As Paws for a Cause Vet Care continues to expand its services, I am excited to discuss a new surgery we will offer–cystotomy. A cystotomy is a surgical procedure used to open the urinary bladder, most often to remove bladder stones that can cause pain, infection, or urinary blockage in dogs and cats.
Bladder stones in our pets can be caused by a lot of things, including poor diet, genetics or breed predispositions, underlying metabolic disease, and urinary tract infections. We commonly see bladder stones in Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzu, Yorkies, Pomeranians, Poodles and Dachshunds.
Signs your pet may have a bladder stone include:
- Straining to urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination or urinary leakage
Treatment for bladder stones can range from prescription diets used to dissolve the stones to a cystotomy. During a cystotomy, a veterinarian makes an incision into the bladder to remove the stones. The bladder is then flushed and carefully closed. Post-operative x-rays are then taken to ensure no stones remain in the patient. Recovery time from this procedure is often 10-14 days, and all the stones we remove are sent to a lab specializing in stone analysis to determine their exact composition. Once we know the stone’s composition, we can develop an individualized treatment plan for your pet to help prevent further stones.
If your pet needs a cystotomy, please contact us at 630-961-8000.