California.The first veterinary practice in the state to offer thulium laser lithotripsy.
The Procedure
Stones, reduced to dust.
Bladder stones cause straining, frequent accidents, and bloody urine. In a male pet, a stone that lodges in the urethra is an emergency.Lithotripsy breaks them apart with laser energy delivered through a scope, along the natural urinary tract. No incision into the abdomen. No cutting into the bladder wall.
The Technology
Finer than holmium.
Most veterinary lithotripsy uses an older holmium laser. Thulium delivers a finer, continuous beam that reduces a stone to dust rather than chipping it into fragments.Less material left behind. Less irritation to the bladder wall. And enough control to work safely in cats and small-breed dogs.
Candidacy
Is your pet a fit?
Most female dogs are excellent candidates. Many male dogs and cats are too, depending on stone size, stone type, and the width of the urethra.Very large stone burdens still do better with a cystotomy -an open incision into the bladder, with sutures and a longer recovery. After imaging, we will tell you honestly which fits.Stones are often found during cystoscopy, and we can usually treat them in the same anesthetic event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog has bladder stones?
Straining to urinate, frequent small accidents, blood in the urine, or licking at the area. A male pet who cannot urinate at all is an emergency -call us immediately.
Does my pet need surgery, or is there another option?
Many pets who would once have needed open bladder surgery can now have their stones broken up with the laser and cleared the same day, with no incision.
How long is recovery from laser lithotripsy?
Most pets are comfortable within a day or two. With no surgical incision there are no sutures to protect and far less activity restriction.
Why Choose OsoExperience You Can TrustOver 20 years of advanced surgical expertise and minimally invasive specialization -caring for your pet at the highest level.Personal Follow-UpA real member of our team checks on your pet the day after every visit. No automation, just genuine care.Compassion at Every StepOur fear-free philosophy means your pet is met with calm, gentle hands -from the front door to recovery.
Owner Guides
Read before you decide.
Two plain-English guides on bladder stones -what your options are, and how the two procedures compare.
