{"id":127851,"date":"2025-05-12T17:36:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T17:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?p=127851"},"modified":"2025-05-12T17:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T17:36:12","slug":"noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:20px\"><\/div><div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#d8d8d8;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><b>Abstract<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">A cystotomy is an invasive procedure that involves a lengthy recovery period as well as risks for complications, such as abdominal urine leakage, postoperative infection, postoperative pain, and incomplete cystolith removal. Three noninvasive methods for cystolith removal have been developed to offer safer, less traumatic alternatives to surgery: voiding urohydropropulsion; catheter-assisted retrieval; and cystoscopy with the use of laser lithotripsy, stone retrieval baskets, and\/or an Ellik bladder evacuator.<\/p>\n<p><b>Take-Home Points <\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">Noninvasive methods of cystolith removal are associated with quicker recovery times and lower complication risks than surgical methods.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Voiding urohydropropulsion and catheter-assisted retrieval require minimal equipment and expertise and are effective for removing small stones.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">To remove larger stones, cystoscopy can be coupled with other tools (e.g., laser lithotripsy, stone retrieval basket, Ellik bladder evacuator); cystoscopy also enables visualization to verify that all stones are removed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">U<\/span><span class=\"s1\">roliths are solid masses or stones that form in the urinary tract, including the kidneys (nephroliths), bladder (cystoliths), ureters (ureteroliths), and urethra (urethroliths). Uroliths are composed of minerals that crystallize and aggregate over time. Uroliths can cause significant health problems, such as painful urination, blood in the urine, urinary tract infections, and urinary blockages that are life threatening when severe. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The formation of uroliths is not an illness or disease but rather a complication from an underlying disorder (e.g., infection that can lead to struvite uroliths, metabolic defects such as hyperuricosuria in Dalmatians that can lead to ammonium urate uroliths). In many cases, the underlying cause is not identified. However, the result is an oversaturation of urine with 1\u00a0or more crystal precursors that leads to stone formation.<sup>1 <\/sup>This article will focus on cystoliths.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">How are cystoliths usually removed?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Traditionally, cystotomy, a surgical incision into the bladder wall, has been the preferred method to remove cystoliths. However, cystotomy carries risks for complications, including urine leakage, wound dehiscence, and incomplete stone removal; complications have been reported for 20% of canine patients.<sup>2<\/sup> Furthermore, suture material in the bladder wall can serve as a nidus for future stone formation. One study found that 9.4% of stones removed by cystotomy were induced by suture.<sup>3<\/sup> In addition, clients frequently reported that postoperative pain caused a delayed return to normal function for their dog.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Noninvasive methods of removing cystoliths are becoming the gold standard in veterinary care and include voiding urohydropropulsion; catheter-assisted retrieval; and cystoscopy with use of laser lithotripsy, stone retrieval baskets, and\/or an Ellik bladder evacuator (EE). Although all but the catheter-assisted retrieval method require general anesthesia, they often take less time than a cystotomy and do not require an incision. If a patient experiences postprocedural pain, it is typically brief and mild.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">What is voiding urohydropropulsion?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Voiding urohydropropulsion involves infusing saline into the bladder via a urethral catheter, positioning the patient vertically, and applying pressure over the bladder to expel the infusion along with the stones. The necessary supplies are a bag of warm saline, a urethral catheter, and a collection container. Lifting the patient so that its spine is vertical to the floor encourages the stones to fall toward the neck of the bladder and pass through the urethra (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE\u00a01<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). Intermittently agitating the bladder while applying pressure promotes suspension of the stones in the saline infusion for more effective evacuation. A 10-Fr catheter will typically permit voiding of stones up to 3 mm in diameter.<sup>4<\/sup> Because of the risk for urethral obstruction, voiding urohydropropulsion should not be attempted with male cats.<sup>5<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_127854\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig1.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-127854\" class=\"wp-image-127854 \" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig1.png 864w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig1-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig1-768x1024.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-127854\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. The author assisting in voiding urohydropropulsion<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">What is catheter-assisted stone retrieval?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Catheter-assisted stone retrieval is a noninvasive method of removing small stones from the bladder of male dogs. The necessary supplies are a 35- or 60-mL syringe, a urinary catheter, and saline. The patient is placed in lateral recumbency, and a urinary catheter is aseptically inserted into the bladder. Saline is flushed through the catheter into the bladder. The bladder is intermittently agitated while a syringe is used to aspirate the saline and stones (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 2A<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). To prevent bladder overdistention, the volume of infused saline must be limited to 10 mL\/kg. Catheter fenestrations can be made with iris scissors to help aspirate stones into the syringe (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 2B<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">); however, to prevent the catheter tip from breaking off in the bladder, the edges of the fenestrations must be smooth and not too deep (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 2C<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-image-carousel  su-image-carousel-has-spacing su-image-carousel-crop su-image-carousel-crop-4-3 su-image-carousel-has-lightbox su-image-carousel-has-outline su-image-carousel-adaptive su-image-carousel-slides-style-default su-image-carousel-controls-style-dark su-image-carousel-align-center\" style=\"max-width:70%\" data-flickity-options='{\"groupCells\":true,\"cellSelector\":\".su-image-carousel-item\",\"adaptiveHeight\":false,\"cellAlign\":\"left\",\"prevNextButtons\":true,\"pageDots\":false,\"autoPlay\":5000,\"imagesLoaded\":true,\"contain\":true,\"selectedAttraction\":0.025,\"friction\":0.28}' id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 2A. Flushing the bladder for catheter-assisted stone retrieval.\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A-1024x577.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2A.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span>Figure 2A. Flushing the bladder for catheter-assisted stone retrieval.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2B.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 2B. Cutting the fenestration with iris scissors.\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"864\" height=\"734\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2B.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2B.png 864w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2B-300x255.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2B-768x652.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px\" \/><span>Figure 2B. Cutting the fenestration with iris scissors.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2C.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 2C. Fenestrating the catheter.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"817\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2C.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2C.png 1008w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2C-300x243.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig2C-768x622.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px\" \/><span>Figure 2C. Fenestrating the catheter.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><script id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script\">if(window.SUImageCarousel){setTimeout(function() {window.SUImageCarousel.initGallery(document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4\"))}, 0);}var su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script=document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script\");if(su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script){su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script.parentNode.removeChild(su_image_carousel_69e89f88170a4_script);}<\/script>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">How is cystoscopy superior to cystotomy for confirming stone removal?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Through an endoscope, cystoscopy provides the ability to visualize the urethra and urinary bladder, which enables confirmation that all stones are removed. In male dogs, a flexible ureteroscope is passed into the penile urethra to visualize the urethra and urinary bladder. A stone retrieval basket can be passed through the endoscope channel to collect and remove stones by retracting the endoscope. In female patients, a rigid endoscope is passed into the urethra and bladder via the vulva. A stone basket is then passed through the biopsy channel of the endoscope sheath to collect and remove stones by retracting the endoscope (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 3<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). This method can be used for stones less than 5 mm in diameter in female dogs, less than 4 mm in diameter in female cats, and less than 4 mm in diameter in male dogs (limited by the size of the penile urethra).<sup>6<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_127859\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-127859\" class=\" wp-image-127859\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3.png 864w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig3-768x764.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-127859\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 3. Basketing the stone.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">What is laser lithotripsy and how does it work?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The most common laser is holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 4<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). Holmium is strongly absorbed by water, which produces a thermal effect that causes stones to vaporize or fracture. Thus, laser lithotripsy can be used in patients with stones too large to pass through the urethra, effectively fracturing them into smaller pieces that will comfortably pass. Newer lithotripsy machines with more power can turn stones to dust, rather than fragments, making stone removal more efficient.<sup>7<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_127860\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-127860\" class=\" wp-image-127860\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4.png 864w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig4-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-127860\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 4. Lithotripsy laser on stone.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p3\">What is an Ellik bladder evacuator and how is it used?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">An EE is a 3-ball device that attaches to the sheath of a rigid endoscope and provides a way to flush saline into the bladder and then apply suction to remove fluid and stones. Cystoliths collect in the gravity-dependent ball of the device and are easily retrieved for stone analysis (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 5A and 5B<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). The device was originally designed to collect pieces of bladder tumors after transurethral resection, a procedure that uses cautery to remove or debulk bladder tumors, and is now most often used for patients with many cystoliths.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-image-carousel  su-image-carousel-has-spacing su-image-carousel-crop su-image-carousel-crop-4-3 su-image-carousel-has-lightbox su-image-carousel-has-outline su-image-carousel-adaptive su-image-carousel-slides-style-default su-image-carousel-controls-style-dark su-image-carousel-align-center\" style=\"max-width:70%\" data-flickity-options='{\"groupCells\":true,\"cellSelector\":\".su-image-carousel-item\",\"adaptiveHeight\":false,\"cellAlign\":\"left\",\"prevNextButtons\":true,\"pageDots\":false,\"autoPlay\":5000,\"imagesLoaded\":true,\"contain\":true,\"selectedAttraction\":0.025,\"friction\":0.28}' id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5A.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 5A. Ellik bladder evacuator (EE) usage.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5A-768x1024.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5A-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5A-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5A.png 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><span>Figure 5A. Ellik bladder evacuator (EE) usage.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 5B. EE with stones.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"763\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B-763x1024.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B-763x1024.png 763w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B-223x300.png 223w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B-768x1031.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig5B.png 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px\" \/><span>Figure 5B. EE with stones.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><script id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script\">if(window.SUImageCarousel){setTimeout(function() {window.SUImageCarousel.initGallery(document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9\"))}, 0);}var su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script=document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script\");if(su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script){su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script.parentNode.removeChild(su_image_carousel_69e89f88176f9_script);}<\/script>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">An EE works best with a 15-Fr resectoscope that uses a 2.9-mm 0<\/span><span class=\"s3\">\u00b0<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> telescope and biopsy bridge. The fit between the EE and resectoscope sheath needs to be snug. The EE is filled with saline, and the clinician positions the rigid endoscope with the resectoscope at the neck of the bladder. Then, the telescope and bridge are removed. The EE is connected to the resectoscope sheath by using a custom 3D-printed adaptor (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE\u00a06<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_127863\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-127863\" class=\" wp-image-127863\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6.png 1152w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6-1024x791.png 1024w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig6-768x593.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-127863\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6. 3D-printed adaptor for resectoscope.<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Using a figure-8 motion, the compressible bulb of the EE is alternately depressed and released. Bulb depression infuses saline through the sheath into the bladder. Releasing the bulb creates a vacuum to remove the mixture of saline, urine, cystoliths, and sediment. During the procedure, a veterinary nurse must keep a hand on the patient\u2019s abdomen over the bladder. The veterinary nurse should monitor bladder size and turgidity to minimize the risk for overfilling the bladder, which can cause bladder mucosal tearing. In addition, a veterinary nurse can facilitate stone removal by agitating the bladder during suction (at the release of the bulb). Periodically, the EE is removed and replaced by the endoscope and bridge to see if all stones have been successfully removed (see<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b> VIDEO 1<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">).<sup>8<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-youtube su-u-responsive-media-yes\"><iframe width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xboqWqL0nPA?\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture\" title=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">For male dogs, a perineal approach to the straight portion of the urethra is used to enable the use of the resectoscope and EE (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE\u00a07A<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). A small incision is made at the perineum, and a Foley catheter is placed in the urethra with the balloon at the flexure to dilate the part of the urethra that is closer to the perineum. Using fluoroscopy and a flexible endoscope, the urethra is accessed by inserting a 2-in, 18-g hypodermic needle through the perineum into the urethra. When the Foley balloon is punctured by the hypodermic needle, the catheter is removed. A 0.025-in hydrophilic guidewire<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>is passed through the needle until it reaches the bladder. The area from the perineum to the urethra is dilated with a 12-Fr vascular dilator passed over the guidewire, then again with a 16-Fr dilator (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE\u00a07B<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). A 16-Fr peel-away introducer access sheath is passed over the guidewire and then removed (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE\u00a07C<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). The peel-away portion is adjusted to an appropriate length to enable visualization of the neck of the bladder through the endoscope and then stapled to the perineum. Through the access sheath, the resectoscope and EE can be used for stone removal (<\/span><span class=\"s2\"><b>FIGURE 8<\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">). If needed, lithotripsy can be used on larger stones before stone removal with an EE.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-image-carousel  su-image-carousel-has-spacing su-image-carousel-crop su-image-carousel-crop-4-3 su-image-carousel-has-lightbox su-image-carousel-has-outline su-image-carousel-adaptive su-image-carousel-slides-style-default su-image-carousel-controls-style-dark su-image-carousel-align-center\" style=\"max-width:70%\" data-flickity-options='{\"groupCells\":true,\"cellSelector\":\".su-image-carousel-item\",\"adaptiveHeight\":false,\"cellAlign\":\"left\",\"prevNextButtons\":true,\"pageDots\":false,\"autoPlay\":5000,\"imagesLoaded\":true,\"contain\":true,\"selectedAttraction\":0.025,\"friction\":0.28}' id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7A.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 7A. Perineal approach.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7A-768x1024.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7A-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7A-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7A.png 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><span>Figure 7A. Perineal approach.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7B.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 7B. Dilation for perineal approach.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7B-768x1024.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7B-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7B-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7B.png 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><span>Figure 7B. Dilation for perineal approach.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7C.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 7C. Access sheath with perineal approach.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7C-768x1024.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7C-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7C-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig7C.png 864w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><span>Figure 7C. Access sheath with perineal approach.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item\"><div class=\"su-image-carousel-item-content\"><a href=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig8.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-caption=\"Figure 8. Use of an Ellik bladder evacuator with the perineal approach.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"748\" src=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig8.png\" class=\"\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig8.png 1008w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig8-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_Fig8-768x570.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px\" \/><span>Figure 8. Use of an Ellik bladder evacuator with the perineal approach.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><script id=\"su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script\">if(window.SUImageCarousel){setTimeout(function() {window.SUImageCarousel.initGallery(document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06\"))}, 0);}var su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script=document.getElementById(\"su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script\");if(su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script){su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script.parentNode.removeChild(su_image_carousel_69e89f8817f06_script);}<\/script>\n<h2 class=\"p4\">Summary<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures. Through methods such as voiding urohydropulpulsion; catheter-assisted retrieval; and cystoscopy with the use of laser lithotripsy, stone retrieval baskets, and\/or an EE, veterinary professionals can effectively manage cystoliths with improved clinical outcomes and reduced patient morbidity. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":236,"featured_media":127868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[812],"tags":[145],"class_list":["post-127851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-summer-2025","tag-peer-reviewed","column-qa-emerging-topics","clinical_topics-internal-medicine","clinical_topics-urology-renal-medicine"],"acf":{"hide_sidebar":false,"hide_sidebar_ad":false,"hide_all_ads":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals | Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarynurse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"990\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"419\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Marissa Delamarter\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Marissa Delamarter\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Marissa Delamarter\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/aae8b57232625dd9c50c1f00d261e1de\"},\"headline\":\"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1635,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Peer Reviewed\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Summer 2025\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"MedicalWebPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/\",\"name\":\"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals | Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png\",\"width\":990,\"height\":419},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/internal-medicine\\\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/parasitology\\\/the-veterinary-nurses-role-in-heartworm-testing-and-treatment\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse\",\"description\":\"Peer-Reviewed Journal for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Today's Veterinary Nurse\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/tvn-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/tvn-logo.png\",\"width\":231,\"height\":77,\"caption\":\"Today's Veterinary Nurse\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/todaysveterinarynurse\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/todaysveterinarynurse\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/todaysveterinarynurse\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/thenavc\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/aae8b57232625dd9c50c1f00d261e1de\",\"name\":\"Marissa Delamarter\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Marissa Delamarter\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\\\/author\\\/mdelamarter\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals | Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse","description":"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals","og_description":"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.","og_url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/","og_site_name":"Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarynurse","article_published_time":"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":990,"height":419,"url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Marissa Delamarter","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Marissa Delamarter","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/"},"author":{"name":"Marissa Delamarter","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aae8b57232625dd9c50c1f00d261e1de"},"headline":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals","datePublished":"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/"},"wordCount":1635,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png","keywords":["Peer Reviewed"],"articleSection":["Summer 2025"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","MedicalWebPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/","name":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals | Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png","datePublished":"2025-05-12T17:36:12+00:00","description":"Noninvasive methods for removing cystoliths represent a significant advance in veterinary medicine, offering safer and less invasive alternatives to traditional surgical procedures.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/05\/Secoura_NoninvasiveCystolithRemoval_TVNSummer25_MainImage.png","width":990,"height":419},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/internal-medicine\/noninvasive-methods-for-removing-cystoliths-in-small-animals\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/parasitology\/the-veterinary-nurses-role-in-heartworm-testing-and-treatment\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Noninvasive Methods for Removing Cystoliths in Small Animals"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/","name":"Today&#039;s Veterinary Nurse","description":"Peer-Reviewed Journal for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#organization","name":"Today's Veterinary Nurse","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/10\/tvn-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/10\/tvn-logo.png","width":231,"height":77,"caption":"Today's Veterinary Nurse"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarynurse","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/todaysveterinarynurse\/https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/todaysveterinarynurse","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/thenavc"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/#\/schema\/person\/aae8b57232625dd9c50c1f00d261e1de","name":"Marissa Delamarter","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5dc090334d16394e7b167a6ab8f68423224f6269541503e96e9c22dec0425e6a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Marissa Delamarter"},"url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/author\/mdelamarter\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/236"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127851"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":127875,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127851\/revisions\/127875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/127868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}