Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 6, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Chronic Kidney Disease, also known as Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a common condition in aging cats. It is the result of a gradual decrease in kidney function. Healthy kidneys act like a filter to remove waste products from the body. They regulate electrolytes such as potassium and phosphorous, and they produce erythropoietin which stimulates red blood cell production. Kidneys also produce rennin, which contributes toward regulating blood pressure. Kidneys also play a major role in turning vitamin D into its active form, which controls calcium balance in the body.
Kidney disease is irreversible
When kidney function becomes compromised, symptoms may be subtle at first, but the disease is progressive and irreversible, which is why early diagnosis and intervention is so important. Kidney disease can often be managed for many years with treatments such as fluid therapy, diet changes and medication. However, eventually, these treatments will stop working.
Kidney transplant facts
For some cats, a kidney transplant may be an option. There are only a few veterinary surgeons in the United States who perform this procedure. Lilian Aronson, VMD, BS, CACVS, founder and coordinator of the Feline Renal Transplant Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, has performed over 150 feline kidney transplants. “For the right cat, it can be an excellent treatment option,” she told AAHA PetsMatter. Most cats live an average of one to three years after the surgery, but Dr. Aronson had one patient who lived for an additional 13 years.
In order to be a candidate for kidney transplantation, a cat should not have any other significant health problems other than the kidney disease. Younger cats generally make better candidates than extremely old cats.
The cost of this procedure is most likely prohibitive for most cat parents. According to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, “without serious complications, the estimated cost of a renal transplant is $12,000 to $15,000, including the donor and recipient. These costs are subject to change and serious complications do occur in some cats, resulting in increased cost. … Owners generally spend around $1,000 per year for medication and testing after the transplantation.”
One of the reasons why kidney transplants for cats are a viable option for cats is because it’s relatively easy to find a donor cat. Most cats have the same blood type—A—and unlike dogs, they don’t need to be related to be considered compatible. Additionally, cats, like people, can live normal, healthy lives with just one kidney. Aronson’s team conducted a study of 99 feline kidney donors from the program and found most had no associated long-term effects from kidney donation.
There is one condition: if you choose to have a kidney transplant for your cat and a donor is found from an animal shelter, you must adopt the donor cat, regardless of the outcome of the surgery.
Ethical considerations
There are also ethical considerations that need to be taken into account. Even if cost is not an object, should you put a cat through this type of surgery? Even though the donor cats will have a new home, is it appropriate to put a shelter cat through such an invasive procedure? Are you essentially risking the donor cat’s well-being by taking away part of their kidney function?
I think like every decision about a cat’s health, this is a decision that needs to be made for each cat by each cat parent. I can’t imagine wanting to put either my own cats or a shelter cat through this procedure, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be the right choice for someone else.
Would you consider a kidney transplant for your cat?
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
I did lose a cat due to renal failure, but I wouldn’t put my own cat or a shelter cat through the transplant procedure. Quality of life is more important to me than how many more years I can have my cat around. I also consider how many shelter or homeless cats could be helped by the amount of money it costs to do the transplant.
Well said. thank you.
I would not do it, its unethical in my opinion.
Now places that are doing stem cell with this with good results and its less money. Please do an article on it. I saw a little YouTube video of a woman in CA who did it for her cat, but only very rarely do some vets do it, she happened to live near one. Unfortunately I live in a very backward state, its amazing we even have electricity.
I had an 11 year old cat whose kidneys went bad. I could not afford a transplant. I don’t think I would do that. That choice is up to each person to make the right choice.
I would not want to take a kidney from an innocent healthy cat to save my own cat. That is a bit cruel.
I wouldn’t be able to afford so I wouldn’t do it. Not sure I would do it if I had the money. Not sure I would want to put my kitty through that. Nice to have that option.
I agree.
Wow, I think it’s amazing what can be done in medicine today; veterinary. But I’m still weary, I went through a human kidney transplant and I don’t think I’d want my little cat to go through that, even still, the donor. It seems like to much for the cats. I just don’t know, hopefully I’ll never have to consider it for my baby.
I have mixed feelings about this. Saving the life of your beloved cat would be great. but putting an innocent cat through it seems a bit cruel to me. Plus putting an older cat through any kind of serious surgery scares me because of the higher risks.
I agree.
I concure : You can’t let a cat go to such a procedure. It’s a bit like taking a prisoner to donate for a human. The shelter cat has no choice in the matter. I must admit I would do everything for my cats to stay healthy but not at the cost of another cats health. The point of saving a shelter cat by doing this is not valid for me since, when one of mine will die she/he will allways be replaced by another shelter cat.