Chapter 199

Urocystolithiasis occurs commonly in dogs and cats. Although medical dissolution protocols are available for some types of uroliths (e.g., struvite, urate, and cystine), alternative methods of managing urocystoliths often are pursued because of failure of dissolution, inability to attempt dissolution, or lack of dissolution protocols (e.g., for calcium oxalate stones) (Bartges and Lane, 2003). Open cystotomy is the conventional means for removing urocystoliths; however, minimally invasive techniques such as transurethral cystoscopy and laser lithotripsy in female dogs and cats (Adams et al, 2008; Lulich et al, 2009) and laparoscopically or cystoscopically assisted cystotomy in male and female pets (Libermann et al, 2011; Rawlings et al, 2003; Runge et al, 2011) are becoming more commonplace. Minilaparotomy-assisted cystoscopic retrieval maximizes the advantages of both and avoids the equipment and expertise required for laparoscopy. Rather than use a laparoscope to assist in urinary bladder identification and entry, which requires additional specialized equipment and establishment of pneumoperitoneum, minilaparotomy-assisted cystoscopy relies on the surgeon to isolate the apex of the urinary bladder and temporarily fasten it to the linea alba, which allows cystoscopy and stone removal to be performed through a small stab incision in the urinary bladder wall.