How Much Does Bladder Stone Surgery Cost For Dogs?

Bladder stone surgery, also referred to as a cystotomy, is a common procedure for dogs suffering from bladder stones. This surgery involves opening the dog’s bladder to manually remove the stones, which will alleviate pain and also prevent serious complications such as urinary obstruction.

In this article, we’ll examine aspects of bladder stones, including causes, available treatments, and the costs of surgery to remove stones. Ignoring this condition can lead to much more serious health issues. With over 15 years of experience in the pet insurance industry and as a long-time dog owner, I know from personal experience how critical timely intervention might be to ensure your pet’s well-being.

Bladder stones may gradually develop over weeks, months, or even years. They generally occur because of excess minerals in the dog’s urine. They begin by forming tiny crystals. But as time goes on, the crystals irritate the bladder lining, which produces mucus. The mucus and crystals can clump together, grow larger, and finally harden into stones.

There are different types of bladder stones:

1. Struvite stones
2. Calcium oxalate stones
3. Urate stones
4. Cystine stones
5. Silica stones

Symptoms

• Urine leakage or odor
• Difficulty urinating – straining, frequent attempts*
• Recurring UTIs
• Incontinence, urinating indoors
• Pain when urinating
• Urine odor
• Blood or pus in urine
• Licking the urinary opening
• Reduced appetite
• Abdominal pain

 Diagnosis

In some cases of bladder stones in dogs, the vet might be able to palpate the bladder and feel the stones. But in case your dog has a urinary blockage from a stone, the vet should palpate very cautiously due to the risk of rupturing the dog’s bladder.

Ordinarily, a vet will want to confirm a bladder stone diagnosis with X-Rays. However, some types of mineral bladder stones cannot be seen on X-Rays. In that case, your vet may use ultrasound or a contrast X-Ray with dye.

The vet will want to find out which type of stone is present, too, since treatment varies depending on the types of stones. Removing stones for testing is the only method that allows the vet to be 100% sure of the type. However, there are other ways that can help your vet determine which kind of stone your dog has:

• Urinary pH
• Whether stones can be seen on x-rays
• If there is bacterial infection
• Type of any crystals in the urine
• Your dog’s sex, age and breed

Your vet will probably check blood work, as well, for unusual results.

Causes

Several situations can lead to bladder stones:

• Minerals in the urine form crystals and grow into stones
• Bacteria in the urinary tract (UTI)
• Bladder inflammation
• Urinary pH
• Genetics might be a contributing factor

Diet is an important element in the development of bladder stones, also.

Treatment

Treatment options are based on the type of bladder stone as well as the severity of your dog’s condition:

• Surgery (Cystotomy): The most effective and quickest method to remove bladder stones.
• Non-Surgical Methods: In some cases, dietary changes and medications can help dissolve certain types of stones.
• Urohydropropulsion: A less invasive procedure that uses a catheter to flush out smaller stones.

In addition to these methods, there is lithotripsy, a procedure that is performed in dogs to treat urolithiasis; the presence of stones in the urinary tract. Lithotripsy involves using energy to break the stones (uroliths) into small particles that can be collected or flushed from the urinary tract. This treatment is usually completed with a laser through the use of a cystoscopy, a procedure that provides access to the dog’s urinary tract with a small scope, rather than with open surgery.

Laser lithotripsy is generally recommended when other treatment methods, such as medication, diet change, and urohydropulsion have failed to remove urinary tract/bladder stones. In many cases, dogs are referred to a surgical or internal medicine veterinary specialist for treatment with laser lithotripsy.

How Much Does Bladder Stone Surgery In Dogs Cost?

The cost of surgery to remove bladder stones in dogs averages between $1,200 to $2,100. This depends on several factors, though, as medications, complications, and other care related to the procedure may increase the total cost.

Bladder stone surgery costs may vary significantly depending on several factors, including the geographical location, the vet’s experience and specialty, along with the surgical technique used.

What Is Included In Bladder Stone Surgery Cost For Dogs?

The total cost of bladder stone surgery in dogs usually includes several components: the initial vet visit, pre-surgery blood work and diagnostics, anesthesia, the surgical procedure, medications, post-operative care, Elizabethan collar, and follow-up visits.

Real-World Examples Of Bladder Stone Surgery Costs In Dogs

A-Z Animals: They report a general cost range of $1,200 to $2,100, and note that the price may vary depending on the type of procedure used, along with the severity of the condition and any underlying health issues of the dog​​.

VCA Animal Hospitals: Costs range from $1,200 to $2,200 for a basic surgical removal of bladder stones in dogs. More complex cases or those that call for specialized care may be higher​.

Lemonade Pet Insurance: Lemonade  gives a range of $1,500 to $1,2,00 for bladder stone removal surgery, and emphasizes the additional costs associated with follow-up and post-op care as well as any complications that may arise​.

What Factors Affect The Cost Of Bladder Stone Surgery In Dogs?

The cost of bladder stone removal surgery can vary significantly based on several factors. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate the expenses, and make better, more informed decisions about your pet’s health care.

• Type of Procedure: The type of procedure done to remove bladder stones from a dog will influence the cost of the surgery.
• Veterinarian’s Experience and Specialty: A board-certified veterinary surgeon might charge more due to their specialized expertise, which is important for more complicated cases​​.
• Preoperative Vet Visits and Diagnostics Examinations: Exams by the vet, along with blood work and other diagnostic tests, are necessary before surgery, and may add to the total cost​​.
• Anesthesia: Both the type and the duration of anesthesia used during the procedure can greatly affect the cost.
• Post-Surgery Medications and Follow-Up Care: Post-surgery care, which includes meds and follow-up visits, may increase to the overall cost.
• Geographical Location: The cost of veterinary services may vary greatly based on the veterinary clinic location, with metropolitan areas usually having higher costs and more rural areas​ lower costs.
• Complications and Additional Treatments: Additional treatments and possibly more surgeries may be needed if any complications arise during or after surgery, increasing the cost.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Bladder Stone Surgery For Dogs?

Pet insurance coverage for bladder stone surgery in dogs tends to vary from one policy and one company to the next. But generally speaking, you can reasonably expect to have pet insurance cover bladder stone surgery in your dog, as long as it wasn’t present before the coverage was issued.

Hereditary And Congenital Conditions

Most comprehensive pet insurance policies will cover congenital and hereditary conditions, including bladder stone removal surgery. For instance, Lemonade Pet Insurance usually covers the cost of bladder stone surgery, with the exclusion of deductibles and coinsurance, provided that the policy was issued before any symptoms appeared​.

MetLife Pet Insurance covers bladder stone surgery under its policies that include hereditary conditions, and urge pet owners to check for any exclusions related to pre-existing conditions​​ when shopping for pet insurance.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Most pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. If your pet is diagnosed with bladder stones prior to your purchase of the policy, or displays symptoms during the waiting period, the surgery may not be covered​​.

How Can I Save Money On Bladder Stone Surgery For Dogs?

Saving money on bladder stone surgery for your dog can be achieved through several strategies.

First of all, you might consider purchasing pet insurance that will provide coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions, since this may significantly offset the cost of health care for your pet. Many comprehensive pet insurance plans cover surgery after deductibles and coinsurance, possibly saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars. It’s important to get your pet insured early to avoid any issues with exclusions for  pre-existing conditions.

Another way to save is by researching financing options or payment plans sometimes on offer by veterinary clinics. Some clinics will provide interest-free payment plans and financing options that can help you spread the cost over time, instead of paying the total sum up front. Also, look around for veterinary schools that offer discounted rates for procedures performed by supervised students.

What Breeds Are Typically Affected By Bladder Stones?

There’s been a lot of research into the dogs most affected by bladder stones.

A ten year Canadian study looked at more than 40,000 dogs with bladder stones. Over 85% of cases were struvite and calcium oxalate stones. Struvite stones were more common in females and calcium oxalate stones more common in males.

Any dog breed can get bladder stones, but the breeds most likely to be affected are:

• Shih Tzu
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Bichon Frise
• Lhasa Apso
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Dalmatians (Urate stones)
• Newfoundlands (Cystine stones)
• German Shepherds (Silica stones)

Is Surgery Required For Bladder Stone Removal In Dogs?

Female dogs may pass smaller stones when they urinate, because females have a shorter urethra with a wider diameter. But, it’s more difficult for males. In male dogs, the stone can pass into the urethra and then get stuck on its way through the penis. Your dog’s urine will be reduced to a dribble if this happens.

Or, it might cause a total blockage. This is unusual, but if it does happen it’s a potentially fatal emergency, so you need to get treatment for your dog quickly if he can’t urinate.

If you see your dog straining and then suddenly urinating a lot, he or she may have just passed a stone. If you can find it, take it to your vet for analysis.

How Can I Prevent Bladder Stones For My Dog?

You can’t completely prevent bladder stones from forming in your dog that necessitate surgery to remove them. However, there are some proactive steps you can take that may help to prevent formation of the stones. Here are 7 factors can increase the risk of bladder stones in dogs:

1. Genetics: Some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to developing bladder stones, including Miniature Schnauzers, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises and others.
2. Diet: Diets high in particular minerals, like calcium,  magnesium, or oxalates, may contribute to bladder stone formation.
3. Reduced Water Intake: If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, this can lead to concentrated urine, which increases the risk of stone formation.
4. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Frequent UTIs may alter the urine pH of your dog and promote bladder stone formation.
5. Urine pH: Abnormal urine acidity levels, whether too low or too high, may lead to crystallization of minerals and stones.
6. Metabolic Disorders: Conditions that affect the metabolism of minerals may also contribute to the formation of bladder stones.
7. Medications: Long-term use of some medications, such as diuretics and steroids,  can increase the risk of bladder stones.