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 is a surgical procedure to open the bladder and remove urinary stones (uroliths). Bladder stones form when minerals in urine crystallize and aggregate. The two most common types are struvite (often caused by infection) and calcium oxalate (metabolic). Not all stones can be dissolved — calcium oxalate stones always require surgical removal. Male dogs face higher blockage risk
Under general anesthesia, the vet makes an abdominal incision to access the bladder. The bladder is opened, stones are removed, and the bladder is flushed to ensure all fragments are cleared. The bladder and abdomen are sutured closed. Removed 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, surgery, hospitalization, pain medication, and antibiotics. Stone analysis: $50-$100. Post-op X-ray: $100-$200. Emergency cystotomy for urinary blockage costs more — up to $5,000.
Recovery takes about 2 weeks. Restricted activity — no running or jumping. Antibiotics for 7-14 days. Pain medication for 5-7 days. Monitor urination closely — frequency, color, straining. A prescription diet is often recommended long-term to prevent recurrence. 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.
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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 all typically covered. Prescription diets to prevent recurrence may or may not be covered depending on the policy.
Standard illness waiting period of 14 days. If your dog had any urinary symptoms (straining, blood in urine, UTIs) before enrollment, bladder stone treatment is excluded as pre-existing. Emergency surgery for blockage follows the illness waiting period since it's an illness complication.
At $1,500-$4,000, bladder stone surgery easily exceeds most deductibles. With a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, you save $800-$2,800. Bladder stones often recur — having insurance for the first episode and potential future surgeries can save thousands over your dog's lifetime.
Some policies treat recurrent bladder stones as a continuation of the same condition, applying one deductible per year. Others may consider each episode separate. Prescription diets are excluded by many policies. Previous UTI history may lead to bladder stone exclusions if the insurer considers them related.
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