Bladder Stone Removal in Dogs: What This Surgery Looks Like

Bladder stone removal in dogs is one of the most common surgical procedures performed at veterinary practices like Bottletree Animal Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. If your dog has been diagnosed with bladder stones, surgery may be the fastest, most effective path to relief and understanding what the procedure involves can ease a lot of anxiety for pet owners. Bladder stones, also called uroliths or urinary calculi, are mineral deposits that form inside your dog’s bladder. When they grow too large to pass or cause significant discomfort, surgical removal is often necessary. Here’s what you can expect every step of the way.

 

 

What Are Bladder Stones in Dogs?

Bladder stones are rock-like collections of minerals that form in your dog’s urinary bladder. They can range in size from tiny sand-like granules to stones as large as a golf ball. While some dogs can pass small stones on their own or dissolve them through a prescription diet, larger or more stubborn stones typically require surgical intervention.

The most common types of bladder stones in dogs include struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) and calcium oxalate. Less frequently, veterinarians also see urate and cystine stones. The type of stone your dog has affects the treatment plan, and your veterinarian at Bottletree Animal Hospital will factor that into every recommendation they make.

What Causes Bladder Stones in Dogs?

Several factors contribute to the formation of canine bladder stones, including:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can create an environment where struvite stones thrive
• Diet and water intake, particularly diets high in certain minerals
• Genetic predisposition as some breeds like Dalmatians, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shih Tzus are more prone to certain stone types
• Metabolic disorders that affect how minerals are excreted through the urine
• Chronic dehydration, which leads to highly concentrated urine

Understanding the underlying cause is important not just for treatment, but also for preventing bladder stones from coming back after surgery.

How Are Bladder Stones in Dogs Diagnosed?

Before recommending bladder stone removal surgery, your veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis through a combination of diagnostic tools. Many pet owners come in after noticing signs like bloody urine, difficulty urinating, frequent urination with little output, or their dog straining to urinate without success.

Diagnostic Tools Your Vet May Use

At Bottletree Animal Hospital, diagnosis typically involves:

• Urinalysis: To check for blood, infection, crystals, and pH levels in the urine
• X-rays (radiographs): Most bladder stones show up clearly on X-ray, though some types require a contrast study
• Ultrasound: Provides a detailed view of the bladder wall, stone size, and stone quantity
• Urine culture: To identify any bacterial infections contributing to stone formation
• Blood work: To evaluate kidney function and overall health before surgery

Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the stone type is suspected, your veterinarian will discuss whether surgery, diet management, or a combination of both is the most appropriate treatment for your dog.

When Is Surgery the Right Choice for Bladder Stone Removal in Dogs?

Not every dog with bladder stones needs surgery right away. Smaller struvite stones caused by a bacterial infection may dissolve over several weeks with a prescription diet and antibiotics. However, surgical removal of bladder stones in dogs is usually recommended when:

• The stones are too large to dissolve with diet changes alone
• A urinary blockage is present or imminent. This is a medical emergency
• The stone type (such as calcium oxalate) cannot be dissolved with medication or diet
• The dog is in significant pain or has recurring urinary tract infections that aren’t resolving
• The stone count is high, increasing the risk of a blockage

If your dog is showing signs of a urinary blockage, particularly male dogs, who have a narrower urethra, seek veterinary care immediately. A complete blockage can become life-threatening within 24 to 48 hours.

What Does Bladder Stone Removal Surgery Look Like?

The surgical procedure for removing bladder stones from dogs is called a cystotomy. It is a well-established surgery that veterinarians perform regularly, and at Bottletree Animal Hospital, our team is experienced in walking both dogs and their people through the process with care and transparency.

Pre-Surgical Preparation

Before your dog goes into surgery, our veterinary team will perform a full pre-anesthetic workup. This usually includes blood work to ensure your dog’s organs are functioning well enough to handle anesthesia, along with a physical examination. Your dog will need to fast, typically no food after midnight the night before, and will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of the procedure. An IV catheter is placed, fluids are administered, and your dog is given pre-anesthetic medications to help them relax and manage pain before, during, and after surgery.

The Cystotomy Procedure

Once your dog is under general anesthesia, our surgical team will make a small incision in the abdomen and then a second, careful incision directly into the bladder wall. Your veterinarian removes the bladder stones, flushes the bladder thoroughly with sterile saline to ensure no small fragments remain, and inspects the bladder wall for any abnormalities.

The bladder and abdomen are then closed in layers using absorbable sutures. The procedure typically takes about one to two hours depending on the complexity, the number of stones, and whether any complications are encountered.

Removed stones are usually sent to an outside laboratory for mineral analysis. This stone analysis is a critical step, because it helps your veterinarian recommend the right post-operative diet and prevention plan to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Are There Non-Surgical Options for Removing Bladder Stones?

In some cases, veterinarians can use a procedure called urohydropulsion to flush small stones out of the bladder without surgery, or they may refer for laser lithotripsy, which breaks up stones using a laser passed through a scope. However, these options are not always available or appropriate for every dog. Your veterinarian at Bottletree Animal Hospital will talk through all realistic options based on your dog’s individual situation.

What to Expect After Canine Bladder Stone Surgery

Recovery from bladder stone removal surgery in dogs is generally smooth when owners follow post-operative instructions carefully. Most dogs spend one night in the hospital for monitoring, and many go home the following day.

Post-Operative Care at Home

Once your dog is home, you’ll be asked to:

• Restrict exercise and prevent jumping or rough play for two to three weeks
• Monitor the incision site daily for redness, swelling, or discharge
• Administer prescribed medications, which may include pain relievers and antibiotics
• Encourage water intake to help flush the urinary tract
• Transition to a prescription urinary diet as recommended by your vet
• Return for a follow-up appointment to have the incision checked and to discuss lab results

Most dogs are back to their normal energy levels within two to three weeks. Some temporary changes in urination habits like slightly increased frequency or mild discomfort are normal in the first few days as the bladder heals.

Potential Complications of Bladder Stone Removal in Dogs

Cystotomy is considered a low-risk procedure, but as with any surgery, there are potential complications to be aware of. These include anesthetic reactions, post-operative infection, bladder leakage at the incision site (rare), or incomplete stone removal if tiny fragments were missed. Your veterinarian will discuss these risks with you before surgery and give you clear instructions on when to call if something doesn’t seem right during recovery.

How Can You Prevent Bladder Stones From Coming Back?

One of the most important conversations you’ll have after your dog’s bladder stone removal surgery is about prevention. Because certain stone types have a high recurrence rate, ongoing management is critical.

Prevention strategies often include feeding a prescription urinary diet formulated to reduce stone-forming minerals, encouraging your dog to drink more water (a pet water fountain can help), and scheduling periodic urinalyses and X-rays to catch new stone formation early. For dogs prone to infection-related stones, monitoring for UTIs and treating them promptly is also key.

Your veterinarian at Bottletree Animal Hospital will create a prevention plan specific to your dog’s stone type and health history, giving your pup the best possible shot at a stone-free future.

Your Dog Deserves Comfort — And Answers

If your dog has been diagnosed with bladder stones, or if you’ve noticed signs like blood in the urine, straining, or frequent accidents, don’t wait to get them evaluated. Bladder stone removal in dogs is a routine, well-managed procedure, and early intervention almost always leads to better outcomes.

Our team at Bottletree Animal Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi is here to answer your questions, walk you through every step of the diagnosis and treatment process, and support your dog’s recovery from start to finish. Give us a call today at (662) 234-4336 to schedule an appointment. Your dog is in good hands.