Bladder Stone Removal for Dogs & Cats in Mesa, AZ
Professional Cystotomy Surgery for Pets
Bladder stones can cause painful urination, blood in the urine, frequent attempts to urinate, and other urinary problems. In some cases, stones can obstruct the urinary tract and become a serious medical concern.
At AZ Vet Direct, we provide bladder stone removal surgery, also known as cystotomy. Our surgery-focused veterinary team provides scheduled surgical care with attention to anesthesia, patient monitoring, pain management, and postoperative recovery.
If your pet has been diagnosed with bladder stones and your veterinarian has recommended surgical removal, our team can discuss whether cystotomy is an appropriate procedure for your pet.
Our downtown Mesa clinic serves pet owners throughout the East Valley and Southeast Valley of Phoenix who are looking for affordable, surgery-focused veterinary care.
Call (480) 712-3600 or request an appointment to discuss your pet’s surgical needs.
What Are Bladder Stones in Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits?
Bladder stones, also called uroliths or urinary stones, are mineral formations that develop within the urinary tract. Different types of stones can form, and their underlying causes vary between individual pets.
Some pets with bladder stones have no obvious symptoms, while others may experience:
- Frequent urination
- Straining or difficulty urinating
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating in unusual places
- Licking around the urinary opening
- Changes in urine volume or frequency
A complete inability to urinate is an emergency. If your pet is repeatedly trying to urinate without producing urine, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Diagnosing Bladder Stones
Bladder stones may be suspected based on your pet’s symptoms, physical examination, urinalysis, medical history, and diagnostic imaging.
Because AZ Vet Direct is a surgery-focused clinic rather than a full-service diagnostic hospital, pets with suspected bladder stones may need to be evaluated and diagnosed by their primary veterinarian before being referred to us for surgical treatment.
If your veterinarian has already diagnosed bladder stones and recommends surgical removal, provide your pet’s medical records and available diagnostic information when contacting our team. This helps us determine whether cystotomy is an appropriate procedure for your pet.
We do not provide general diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound or non-dental X-rays at our clinic.
Bladder Stone Removal Surgery
Dog Bladder Stone Removal
Bladder stones are relatively common in dogs and can cause urinary discomfort, blood in the urine, frequent urination, or difficulty passing urine. When surgical removal is recommended, a cystotomy can be performed to remove stones from the bladder.
Cat Bladder Stone Removal
Cats can also develop urinary stones and other urinary tract problems. Treatment depends on the type and location of the stones and the individual cat’s condition.
If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog or cat with bladder stones and recommends surgical removal, contact AZ Vet Direct to discuss whether we can provide the procedure.
Rabbit Bladder Stone Removal
Rabbits can develop bladder stones. These are hard, mineralized masses that form in the bladder when calcium-rich crystals in the urine clump together
Recovery After Bladder Stone Surgery
After cystotomy, your pet will need a quiet environment and restricted activity while the surgical site heals. Your discharge instructions will explain how to monitor the incision, administer medications, manage activity, and provide appropriate postoperative care.
Some pets may have temporary changes in urination following surgery. Your veterinary team will explain what to expect during recovery and what signs should prompt you to seek additional veterinary attention.
Contact a veterinary professional promptly if your pet:
- Cannot urinate
- Has significant or worsening pain
- Has substantial bleeding
- Develops marked swelling or discharge from the incision
- Has repeated vomiting
- Becomes severely lethargic
- Develops another concerning change
Following postoperative instructions carefully is important for supporting a smooth recovery.
Can Bladder Stones Come Back?
Unfortunately, some pets are prone to developing bladder stones again. The risk of recurrence depends on the type of stone, your pet’s underlying health, diet, urinary environment, and other individual factors.
Depending on the type of stone identified, your veterinarian may recommend dietary changes, increased water intake, medication, urine monitoring, or other preventive measures.
If stones are surgically removed, your veterinarian may also recommend analyzing the stones to help determine their composition and guide future prevention.
There is no single diet or prevention strategy that is appropriate for every type of bladder stone. Your veterinarian should recommend a prevention plan based on your pet’s individual diagnosis.
When Is a Bladder Problem an Emergency?
A pet that is unable to urinate may have a urinary obstruction, which can become life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Seek emergency veterinary care if your pet is:
- Repeatedly straining to urinate without producing urine
- Crying or showing severe pain while attempting to urinate
- Becoming weak, collapsed, or extremely lethargic
- Vomiting in association with severe urinary symptoms
- Showing other signs of a potentially serious urinary obstruction
Why AZ Vet Direct?
AZ Vet Direct focuses on scheduled veterinary surgery and dental procedures, allowing our team to concentrate on the types of surgical care we routinely provide.
For appropriate bladder-stone cases, we offer cystotomy surgery with attention to anesthesia, monitoring, pain management, and postoperative care.
Our goal is to provide professional surgical treatment at an accessible price while giving pet owners clear information about their pet’s procedure and recovery.
