Pet Cystotomy Surgery In Baytown, TX
Getting the news that your pet needs to have bladder surgery can be overwhelming and confusing even when you have the facts about what the procedure entails. In simple words, a cystotomy is performed in dogs or cats by us in order to get a biopsy, do an exploratory procedure, or address a known issue such as a tumor, bladder stones, or an obstruction in the urethra. Even with that information, we know “cystotomy” can be a scary-sounding word if you’re not familiar with the term.
If you find yourself looking for a "veterinary cystotomy service near me" that can perform a cystotomy for your pet, Baytown Animal Hospital wants to be there for you. Let us walk you through what a cystotomy is, why your pet could need one, and all the details regarding the surgery and recovery time.
What is A Cystotomy?
A cystotomy procedure involves creating a surgically made opening in the urinary bladder wall that will allow our surgeons to take a look inside your pet's bladder. This kind of surgery can be used to treat a variety of canine conditions, as well as identify any issues that might have been missed by conventional diagnostic tests. While there are less intrusive ways of inspecting the bladder like abdominal x-rays or ultrasound testing, a cystoscopy is crucial to effectively treat urinary bladder issues.
Why Does My Pet Need a Cystotomy?
There are a number of complications seen in dogs that can be treated with a cystotomy. Some breeds are highly prone to developing bladder conditions, so there is no way to prevent bladder stones from forming. Bladder stones are the most common reason why pets might need a cystotomy. They often develop as a result of recurrent UTIs or excessive excretion of a particular mineral in the bladder.
What Is The Cystotomy Procedure Like?
A general health examination of the pet will be performed by our team before the cystotomy surgery is carried out. For a pet with a bladder issue, the main preoperative examinations are often blood testing, radiographs, and an ultrasound.
General anesthesia is used to induce unconsciousness, maintain complete control of pain, and generate muscle relaxation. After that, the hair on your pet’s lower abdomen is shaved and the skin is thoroughly disinfected and cleaned, and a sterile drape is positioned over the surgical area. Once the abdominal cavity is open, the urinary bladder will be isolated with sterile material and another incision will be made. Urine is removed to prevent contamination and then we will dispose of any bladder stones, tumors, or blood clots.
A urinary catheter will be placed if necessary towards the end of the surgery to allow urine to drain from the bladder. At the conclusion of the procedure, the bladder is then sutured and once we are satisfied with the stitching and confirm that the bladder will not leak, the abdomen wall is closed.
Including prep time and anesthesia, this procedure usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour in most cases.
How Effective Is A Cystotomy?
A cystotomy is a highly effective procedure for identifying, correcting, and treating any abnormalities in the urinary bladder. As with any surgical treatment, we will discuss with you any potential complications that should be taken into account.
After the surgery, pets usually continue to strain when urinating, pee frequently, or even have some blood in their urine for the next couple of days. Do not panic if this happens to your pet following a cystotomy.
Cystotomy Recovery And Aftercare
Your pet will be required to spend some time with us following a cystotomy operation for monitoring purposes and to maintain fluid delivery since they need to be drinking more water to maintain hydration and regularly cleanse the bladder. This will also apply after they go home.
Pets that have had a cystotomy frequently pass blood clots via their urine, thus they won't be permitted to go home until the clots have decreased.
Post-op medication should be administered to ease pain, which is often rated as light to severe and can be successfully treated with painkillers. Your pet’s activity will need to be reduced until the sutures are removed in 10 to 14 days. Every day, check the suture line for any indications of redness, discharge, swelling, or discomfort. You should also keep an eye on your pet's urination patterns.
Although postoperative problems are infrequent, it is important to mention them so you can be prepared in case your pet suffers unusual consequences as a result of a cystotomy. Some of these can include urine leakage, straining or discomfort for 3 or 4 days, and incontinence that should be gone in about a week.
