Big Ben’s 2nd Surgery - Scrotal Urethrostomy

Big Ben the Basset Hound was operated previously for bladder stones which made urinating very painful and uncomfortable. 

Big Ben had to have another operation to prevent the formation of new stones so that he can urinate with ease.

Two weeks after Big Ben was rescued from the streets of Malacca, 

he had to go through the surgery to remove his bladder stones.

Shocking amount of bladder stones that
were removed from Big Ben.

A cystotomy is a surgical opening at the wall of the bladder and 

to allow the veterinarian to obtain biopsy samples of the bladder. 

Dr Alice, a volunteer veterinarian from Singapore
doing the first operation on Big Ben,
a cystotomy which is the removal of bladder stones.

Condition of Big Ben’s swollen bladder. 

Imagine the pain and discomfort that he went through 

before the surgery. 

To read about Big Ben's rescue please click here.

Big Ben being scrubbed and preparation for surgery 

before the Scrotal Urethrostomy. 

Bladder stones no more! 

The Scrotal Urethrostomy had to done in order for Big Ben
to urinate through an opening from his urethral 
instead of having to pass through his penis. 
The urethral at the new opening is larger 
for any new stones formation to pass through.

Dr Alice taking a well-deserved break after the surgeries 

and mingling with the pack of dogs at the Ark.

Click to view  Happy Big Ben

This is Big Ben’s second surgery and hopefully his final surgery to correct his bladder stones problem.

The animals at Noah's Ark are fortunate to have passionate veterinarians like Dr Alice who volunteer their time to help with the surgeries for the animals.

Setting aside their busy schedules, they are willing to help out to make a difference in the lives of the animals. 

Thank you to all our volunteers.

Written by Darren Chan

Footnote:

What is a urethrostomy?
A urethrostomy is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the urethra, the tube through which urine flows from the bladder and is voided. The surgery is performed to correct a urethral obstruction, which can be caused by protein plugs, stones, trauma, or scarring (stricture). A urethral obstruction is a serious, life-threatening condition, therefore urethtrostomies are often performed on an emergency basis. In male cats, a perineal urethrostomy, or PU, is performed and in dogs a scrotal urethrostomy is performed.