General Surgery
Feline Renal Transplanation Unit
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cat is a candidate for this procedure?
Cats are considered candidates for transplantation if fluid therapy, dietary changes, and other medical treatments have been attempted but are failing. Cats that have lost a significant amount of their body weight and have lost interest in eating are not considered good candidates. In addition, no evidence of infectious or other organic disease may be present based on a complete blood count, chemistry panel, urinalysis and urine culture, Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus tests, a cardiac ultrasound examination to look for changes consistent with cardiomyopathy, and abdominal ultrasonography to evaluate kidney size and shape. If renomegaly (kidney enlargement) is present, a renal biopsy or aspirate should be performed to rule out the possibility of lymphosarcoma. We would prefer that the majority of this workup be done prior to referral. In addition, if you have to travel any distance to get to our hospital, it would be a good idea to determine your cats blood type since type B donors are often difficult to locate.
Where does the new kidney come from?
A healthy young cat that needs a home donates the new kidney. All donors are adopted by the owners of the transplant recipient. The donated kidney is attached to the abdominal aorta and vena cava of the recipient (your cat) just caudal to the native left kidney. This procedure requires the use of an operating microscope and individuals that are well trained in microvascular techniques.
Zeus was dying from a kidney failure 3 years ago. Today he has a normal kidney function thanks to a kidney transplant performed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 1999.
How long will my cat be in the hospital?
The average hospital stay for the recipient is two weeks.
What does it cost?
The average cost is about $4,000 which is only an estimate. Complications may significantly increase both the hospital stay and the expense.
What kind of care will my cat require after receiving a new kidney?
Following discharge from our hospital, your cat will need to receive oral medications such as cyclosporine and prednisolone twice a day for the duration of your cat's life. Failure to give the medication will cause rejection of the transplanted kidney. Unfortunately, some cats are very difficult to give oral medications to and are not considered candidates for a kidney transplant. In addition, blood samples will be drawn on a frequent basis and sent to our laboratory to assess your cat’s cyclosporine concentration, so that appropriate changes in the dosage may be made in a timely manner. Your veterinarian will need to keep a close eye on your cat's hydration status and creatinine concentration. The ongoing and additional costs of repeated veterinary visits, blood sampling, and treatment of potential complications must be considered before deciding to proceed with a kidney transplant.
What complications might occur and how long do cats live after kidney transplants?
The first 86 cats that received kidneys at the University of California had an average survival time between 13 and 21 months with 82% of the cats surviving the hospital stay. Some are still alive over 8 years after surgery. The success rate is improving and progress will continue as we gain further understanding. Currently, the most common complication after surgery is seizure activity. The most common causes of death following discharge from the hospital are rejection of the new kidney, infection and other diseases associated with immunosuppressive drugs. For further information please see the following literature:
Mathews KG, Gregory CR. Renal transplants in cats: 66 cases (1987 – 1996). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1997;211:1432-6.
Gregory CR, Mathews KG, Aronson LR, et al. Central nervous system disorders after renal transplantation in cats. Vet Surg 1997;26:386-392.
Lirtzman RA, Gregory CR. Long-term renal and hematologic effects of uninephrectomy in healthy feline kidney donors. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1995;207:1044-1047.
Who runs the NCSU Feline Renal Transplantation Program?
Dr. Kyle Mathews is an Assistant Professor in General Surgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he has founded the NCSU Feline Renal Transplantation Unit.