Cat Needs Kidney Transplant - Would you?

Gisellerina · May 2013

Found out yesterday that my cat needs a kidney transplant. She's 13 years old, otherwise in good health. Cost of surgery is $18,000 to $25,000 plus travel costs out of state. Surgery may not work (only a few more months to live) or may extend her life up to 10 more years, although average is 3-6 years. Assuming you had the money available and would just have to sacrifice some "wants" (i.e. forgo some wedding decorations, wait another year to buy new car, skip a New Year's Eve Vacation, etc) in order to pay for the surgery, would you have the surgery performed?

daria24 · May 2013

We went through something similar. 13 year old cat had cancer under his chin-a form of skin cancer. Our options were to remove the tumor, plus chemo, or let nature take its course. We opted to let things happen. We decided that the surgery/chemo would be extremely painful for him, with no way of knowing how much extra time he would gain from such a surgery. What if we put him through all that, and he ended up only living 6 months?

Thankfully, in the end, it was the right decision. He lived another 1.5 years, and all but the last month he was he usual self.

It's a tough decision, but I've known humans that go through a transplant. It is really, really tough. The anti-rejection drugs have horrible side effects. And you get sicker much easier since your immune system is compromised. I really don't think I could put a cat through that.

smalfrie19 · May 2013

Speaking as someone with professional training in the field you need to ask your self the following question: Will this IMPROVE his quality of life? If not, then please do not put him through the stress of surgery and recovery.

My senior year of high school, we had a cat and she was having liver failure, we tried once to see if we could make her better (she was six) and it didn't work. We made the very difficult decision to euthanize our cat because we did not believe we could give her treatment that would improve her quality of life. Yes, it is sad because they are our children in a sense, but we have to do whats necessary to make them comfortable because they cannot speak.

lyndausvi · May 2013

I would not get the transplant, but not because of the money. We know there is a possibility we will have expensive health issue with Chef when it comes to joints and stuff. We know and accept that. When it comes to something like kidneys we would just let nature take it's course.

ally91 · May 2013

smalfrie19 said:

Speaking as someone with professional training in the field you need to ask your self the following question: Will this IMPROVE his quality of life? If not, then please do not put him through the stress of surgery and recovery.

My senior year of high school, we had a cat and she was having liver failure, we tried once to see if we could make her better (she was six) and it didn't work. We made the very difficult decision to euthanize our cat because we did not believe we could give her treatment that would improve her quality of life. Yes, it is sad because they are our children in a sense, but we have to do whats necessary to make them comfortable because they cannot speak.

This. Last year I was given the option of putting my 8 year old labradoodle in itensive care for her Addison's Disease, it would cost over 10,000$ and the vet said her chances of improving with it were minimal., and it would be a stressful and painful process. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make emotionally, but the easiest and quickest I've made because I knew what was right for her. You have to know your pet, and what they're willing to go through.

Gisellerina · May 2013

Thanks for all the input - strangers are sometimes better at impartial advice than are family and friends. My vet has only had two other patients do this - one lived another five years with decent quality of life (was the kind of cat who didn't mind the daily pills and ivs) and one who died within months of surgery.

I've only had one other cat with a serious medical issue - she got thyroid cancer at age 16. We did the radiation treatment (no chemo, no surgery) and she recovered and lived a normal happy life until she died of old age. But we haven't had any experience with feline transplants - seems like potentially a much more unpleasant experience than radiation.

Other than her daily medications and iv treatments, she seems to be in good spirits now (she doesn't mind needles/injections). But I would hate to make her miserable just so I could keep her alive longer. I'll have to ask about the anti-rejection side effects - I would hate to prolong her life if it was going to be a miserable one.

QueerFemme · May 2013

I agree with everyone else. I'm not voting, but not because it's "just a cat". I vote no becuase of her age, and the strain that will put on her little body.

I once had a dog with an inoperable brain tumor, which was causing her to have seizures. Saying "no" to chemo was breaking my heart, because I felt like I was not giving her a chance at survival. But, she was a 9 year old boxer and boxers typically only live about 10-12 years. So, I knew doing chemo and radiation and all that comes with it would really put a damper on the remaining time she had left.

I ended up doing accupuncture and chiropractic for a year to relieve the seizures, which cost me more than the chemo and radiation would have, but she lived happily for another year and was almost completely seizure free for that year.

I'm not telling the story to suggest that you should try alternate medical avenues, but be realistic about the surgery and what you are putting her through. And whether you are doing so for HER, or because you aren't ready to let her go.

My personal advice is to treat her symptoms and make her super happy and comfy until she is ready to go. I wouldn't put a cat that old through that surgery.

Peledreamsofrain · May 2013

Yeah, my problem with major surgery on elderly animals is that they don't undestand what is being done to them.

All they know is that their quality of life is suddenly in the shitter and humans are now daily cramming pills down their throat. It's enough to send them over the edge into giving up earlier than they would have if left alone.

Gisellerina · May 2013

Cmgilpin, I hadn't even thought about alternative medicine, but your story makes me think I should look into it - even if all it does is help treat her symptoms. I'm definitely not ready to lose her - I'm still grieving my other cat who died last year. But, it wouldn't be fair to put her through something if it makes her remaining life miserable. I'm okay with the surgery if she could recover to a "normal" life, but not if she'll have some of the miserable side effects some of the PPs have brought up. I'm glad I'm getting lots of questions to ask before this afternoon's consultation.

QueerFemme · May 2013

this is sort of random... but, thinking about this reminded me that I have a cool photo of Darcy getting accupuncture. She honestly really enjoyed it. She would lay down on the mat and just sit there and sigh while she was getting poked. It would relax her so much, she was normally asleep in about 5 minutes.

kerbohl · May 2013

It's a tough one, but your cat has already had a good long life, and the transplant sounds like it might not improve her future enough. How long did the vet say she would live with her kidney just as is? You say she is still healthy aside from this?
I love older animals, and it is always so hard with they get health issues that, even with vet treatments, don't improve their quality of life.

Angelface225 · May 2013

I wouldn't do it, mostly because they wouldn't understand. I wonder how they find the donor organs though? They wouldn't be able to use them from animals that had been euthanized because of the medications. Just genuinely curious.

Gisellerina · May 2013

StageManager, yes, she is older. However, the majority of my cats have always lived to be in their late teens/early twenties. So, I think it's possible, although not necessarily probable, that if her kidney issues could be resolved, I would have her for a few more years.

Cmgil, your dog looks adorable getting her treatments (fortunately no needle phobia over here!)

Kerbohl, aside from her kidney problems, she is in very good health. Her hips get a little stiff sometimes, so she gets adequan injections, but other than that no issues. Still active - enjoys her cat toys, purrs a lot, curious about things. The vet couldn't say how long she would live with no transplant - her kidney functionality has rapidly decreased in the last month, so the window of surgery opportunity will close soon. So, maybe only a few months, maybe a couple of more years.

Angelface, they have a donor cat colony on premises. As part of the surgery, the patient's owner must agree to adopt the donor cat as well - come in with one cat, leave with two. So, Frogalina (my cat) would have three kidneys post surgery (her two failed ones plus the donated one) while my new adoptee cat would have only one (because it donated its other kidney to Froggy). So no one dies. (I was really worried about that when I heard organ transplant!)

daria24 · May 2013

Gisellerina said:

Angelface, they have a donor cat colony on premises. As part of the surgery, the patient's owner must agree to adopt the donor cat as well - come in with one cat, leave with two. So, Frogalina (my cat) would have three kidneys post surgery (her two failed ones plus the donated one) while my new adoptee cat would have only one (because it donated its other kidney to Froggy). So no one dies. (I was really worried about that when I heard organ transplant!)

Oy I don't know how I would feel about that. On one hand, that donor cat gets a home. But on the other, the cat doesn't get a say in donating a kidney. Yes it can live fine with only one, but it would make me uncomfortable to think about cats being rescued/raised in order to be a donor for other cats.

QueerFemme · May 2013

StageManager14 said:

Am I the only one a little horrified by the idea of a "donor colony"?

ewww. yeah. I don't like that.

lyndausvi · May 2013

StageManager14 said:

Am I the only one a little horrified by the idea of a "donor colony"?

No not at all.

I'm of the believe that just because the technology exists doesn't mean I should use it. This is one of those cases.

MairePoppy · May 2013

My sweet 2 1/2 year old basset hound was diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia three weeks ago. We're devastated. We took her to a veterinary cancer center to start chemo. Although we know she can't be cured, we're hoping for a 1-2 year or more remission. She's had some really great days since then and a few truly awful days. Today is not good. The vet has told us that we will be deciding next week if the chemo is worth it. I don't think we're going to get the news that we're hoping for. I don't think my pup has long to live.

We decided to try chemo because of her age and because the treatments are done as an outpatient, she likes to ride in the care and she's not afraid of the vet. We take her to the center, she gets her shots and Rxs, we bring her home within an hour. If we had to leave her there, or put her through risky surgery, or if she was fearful,we wouldn't do it.I wouldn't put a 13 year old cat or dog through surgery and follow up treatments. I'd do whatever it took to keep my pet comfortable and happy at home. And when that's no longer possible, I'd have her euthanized.

I'm sorry about your cat.

Gisellerina · May 2013

When I first heard "donor colony", I thought the cats died to donate organs. Which would have been completely horrific. The whole rescued to rescue another cat - I don't know how I feel about that. I haven't really processed the whole situation yet - my cat's kidney values had only been slightly off - we've been monitoring them for a few months now. At last week's check-up, her numbers had skyrocketed and she had lost a pound in about three weeks. Right now, I'm mostly concerned with my cat's well-being and in determining if surgery is an option.

LingerLonger, I didn't mean for the poll phrasing to be offensive. Because all of the veterinarians, specialists, and surgeons have been phrasing my decision in terms of cost rather than quality of life, I was under the assumption that first I had to determine if the cost was something I could and was willing to afford. Next, they will determine if she's eligible. Then if she's eligible, I have to make the final decision (which, I believe, is where they talk to me about quality of life, etc.). I did not mean to imply the decision is only about money - of course it's not. But, I am specifically interested in how people feel about the cost, so I know what to expect from family and friends who will find out. (Assuming I pursue it - as some people have pointed out, the side effects and "recovery" could be so brutal that it would be cruel to put her through that.)

Jessa617 · May 2013

I've got to agree with some of the other ladies here. I wouldn't do it only because of the risk. Yes, it's a lot of money, but if you have a lot, then that's not really an issue.

The issue is that your cat is already considered a senior and 13 is pretty good for a cat with renal failure. Even if the surgery is a success, it's going to be a hard recovery because of her age. She may never get back to "normal". It's a huge risk and I personally wouldn't want to put my cat through that.

As a retired vet tech I've seen many people struggle with decisions like this almost daily. Do ou want to spend 25k to extend her life maybe another year, and even then it may not be a good year? Or spend minimal money and make her as comfortable as possible until it's time for her to go?

Gisellerina · May 2013

Maire, sorry to hear about your puppy. I agree with StageManager - that is heartbreaking. Thank you for the well wishes. We'll be crossing our paws that you get some good news.

Gisellerina · May 2013

Jessalyn, thanks for your professional/experienced input. We've got no vet people in our friends and family circle, so it's good to hear from a third party with experience.

I wouldn't say I have a lot of money - just that I could come up with it without skipping the neccessities (food, medical care, mortgage, utilities, etc). And I'm willing to forgo vacations, cut back on non-necessaries (shoe shopping, cable, going out, etc.) to give her the surgery. I don't know that my family and friends will understand (i.e. "Go without cable for a feline kidney transplant? Just go get another cat"), but oh well.

It would be worth the sacrifice even for just one good year - she's an amazing cat. But, if the recovery is going to be awful for her, then it's not fair of me to do so.

Thanks again for the input.

Gisellerina · May 2013

I'm fairly certain I should tell FI how much I'm spending on vet bills!! And the rest of my family and friends wouldn't know exactly how much I am spending, but I would skip attending a family vacation and a friend's wedding in order to reduce expenditures. So, it wouldn't be too hard for anyone to figure out that I'm spending a lot on the vet bills.

ETA: FI and I don't live together. My cat is and always has been mine alone. FI's not a cat person, although she's grown on him.

lyndausvi · May 2013

Gisellerina said:

I'm fairly certain I should tell FI how much I'm spending on vet bills!! And the rest of my family and friends wouldn't know exactly how much I am spending, but I would skip attending a family vacation and a friend's wedding in order to reduce expenditures. So, it wouldn't be too hard for anyone to figure out that I'm spending a lot on the vet bills.

You are only fairly certain? ::rolls eyes::

Gisellerina · May 2013

Lyndausvi, Hahahahaha! "Fairly certain" because we don't live together or have joint finances, but since we will in the future . . .

Gisellerina · May 2013

I agree that I don't have to give them any kinds of numbers. Really, I don't even need to tell them about her treatment plan.

MairePoppy · May 2013

Thanks for your kind wishes. It means a lot to me. It's been a awful day, I'll spare you pet lovers the details.

Giselle - it's a tough choice to make. I'm sure you will do for your kitty, what you would want someone to do for you.

lyndausvi · May 2013

I would like to add that in order to have the surgery you have to acquire another cat. If your FI is not a cat person he might not be too happy on taking on another animal. It's one thing to inherit an animal when you move in together. It's another to knowingly acquire an another animal without talking to your future FI first.

Gisellerina · May 2013

Speak of the surgeon . . . they called and they don't have any donor cats available. They referred me to another surgeon who does transplants, but he's on the other side of the country. I'm afraid that kind of travel could give her a heart attack and might not be an option. So this poll is apparently moot. But, I'm grateful for everyone's input and well wishes.

Gisellerina · May 2013

Lynda, He knew we'd be getting another cat this year, as soon as I'm ready (still recovering from last year's loss) And he knows that I'm typically a two-cat person - we're planning to always have a couple of cats (for me) and a dog (for him). So he'd be okay with the donor cat. Although he'd prefer a sphynx - no fur!!

lyndausvi · May 2013

i'm sorry Gisellerina.

JennaMichelle88 · May 2013

This thread has made me very sad.

Hugs to Maire and Gisellerina

Cat Needs Kidney Transplant - Would you?

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