Based in Los Angeles, Joseph Bisignano, DVM, is a valedictorian graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences. He works as an internal medicine consultant with Alicam and as the department head of internal medicine for the Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital. During his career in veterinary medicine Joseph Bisignano, DVM, has performed various procedures, including bladder stone removal.
If a pet parent notices blood in their dog’s urine or any difficulties with urination, there is a chance the dog may be suffering from bladder stones. A bladder stone is a rock-like buildup of minerals in the bladder. Dogs may develop a single, large stone, many grain-sized stones, or some combination of the two.
While veterinarians are not entirely clear on what causes bladder stones in dogs, the well supported precipitation-crystallization theory maintains that several internal and external factors can boost crystalline compounds in the urine. This might be caused, for example, by a bacterial infection. As compounds increase, so do the odds of a stone forming in the bladder.
When it comes to surgical treatment for bladder stones, pet parents should discuss the benefits of minimally invasive stone removal as opposed to traditional surgery. The benefits of a minimally invasive procedure are manifold: quicker recovery, lower levels of pain, and best of all, a better success rate for both male and female dogs and cats.
The percutaneous cystolithotomy procedure is the most common minimally invasive surgical approach to bladder stone removal. If stones are found, individuals should discuss whether their pet is a candidate for this procedure with their veterinarian.
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