Cystotomy Vet Brisbane
If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with bladder stones, our team at Plus One Vet Nundah performs cystotomy surgery to remove them and get your pet comfortable again. Some cases need urgent attention, especially if your pet cannot urinate at all, while others can be scheduled once the diagnosis is confirmed. Either way, our team will talk you through what your pet needs and when.
As your local vet on Brisbane’s Northside, Plus One Vet Nundah has the surgical facilities and experienced team to carry out cystotomy surgery on site, along with the imaging needed to confirm the diagnosis beforehand.
Nundah
07 3707 5434
How to Tell If Your Pet Has a Bladder Stone Problem
Bladder stones, also called uroliths, form when minerals in the urine clump together inside the bladder. They can affect both dogs and cats, and the signs are similar in each. Watch for:
- Straining or taking longer than usual to urinate
- Blood in the urine, or urine that looks cloudy or discoloured
- Frequent trips outside or to the litter tray with little result
- Licking around the genital area more than usual
- Crying out or seeming uncomfortable when urinating
Male cats and small-breed male dogs are particularly at risk, because stones can lodge in the narrower urethra and cause a complete blockage. If your pet cannot pass urine at all, this is an emergency. Please call us straight away or head to an emergency vet if we’re closed.
Why Vets Recommend Cystotomy for Bladder Stones
Not every bladder stone needs surgery. Some types, particularly struvite stones, can sometimes be dissolved with a prescription diet if they’re caught early and there’s no blockage. Others, such as calcium oxalate stones, won’t dissolve this way and need to be removed surgically.
A canine cystotomy, or the same surgery in cats, may be recommended when stones are causing pain or repeated infections, when they’re too large or numerous to pass naturally, or when there’s a risk of a blockage forming. Our team will confirm the type and size of any stones with imaging before recommending the best path forward for your pet.
How We Perform Cystotomy Surgery
Before surgery, we’ll carry out blood tests and imaging such as x-rays or an ultrasound to confirm the stones, check your pet’s general health, and plan the safest anaesthetic approach. This is also when we’ll talk you through the procedure and answer any questions you have.
A cystotomy is performed under general anaesthesia, with your pet’s heart rate, breathing and other vital signs monitored throughout. Our vet makes a small incision into the abdomen and then into the bladder itself, allowing the stones to be removed directly.
The exact canine cystotomy procedure can vary slightly depending on your dog’s sex, and the same is true for a cystotomy in cats. Once the stones are out, we flush the bladder and urethra to check none remain, close the incision, and often send stones away for laboratory analysis. Knowing exactly what type of stone your pet formed helps us recommend the right diet or management plan to reduce the chance of them coming back.
Cystotomy Recovery: What to Expect at Home
Most pets stay with us for at least one night after surgery so we can monitor them as the anaesthetic wears off and make sure they’re passing urine normally. Canine cystotomy recovery, and recovery for cats, generally follows a similar path from there.
- Pain relief and, if needed, antibiotics to take home
- A protective collar to stop your pet licking or chewing the incision
- Restricted activity for around ten to fourteen days while the wound heals
- A follow-up check to confirm everything is healing well
Many pets are also started on a specific diet during recovery to help prevent new stones from forming, based on what the stone analysis shows. Call us if your pet stops eating, seems very lethargic, or has any ongoing trouble urinating after they’re home.
Exceptional Pet Care
Why Pet lovers Trust Our Vet To Care For Their Plus One
Nundah
07 3707 5434
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cystotomy a major surgery for my pet?
It’s a routine procedure for our surgical team, but like any surgery under general anaesthesia, it’s still a significant event for your pet. We assess every dog and cat beforehand to make sure they’re a safe candidate, and we monitor them closely throughout.
How long is the hospital stay after cystotomy?
Most pets stay at least one night so we can watch their recovery from anaesthesia and confirm they’re urinating without difficulty. Some pets, particularly if they were very unwell beforehand, may need a little longer.
Will my dog or cat need a special diet after cystotomy?
Often, yes. Once we know what type of stone your pet had, we can recommend a diet suited to reducing the chance of the same type forming again. We’ll talk you through the options that suit your pet’s needs.
Can bladder stones come back after cystotomy?
They can, particularly if the underlying cause isn’t managed afterwards. This is why stone analysis and any recommended diet or follow-up checks matter just as much as the surgery itself.
What causes bladder stones in dogs and cats?
A few things can contribute, including diet, how concentrated the urine is, and how often your pet urinates. Urinary tract infections can also play a role in some types of stone. Certain breeds are more prone to particular stone types than others, which is another reason we recommend getting any stones analysed rather than guessing at the cause.
Think Your Pet Might Have Bladder Stones? Book a Consultation Today
If your dog or cat is showing any signs of a bladder stone problem, don’t wait it out. Book an appointment with our team at Plus One Vet Nundah, or contact us if you’d like to discuss your pet’s symptoms first. If your pet cannot urinate at all, please treat it as an emergency and call us right away.
