Cystotomy experiences?

[Wetherill]

Very very anxious and emotional pet owner here. My baby boy Bercy (he’s just over 4) has three very small stones embedded in the wall of his bladder. He is not having any pain or blockages, but due to the possibility of complications/emergencies in the future, his vet suggested a cystotomy, which I have scheduled for next week.
Since I am someone who struggles with OCD and anxiety, I have been a bit bedridden with sorrow since scheduling the procedure. The idea of losing my baby is extremely overwhelming for me and due to my anxiety disorder I always expect the worst.
Don’t hold back due to my emotional nature— I’m just wondering if anyone has any experiences with cystotomies they’d like to share? I really am skeptical of so many articles saying it has up to a 50% death rate. That’s unbelievably terrifying to me and I’m unsure it’s accurate. Just looking for some anecdotes to listen to others experiences

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

HUGS

I can understand why your vet would like to remove the bladder completely, seeing that several stones are embedded in the walls, which would make for a rather higher risk operation with potential bladder trauma and a higher risk of GA related post-op complications because of the longer duration your boy would be under if just the stones were removed.

But I don't think we have ever have come across a wholesale bladder removal on here; certainly not a successful one that I can remember, I am very sorry to say. It is not an operation that is often considered or attempted.

My heart goes out to you, as I so wish I had better news for you. For guinea pigs, this is an operation that is unfortunately still very much right at the cutting edge.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Sorry you are in such a difficult situation
Holding you in my thoughts

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I'm very sorry.
My Kylie had a bladder stone removed recently that was strongly attached to the bladder wall. It was a difficult operation but luckily my vet is very experienced. Kylie recovered quickly.
But she was in a lot of pain before the operation. She got a lot of pain medication but I only realized after the operation when her behaviour and the behaviour of the other piggies in the group changed so much to the better, how bad the pain must have been.

But I've also never heard of a complete bladder removal.

 

[weepweeps]

Very very anxious and emotional pet owner here. My baby boy Bercy (he’s just over 4) has three very small stones embedded in the wall of his bladder. He is not having any pain or blockages, but due to the possibility of complications/emergencies in the future, his vet suggested a cystotomy, which I have scheduled for next week.
Since I am someone who struggles with OCD and anxiety, I have been a bit bedridden with sorrow since scheduling the procedure. The idea of losing my baby is extremely overwhelming for me and due to my anxiety disorder I always expect the worst.
Don’t hold back due to my emotional nature— I’m just wondering if anyone has any experiences with cystotomies they’d like to share? I really am skeptical of so many articles saying it has up to a 50% death rate. That’s unbelievably terrifying to me and I’m unsure it’s accurate. Just looking for some anecdotes to listen to others experiences

I’m so sorry. I don’t have any experiences to share. I just wanted to send hugs to you

 

[YvonneBlue]

Maybe get a second opinion from another guinea pig savvy vet.. A couple of my piggies have had successful bladder stone removal ops. However, they do seem prone to repeated stones. My vet recommends a low calcium diet and potassium citrate post op, so maybe speak to your vet about this.