Joseph Bisignano, DVM, joined Alicam as an internal medicine consultant in 2015. He expanded his professional activities in 2021 by joining the Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital as head of the internal medicine department. During his career as a veterinary professional, Joseph Bisignano, DVM, has gained experience in numerous procedures, including bladder stone removal.
Individuals with dogs or cats that have been diagnosed with a bladder stone should follow the veterinarian's advice regarding which course of treatment will have the most positive outcome. In some cases, vets can address the stones through nonsurgical means, including dietary changes. If a veterinarian believes surgery is the best option for treatment, pet parents must choose between traditional bladder stone removal and percutaneous cystolithotomy, a minimally invasive procedure with several advantages over traditional bladder stone surgery.
The minimally invasive procedure has a higher success rate than the traditional procedure. In addition, while many vets routinely perform the traditional procedure, animals with certain health risks or a low tolerance to anesthesia are not good candidates.
The minimally invasive procedure also results in less pain for the animal and offers a faster recovery. Finally, dogs or cats with bladder stones removed via percutaneous cystolithotomy are less likely to develop more bladder stones later.
