How much does bladder stone treatment cost for a dog?
To confirm your dog has bladder stones, the vet will more than likely perform a variety of tests, including a urinalysis, radiography, ultrasound and/or bloodwork. A dog urinalysis can cost $65 to $175, while an x-ray, depending on the number of shots taken, can range from $50 to $200. Lastly, if an ultrasound is performed, this can cost another $250 to $500. Just for the diagnosis alone, this can cost anywhere from $365 to $850+ just to confirm the dog has bladder stones. Bloodwork, often recommended for dogs older than seven, can cost another $100 or so, but bloodwork will be performed only before a surgical procedure to see if the dog is healthy enough for surgery.
Now, if the dog, after the tests are performed, is confirmed to have bladder stones, then the vet will determine the best course of action in terms of treatment. The costs of treating these bladder stones will depend on the treatment option considered, your vet, the inclusions in the bill, the size of the dog and your geographical location. Treatment options can include dietary management along with medicine, an urohydropropulsion, surgery or laser lithotripsy. The exact treatment option will depend on the size and number of bladder stones present. With various treatment methods, we broke down the averages in the table below:
| Treatment Option | When Prescribed | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription Dog Food/Medicine | Prescription dog food will often be the number one option as long as the bladder stones are manageable. This prescription-based dog food will be specially formulated to dissolve the crystals along with antibiotics to treat a urinary infection if present. Even after the bladder stones are gone, your vet may recommend your dog stays on the prescription-based food for life. | $40~ per 8-pound bag + $5~ for 30 Amoxicillin tablets |
| Urohydropropulsion | This technique may be used if the stones are smaller and are dislodged in the urethra. During this procedure, a urinary catheter, while the dog is sedated, will flush the bladder with a sterile saline solution. | $375 to $800 |
| Laser lithotripsy | Not commonly found at many veterinarian offices, this treatment, guided by a laser, breaks up the stones in order for them to be passed naturally. As compared to the other surgical methods listed here, this process is less evasive and has a faster recovery time. | $1,000 to $1,500 |
| Surgery (cystotomy) | Surgery, usually the last resort, will only be recommended if the dog food and/or diet plan is not working according to plan and/or if the stones are too large to pass naturally. Known as a cystotomy, a surgical opening is created in the wall of the urinary bladder while the dog is anesthetized. | $700 to $1,700 total |
A member of this ThePetsForums.com forum thread asked if a total cost of $1,600 to $2,300 is a fair price for bladder stone surgery, and according to one response from a member who did work with a dog rescue, she claimed the bill, at a minimum, will often be in the $1,500 to $2,000 range.
At the PitbullForum.com, one member was quoted $1,100 for a cystotomy, with $500 already invested in the diagnostics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and ultrasound.
Even after any treatment regimen, your vet will still ask you bring your dog in for multiple visits so that he or she can perform a urinalysis to ensure the crystals are not forming. As mentioned, each urinalysis can cost an additional $65 to $175, but in some cases, your vet may include these follow-up visits in their surgical quote.
As mentioned in the table above, there is a good chance your dog may prescribe a prescription-based dog food for life. If this were the case, plan on budgeting more for the dog food and additional vet visits for the prescription.
Depending on your vet’s billing practices, they may bill anesthesia and/or sedation as an additional expense.
Bladder stones (or urinary calculi) are a result of minerals in concentrated urine turning into crystals. Just like human beings, dogs and cats experience urinary tract infections. These infections can cause bladder stones. Bladder stones can also be caused by numerous other reasons, even diet.
Bladder stones are especially dangerous in male cats. They frequently block the urethra and cause a backup of urine. This can quickly become deadly and needs an emergency visit to the vet. In other pets, bladder stones can be just as serious. However, removal can usually be scheduled during business hours.
How to Get a Urine Sample From Your Dog
If the veterinarian has requested a urine sample, there are a few things you can do. First, the veterinarian will likely want a fresh (first thing in the morning) sample. How you obtain the urine sample will depend on whether your dog is male or female.
To get a male urine sample, take him to the place he normally urinates. Wait until he begins before angling the sample cup into the stream. Remember, you only need a small amount. Secure the cap and bring to the veterinarian quickly.
It’s probably going to be messy so you may want to wear a glove. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
The process works pretty much the same way for females. The easiest way is to use a small bowl or old plate you don’t need anymore. Bring the sample cup from the veterinarian with you along with the plate/bowl you plan to use.
Wait for your dog to squat and, when she does, quickly slip the bowl beneath her. When she’s done, just pour the sample into the sample cup. Secure the cap and bring to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Dog Cystotomy/bladder stone removal. What to expect before, during and after the procedure.
Are you staring down the barrel of a financial bill that could be just out of reach? If so, read on. This post is designed to provide in-depth information on bladder stones in dogs including ways to reduce the surgery costs.
Just like humans, a dog can be prone to certain health concerns. Most pet owners are familiar with ear infections, allergies, parasites, and dental disease, but did you know dogs can suffer from urinary bladder stones?
Bladder stones, also known as cystic calculi or uroliths, are solid, rock-like formations of minerals that develop in the bladder.
The stones can be found in sizes ranging from grains of sand to large stones, with a mixture of sizes being common.
They are not linked to other types of stones like kidney stones or gall stones. They are similar in that they are all caused by bacteria causing infection.
Unfortunately for our dogs, bladder stones can be quite painful. In some cases, they can be treated with a prescription diet and round of antibiotics. Cases involving large stones usually require surgery.
Bladder stones are caused by internal and external factors. Dogs normally have slightly acidic urine. It contains waste products that are normally flushed from the body during urination.
If the dog’s urine remains acidic, there usually isn’t any problem. However, if the urine becomes too concentrated or alkaline, bladder stones may develop.
Here are some of the most common conditions or factors that contribute to bladder stone formation:
Many pet owners don’t realize that there is more than one type of bladder stone that can affect our furry friends. The following is a list of the most common types and what they mean.
Struvite bladder stones (aka magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) are common in dogs. This type of stone is, essentially, a hard mineral deposit. Generally speaking, they commonly present as crystals in urine without causing any problems.
It’s not well understood just why these types of stones occur. One theory for the development of these stones has to do with the normal increase of urinary calcium concentration combined with an increase in dietary oxalate may be the cause.
Urate bladder stones are thought to be the result of a genetic abnormality. This abnormality causes a disturbance in how uric acid is metabolized.
Urate bladder stones can also result from liver disease in dogs. Thankfully, urate stones only represent about 5% of all bladder stones in dogs.
Dogs with bladder stones may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms. Keep in mind that your dog may not have every sign on the list. In fact, the list below could indicate other urinary tract conditions.
If your dog shows any significant symptoms of bladder stones, or if you suspect your dog may have bladder stones, get them to a veterinarian. If the veterinarian suspects bladder stones, he/she may perform or request the following:
In some cases, bladder stones can be felt with the fingers. An overweight dog may be difficult or impossible to palpate reliably. Normally, this is performed across the dog’s abdominal wall.
Sometimes the stones are too small or the dog is in too much pain to perform this simple procedure.
Sometimes an ultrasound (sonography) can detect the presence of bladder stones. This painless procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to take pictures within the body.
The presence of bladder stones may also be detected through a urine culture or blood test.
Your dog’s treatment options will depend on the size of your dog’s bladder stones, and the severity of their condition.
One of the least invasive methods of bladder stone removal is dietary dissolution. To do this, a special diet will helps break down stones in your dog’s bladder.
This procedure can help to avoid surgery. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on every type of stone. In addition, it can be a lengthy process. A strict therapeutic diet must be followed.
This procedure allows small stones to be passed through a urinary catheter and flushed from the bladder.
General anesthesia is often used in conjunction with heavy sedation. Unfortunately, this procedure is not useful in flushing large stones from the dog’s body.
Surgery, although invasive and expensive, may be your dog’s only option for bladder stone removal. This is especially true if they have large stones.
Bladder stone surgery is often the quickest method of treating urinary bladder stones and can be performed by most veterinarians. Dogs with underlying health conditions may not be good candidates.
Not every dog is a good candidate for surgery. If your dog fits that description, you may be looking at a costly bill. Of course, we do whatever we can for our pets! But…if you can find a way to cut some of that cost, wouldn’t you want to?