Bladder stone surgery (cystotomy) in dogs costs $1,500-$4,000. The procedure opens the bladder to remove stones that can't be dissolved with diet or medication. Stones cause painful urination, blood in urine, and can create life-threatening urinary blockages, especially in male dogs.
A cystotomy opens the bladder to remove urinary stones (uroliths). The two most common types are struvite (often caused by infection) and calcium oxalate (metabolic). Not all stones dissolve - calcium oxalate stones always require surgical removal. Male dogs face higher blockage risk
Under general anesthesia, the vet opens the bladder, removes stones, flushes to clear all fragments, then sutures closed. Stones are sent for analysis to determine type and guide prevention. A post-operative X-ray confirms no stones remain. Stone analysis guides prevention strategy
Surgery: $1,500-$4,000. Includes pre-op diagnostics (X-rays, ultrasound, blood work: $300-$600), anesthesia, hospitalization, pain meds, and antibiotics. Stone analysis: $50-$100. Post-op X-ray: $100-$200. Emergency blockage surgery: up to $5,000.
About 2 weeks of restricted activity. Antibiotics for 7-14 days; pain medication for 5-7 days. Monitor urination closely. A long-term prescription diet is often recommended. Follow-up urinalysis and X-rays at 1-3 months. Prescription diet is key to preventing recurrence
Includes diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, and meds. Emergency surgery for blockage can reach $5,000.
Cystotomy is a well-established surgery. Complications (urinary leakage, infection) occur in less than 5% of cases.
Surgery takes 1-2 hours. Most dogs stay overnight and go home the next day.
Stones causing blockage (emergency), stones that can't be dissolved (calcium oxalate), or recurrent urinary tract infections.
02/04
Includes diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, and meds.
Most policies cover bladder stone surgery as an illness if your dog had no urinary symptoms before enrollment. Diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, and medication are typically covered. Prescription diets may not be.
Standard illness waiting period of 14 days. Any pre-enrollment urinary symptoms (straining, blood in urine, UTIs) mean bladder stone treatment is excluded as pre-existing.
At $1,500-$4,000, surgery easily exceeds most deductibles. With a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, you save $800-$2,800. Bladder stones often recur.
Some policies apply one deductible per year for recurrent bladder stones; others treat each episode separately. Prescription diets are excluded by many. Previous UTI history may lead to exclusions.
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