Laser lithotripsy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove your pet’s bladder, urethra and ureteral stones. A lighted instrument with a camera on the end called a cystoscope is used to help locate the stones. The laser fiber is advanced within the scope and when directly applied to the stone it is used to obliterate or break the stone into many small pieces.
Once small enough, the fragments are removed with a small basket or when possible flushed out through the urethra using saline. Surgical incisions are not required during this procedure, but anesthesia is important to ensure complete removal of all the stones.
Not every patient with bladder stones is an appropriate candidate for this procedure and careful selection is required.
