Cystotomy Surgery in Dogs and Cats
What It Is, Why It's Needed, What to Expect, and How We Support You
Why Might Your Pet Need This Surgery?
A cystotomy is a surgical procedure that involves opening the urinary bladder to remove bladder stones (uroliths), polyps, or other obstructive or irritating materials. It is most commonly recommended when:
- Bladder stones are confirmed on imaging
- Stones are too large to pass or causing discomfort
- Urinary obstruction has occurred or is imminent
- Other abnormalities (e.g., masses, blood clots) require removal or biopsy
Cystotomy can relieve pain, prevent urethral blockage, and improve urinary health.
Referrals Required for This Surgery
Our hospital does not provide diagnostic or consultation services for suspected bladder stones. Instead, your pet's care is transferred to us once a referring veterinarian has performed the diagnostic workup and recommended surgery.
We require a referral for the following reasons:
- The decision to pursue surgery should be made with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet's medical history, has completed the necessary diagnostics (such as x-rays or ultrasound), and can discuss the full range of treatment options with you.
- Our surgical team's role begins after surgery has been advised. We do not offer in-clinic imaging, diagnostics, or pre-surgical consultations.
- A referral allows us to prioritize patient safety by reviewing complete records and understanding the medical background before proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.
What qualifies as a referral?
We're flexible. A referral can be as simple as:
- A shared set of medical records from your veterinarian
- A treatment plan indicating that surgery has been recommended
- A brief summary emailed, texted, or faxed from your vet's team
- Direct communication between our team and your rDVM
Our team will review the records in advance, and if we have any questions, we'll reach out directly to the referring clinic.
If you're a pet owner, please talk with your veterinarian first about whether surgery is the right option. Once that decision is made, we're here to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient surgical care.
What Does the Surgery Involve?
Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia. An abdominal incision is made to access the bladder, which is then incised to remove stones or debris. The bladder is flushed to remove all sediment before closure.
The bladder is sutured closed in multiple layers, and the abdomen is closed routinely. It is recommended that stones or masses are submitted for analysis or biopsy.
What Are the Benefits?
- Removal of bladder stones or obstructions
- Immediate relief from urinary discomfort or blockage
- Reduction of infection, irritation, and straining
- Specimen collection for diagnosis or prevention planning
What Are the Risks?
- Anesthetic complications
- Infection or inflammation of the bladder
- Urinary leakage or post-op straining
- Stone recurrence in the future
- Need for additional treatment if urethral stones are missed
What's Included in Our Surgical Care
Cystotomy Surgery Package: $840.00
Price includes:
- A personalized anesthesia plan with multimodal pain control
- IV catheter placement and fluids
- Anesthesia and multiparameter monitoring
- Cystotomy and bladder flushing
- Post-op stabilization and in-clinic recovery
- Take-home medications (pain control and antibiotics)
- Discharge instructions and recovery plan
When Additional Care Is Needed
In some cases, pets require more intensive or ongoing care after surgery. Because we are an outpatient only clinic, transfer to an overnight hospital may be recommended.
Pets may need overnight care, especially if:
- They are very young, old, or systemically sick
- They need 24-hour IV medications, stabilization, or intensive monitoring
- They are dealing with kidney damage or systemic abnormalities caused by urinary blockage
If this happens, we will coordinate a transfer to an emergency or specialty facility, and any costs associated with that transfer and continued care will be the owner’s responsibility.
Aftercare: What to Expect at Home
Your pet will go home with:
- Prescription medications for pain and infection control
- Instructions for activity restriction and wound care
- Details on when to return for recheck or suture removal
Most pets start to feel better quickly once the stones are removed, but healing takes time. We're here to help every step of the way.
Have Questions?
Please reach out to our team. We are happy to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you care for your pet before and after surgery.