This surgery involves incising into the urinary bladder, most oftentimes to remove cystoliths (bladder stones). Cystoliths are diagnosed through urine analysis in combination with radiographs (x-rays) and/or ultrasound. Cystotomies are performed when stones are diagnosed to be in the urinary bladder or the urethra (a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) and have the potential to or are blocking the passage of urine (completely or partially). With enough time and pressure, a complete urinary blockage can cause the urinary bladder to rupture and spill urine into the pet’s abdomen (uroabdomen). This painful condition can be fatal and surgical intervention should be pursued as soon as possible.
Clinical signs depend on the severity of the blockage:
While under general anesthesia, all stones are flushed from the urethra into the bladder with the use of an indwelling urinary catheter. After opening the abdominal cavity, the bladder is incised into to remove all stones, blood clots and sludge/sandy debris. Prior to closure the bladder is repeatedly flushed with saline to ensure there are no leftover stones. Repeat imaging (most likely radiographs, depending on the stone type) is done prior to closing the incisions to ensure all stones have been removed from the bladder and urethra.