my cat is getting a bladder stone removed on saturday(cystotomy-i believe) I am very nervous, should i be?

Question

He was at the vet two days ago because hes been peeing blood and frequently peeing all over the place, for three years--but it has gotten bad, i had my mom take him to the vet.He is terrified of the vet, they had to give him a mild tranquilizer just to take his blood-he is scheduled for this surgery on saturday, i am very nervous he is a13 year old cat, very healthy other then this problem, if anything happens to him i will really not know what to do, i dont lke to think of him as being alone at the vet and terrified--does anyone have any tips on how to calm myself when it comes to this, or does anyone know how serious this surgery is, he has to stay in the vet for two night after it---and will be on pain med. i love this cat with all my heart :(

Answer 1

It is a serious operation and I can understand your being nervous. But the surgery usually has a very good outcome and corrects a potentially deadly condition.

You were right in suspecting something serious was wrong with the cat, your mother was right in taking him to a competent vet, and most of all the vet you chose was right in being able to correctly diagnose the condition and knowing that surgery is the only reliable treatment.

It is not uncommon for an ill cat to need a mild tranquilizer while getting a blood sample taken. (That is another indication that you have a good vet, by the way -- getting a pre-op blood panel on the cat can be very valuable for judging his present condition and, by comparison, his post-op progress.) Drawing blood requires that an animal's leg be held perfectly still, and if there is one thing a cat hates, it is being held firmly in a strange position. I have heard cats carry on as if they were being skinned with a dull knife, when actually nothing had happened yet except that they were being held for the blood draw. Struggling and getting upset over the blood draw procedure would not be good for a sick cat, so a mild tranquilizer for your cat was good medicine.

Don't worry about your cat languishing at the vet's, terrified. He will be given calming medicine before and after the surgery, plus pain medication afterwards. He will be sleepy and rather blissed-out.

He may have to stay longer than two days afterwards...be prepared and don't get upset. He will have to stay until it is certain that he can urinate freely and there is no blood in his urine.

Ask your vet if you can visit him after the surgery. If you do, just be calm and pet him, don't be emotional because that will upset your cat and he needs rest to recover.

Even though he is 13 years old, chances are he will do fine. Thirteen isn't that old (and again, compliments to your mother for not deciding that expensive surgery would be wasted on an "old" cat) and if he is otherwise healthy, he should be even healthier after this painful and debilitating bladder stone is removed.

Let us know how he does, or send me an email by clicking on my avatar.

Answer 2

Dont worry. This is a pretty common surgery and it will probably go just fine. A Cystostomy is where they make a small incision in to the bladder and remove the stone. It's really not that bad and is really less invasive then a spay surgery. The only major risk is the anesthesia wich he will be monitored really close while he's under. Trust your vet clinic that they will do what is best for your cat. They should know what they are doing. Good Luck with your cats surgery and relax everything will be fine.

Answer 3

You can get some Rescue Remedy from a health foods store tomorrow. A bottle is about $18. Shake the bottle very well and put three to four drops on the fur between the cat's ears three or four times a day - starting as soon as you have it and continuing with applications every fifteen minutes before he gets into the vet's for surgery. It is totally benign and will not interfere with any medications before or after the surgery. If you get to visit him at the vet's, take it with you and put it on him every fifteen mintutes while you are there. When you bring him home continue to treat him as long as he seems stressed or uncomfortable.

It will definitely help him handle his stress.

I am really surprised the surgery is being done on Saturday as most vet offices close at noon then. Will there be someone there to monitor him that afternoon, evening and on Sunday? Frankly, I wouldn't do it on a Saturday if there will be no one there to monitor him. I don't think the surgery per se is "dangerous" or terribly difficult and if there are problems with anesthesia recovery, sutures opening, etc. it is most likely to arise in the first 24 post-surgical hours.

I would rather hear that you could bring him home and keep him in a carrier following the surgery. That way you could be aware if problems arose and get him to an emergency vet if necessary.

I hate to alarm you and wish you would check those details out. My Mincho had surgery to remove a tumor from his bladder a year ago and he had no complications or any significant post-surgical problems.

Do not carry negative or worrisome thoughts in your head about it. Use the Rescue Remedy for yourself. You can put a few drops in a small amount of filtered water in a glass and sip it regularly or just put a few drops on your tongue.

Answer 4

This is something that does happen under most cases there is absolutely nothing to worry about but like any surgery there is always a chance something may go wrong. I rather say this then the answer don't worry he will be fine, noone knows. You can be nervous but it's normal and as I said it's problabley will be just fine.
You can ask your vet if you can visit your cat several times a day.
God forbid anything goes wrong i'm sure you've given a good and hapy life he has had a long life. But Please if anything like this happens don't wait to have it done. Anything like passing blood should be taken care of immediately.
Thank goodness it was just a syst and not something worse.

Answer 5

Stay away from fatty greasy foods such pizza, chips, sausages, chops etc. And particularly milk - that was my worse infliction! This will temporarily help you from a major attack but in the long run you are better off removing the gall bladder. Best thing I ever did. The painful attacks get worse each time. Within less than a week of removing the gallbladder you wont know yourself. Minimal pain after keyhole surgery just a slight discomfort for less than a week. Good luck but honestly get the thing out of you as soon as you can - you will never look back on it.

Answer 6

Hi
You have gotten some good answers and i want to address something else. I would bet that your cat is being fed dry foods. Why not right? vets promote it and you hear claims of it being food for their teeth. I am here to tell you that stones, diabetes, kidney disease are usually had by cats eating dry foods. Cats are carnivores and dry foods are loade with carbs as well as things like corn. Canned foods are what is best for your cat and even though your vet may recommend dry food, I hope you will do your own research and make the transition. Take it from someone who has seen this going on for years. You want to address why this happened so it doesn't again. Since you are dependent on your parents cooperating, I know I am asking alot of you. best of luck and hope all turns out good
http://www.catinfo.org/
http://www.catinfo.org/zorans_article.pdf
http://www.catinfo.org/

Answer 7

Cystotomy In Cats

Answer 8

It's totally normal for you to be nervous. Just try to stay positive and try to keep busy so you don't worry about your cat. If he's healthy the surgery shouldn't be too bad. Hope all goes well =)

Answer 9

he should be fine even with his age. they will do bloodwork to make sure all his organs are functioning right. the vets are really good and know what they are doing. he might be sore for a while but i bet he bounces right back.
Good luck to you and your kitty

Answer 10

I am sure everything will go fine. I would probably be nervous too cause it's your pet, but there is probably nothing to worry about.