The Patient
Shorty is a 10-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise who came to see us after her family noticed blood in her urine and frequent accidents in the house. She also seemed quieter than usual — uncomfortable, sad, and just not herself. Like many pet owners would, they suspected a urinary tract infection and wanted to get her some relief.
The Case
During Shorty's exam with Dr. Franken, she was very calm and cooperative. Laboratory testing was performed. The urine sample showed a large amount of blood, crystals, and bacteria. While these findings alone can be consistent with a routine urinary tract infection, something didn't quite add up, so I recommended radiographs (x-rays) to look a little deeper.
That decision made all the difference.
Shorty’s x-rays revealed an extreme number of bladder stones — so many that they nearly filled her entire bladder. There was very little room left for urine, which explained her frequent accidents. Bladder stones like these are not only painful, but they constantly irritate the bladder wall, making pets feel uncomfortable every time they try to urinate.
Bladder stones are fairly common in dogs and are something we routinely check for when urinary symptoms are present.
The Treatment Plan
Treatment options were discussed with Shorty’s owners. Some bladder stones can dissolve over time with a special prescription diet, but given the sheer number of stones present, surgery (a cystotomy) was the best and safest option.
Shorty was started on antibiotics and pain medication, and we scheduled her for surgery.
The procedure went very smoothly, and we were able to remove a large number of stones from her bladder.
The Outcome
Shorty recovered beautifully. Her family reports that she’s now running around like a puppy again — comfortable, happy, and accident-free. Seeing patients return to their normal selves after treatment is one of the most rewarding parts of our job.
Want to Learn More?
Bladder stones can cause significant discomfort but are very treatable when diagnosed early. Learn more about symptoms, treatment options, and prevention here: https://www.hometownveterinarian.com/services/dogs/blog/bladder-stones-dogs-symptoms-treatment-removal-and-prevention
If you suspect that your pet may be affected by bladder stones, call our office in Marshalltown, Iowa at 641-758-3333 or click to Request an Appointment