Bladder-Stone- Surgery Scheduled Monday

Our Phoebe is scheduled for surgery on Monday.



August 2010 - I had to take her to an emergency vet with bladder issues.
They just did a stick test - prescribed antibiotics.
She was doing well until two weeks ago - at first sign - I took her into our Vet.

Vet couldn't get a urine sample - she's peeing drops, in frequent trips to the litter pan.

Vet prescribed more antibiotics - no signs of improvement until about the 7th dose.

She completed her antibiotics, (Sunday 11/21/10), but by Wednesday - was back at it.

Not good, eh! Only 2 days off antibiotics and the problems are back.

Back to vet yesterday - couldn't get a urine sample - so took her in today for an extended stay so they could collect urine.

3 hours later, vet called - Phoebe needs surgery - Dr. saw a stone in her bladder.

We have her on antibiotics, and pain meds (Buprenex) 2 x's day.

I've decided (on my own) that I will not give a dose of Buprenex Sunday night, since she is scheduled for surgery on Monday a.m.. Currently, the dose is at the 10 o'clock time - a.m., then p.m.

I don't want ANYthing to cause an issue or conflict with anesthesia while she is in surgery.

(The only side-effect from the pain meds that I've observed is her enlarged pupils.)

I'm interested in reading about other caregivers' experience with this surgery, especially the care and recovery after the surgery.

Any other precautions that I could/should take that you can think of?

That's encouraging information.

Did you have to change the diet?

She had successful surgery on Monday. I brought her home today, Tuesday.
I saw the before and after xrays. She had two stones, one was very small and broke up easily, the other one is being examined for type - Dr. says it will take a couple of weeks for the results. Meanwhile, she's now on Royal Canin Urinary SO - same as my oldest cat - so feeding time will be less stressful.

They shaved almost all of her little abdomen, and some of her chest.
Dr. said that Phoebe had quite a collection of tummy fat, and had to make a little larger incision in order to get to the bladder. I asked her if she did a tummy tuck, too.

She will be on the Orbax antibiotic for another 10 days.

Tonight, she's doing a lot of grooming, tomorrow I'll help her if she'll let me.

Thank you for your good words of encouragement - I'm thankful this part is over, and hope that we'll never have to do this again!