Bladder stones - Surgery for older chin?

[lostinspiration]

My 11-year-old chin, Jordan, has a bladder stone and infection. He is still able to urinate right now, so it's not critical, but he does have some blood in his urine that prompted today's vet visit and discovery. They gave me antibiotics to treat the infection and I'm bringing him back in Tuesday for a consultation for surgery with the senior exotics vet. The vet I spoke with today was hesitant to recommend surgery due to his age and the chance that he could just form another stone.

I'm concerned about putting him through a serious surgery, but at the same time, he's otherwise happy and healthy. No tooth issues or history of tooth issues (they checked today). He's not quite as rigorous with his grooming as he used to be, but mostly he doesn't mind if I work out any knots in his fur that he can't get. I mostly just don't want him to suffer. I lost my degu suddenly last year and it was so hard seeing him with a little oxygen mask on his tiny face hugging a hot water bottle. I don't think I can handle seeing Jordan like that. But I hate to not treat him since he is still enjoying life.

Has anyone gone through this surgery with an older chin before? How did they do?

 

[tunes]

I had a 10-year-old chin spayed and she did great. I think it depends on the chin. If they are healthy and in good shape, then it is definitely something I would consider.

Here's the thing - what are your options if you don't do it? What will happen if the stone stays there? Will it eventually shift, travel, and block his ureter? If that happens, I can't imagine the pain he would be in, as well as not being able to urinate. So, I would ask the senior vet - what happens if I don't do it?

Too bad they don't do laser surgery on chins the way they do on people to break up stones.

 

[lostinspiration]

If they couldn't do the surgery, I'd rather just put him to sleep now than wait for it to totally obstruct... seems like an awful way to go and if I'm at work when it happens I won't even be able to do anything. That is a very good question, thank you. I'm making a list of questions. Good to know your chin did well with surgery!

 

[Godofgods]

i know how ya feel. Im waiting to get a bladder stone removed from my boy as well. But he started losing a ton of weight and it was no longer a good option or surgery. So iv been trying to get his weight up these last two or so months.

 

[lostinspiration]

Update: The stone shifted and started to obstruct his urethra, so we did the surgery Tuesday. I took him home Wednesday afternoon and he hasn't pooped or drank anything since. The only movement I've seen is from one side of the cage to another and he seems to be having difficulty moving at all. Very concerned.

 

[Chinmama]

Do you have critical care for hand feeding and pain medications?

 

[ticklechin]

Was the issue of motility drugs brought up?

 

[lostinspiration]

I did not have Critical Care (yes, I know... I have a shipment arriving today from Amazon for the future) so I took him back to the vet last night since he was getting dehydrated. They are getting Critical Care into him along with fluids and he made a few poops overnight. The vet wants to keep him tonight as well. They did give me Metacam for the pain and inflammation along with the antibiotics.

I'm not certain about motility drugs... I'll have to call and ask.