell you that they have an infection, but they may show you. Some behaviors to look for as an early warning sign may be: Your pet drinking at the water bowl more often, -you may notice that you are having to fill up their water bowl more than usual, your pet asking to go outside more often, or your pet having accidents in the house. If you see any of these signs, please have your veterinarian check their urine right away. If your pet has bladder stones, we are happy to help get them out safely and affordably.

Scheduling Surgery for Bladder Stones at Helping Hands
While bloodwork is always suggested, as a cost savings, it is only required on dogs over 7 and cats over 9 years of age. If your veterinarian has run bloodwork within 48 hours of your pet’s procedure, please have them fax it to us or bring us a copy to save you this fee. There is no additional fee for the labs to determine the type of bladder stones we removed. Many animals chew or lick open their incisions after surgery. We STRONGLY recommend that every animal have an e-collar to help prevent this. If your animal opens his or her incision, you will be charged for closing the wound.

We are outpatient facility which means the pets go home the same day and are usually back to their old selves that night or the next day. While rare, if your veterinarian believes your pet needs post op monitoring, you can return to your full service veterinarian or a 24-hour facility for continued care at your expense. We are here to get your pet through the cystotomy and back into the hands of your full service veterinarian.

Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery and Dental Care
(804) 355-3500
www.helpinghandsvetva.com