25/09/2026
🐾 HURLEY’S SURGERY UPDATE & ROAD TO RECOVERY 🐾
Our brave little fighter Hurley is now resting and on his way to recovery after successfully undergoing his 2nd Cystotomy (bladder stone removal surgery) here at Barksite Animal Clinic.
The image shows Hurley wearing a protective clear Elizabeth collar (cone of shame) to keep him from scratching or licking at his healing incision site. He is currently resting with his tongue slightly out, a common sight as furbabies slowly wake up and recover from the effects of anesthesia.
Because bladder stones can be tricky and have a tendency to recur (as in sweet Hurley's case), we want to share some vital medical insight with all our pet parents out there:
🩺 Medical Pros and Cons of Bladder Stones in Dogs
The Pros (Benefits of Treatment & Management):
Immediate Pain Relief: Removing the stones removes the severe discomfort, straining, and irritation your pet feels while trying to urinate.
Prevents Life-Threatening Blockages: Left untreated, stones can roll down and fully block the urethra, which is a critical medical emergency. Surgery completely clears this risk.
Diagnostic Direction: Extracting the stones allows us to send them to a laboratory for analysis. Identifying the exact mineral type (like struvite or calcium oxalate) tells us exactly what prescription urinary diet is needed to help prevent them from reforming.
The Cons (Risks & Challenges):
High Recurrence Rate: Certain breeds—especially small breeds like Shih Tzus—are genetically predisposed to forming bladder stones. Even with successful surgery, stones can return if a strict lifestyle change isn't maintained.
Surgical Discomfort & Stress: A cystotomy is an invasive procedure requiring deep anesthesia and general abdominal incisions, which means strict crate rest, pain medications, and minimal activity for 10 to 14 days post-op.
Chronic Secondary Infections: The presence of bladder stones alters the urinary environment, making dogs highly susceptible to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and irritation before and during their long-term healing phase.❤️
Recovery Reminder for Hurley’s Family:
Expect some minor blood spotting in his urine for the first 48 to 72 hours as his internal bladder lining heals—this is completely normal. Please make sure to double-check his physical medication labels to confirm his post-op dosages. Keep him calm, warm, and away from stairs or high furniture!
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PET PARENTS 🚨
If your dog is experiencing symptoms of urinary bladder stones—such as frequent straining, frequent urination in small amounts, blood in the urine, or accidents in the house—or if you face a sudden urinary emergency, please message our BARKSITE ANIMAL CLINIC page right away so our medical team can assist you!
Let's send lots of love and quick-healing vibes to Hurley in the comments! 👇🐶❤️
