Cat needs a kidney; Now I'm the client

J

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
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We knew that our cat had a problem with bilateral ureter strictures (restrictions in the tube that moves urine from the kidneys to the bladder) so we fed him the best food for kidney health and ran bloodwork quarterly and ultrasounded him periodically. But we knew this day was coming.

Firiday he didn't want breakfast. That is almost as alarming as when I am not hungry. SOMETHING WAS WRONG! His name isn't "Moose" for nothing. He eats everything and is a BIG cat.

We took him to our veterinary hospital and ran bloodwork. Yecch. Creatinine is 18! Normal is between 0.6 and 2.4. Three days of IV fluids and supportive care didn't help.

There are two places in the country doing feline kidney transplants. U.C. Davis and University of Ga. We were going to fly him up to GA. but the 30kt winds made that choice dicey; especially considering other stress levels. So I left Daytona at 2pm in my car yesterday and got him there around 9pm. I spent the night and after checking up on him this AM, drove home. Every time I make a drive like that it reminds me why I love flying. DRIVING IS DANGEROUS!

We talked to the surgeon today. They are trying to get his blood levels back to a point that surgery might have a chance. We should know something by Thursday or Friday.

Moose will either get a new kidney and a new "blood brother" or we will lose him. If he has the surgery, we have to adopt the donor cat because he is no longer useful to them.

It's a shame the Affordable Care Act won't cover this. I didn't even ask how much after I found out they don't give professional discounts.

It sure does feel strange without Moose following me around the house.
 
Kidney transplants for cats??

Seriously. First world problem.
 
I am not a cat person, but a dog person, but your cat is one lucky feline to have an owner like you. As much as I love my dogs(a neurotic standard poodle, and a schizophrenic obsessive compulsive border collie) I am not sure I would do the same for them. I bow to you.
 
Captain said:
Kidney transplants for cats??

Seriously. First world problem.
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My wife is one of 73 Board Certified Feline specialists in the World and owns one of the best cat-only veterinary hospitals. Would you expect us to let our own cat die if there is an option available? I doubt that even the feline specialist in Hungary would do that.
 
Good luck with your kitty. Ophelia was never a candidate with her severe heart issues hope it works out for Moose.
 
Thanks Ben and Douglas. I know it is unusual, but everyone has their own priorities. We have built a nice life taking care of other people's cats. We couldn't do any less for our own.
 
JOhnH said:
My wife is one of 73 Board Certified Feline specialists in the World and owns one of the best cat-only veterinary hospitals. Would you expect us to let our own cat die if there is an option available? I doubt that even the feline specialist in Hungary would do that.
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And............

The feedback and results , good or bad, will help out all animals after the operation... Without data you have just a guess..
 
I'll spring for antibiotics for an animal. After that we say goodbye. I really am sorry your cat is sick. Spend as much as you want to try and save her (him?). I don't understand it though and I never will. Affordable care act? Don't get me started...
 
woodstock said:
Good luck with your kitty. Ophelia was never a candidate with her severe heart issues hope it works out for Moose.
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Thanks Beth. I knew if anyone would understand, you would.
 
Captain said:
I'll spring for antibiotics for an animal. After that we say goodbye. I really am sorry your cat is sick. Spend as much as you want to try and save her (him?). I don't understand it though and I never will. Affordable care act? Don't get me started...
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To each his own.
And I called it by it's real name instead of another name to try to keep from starting anything that would get the thread moved. I guess I should not have brought it up at all.
 
Rome was tops in feline kidney transplants, too bad all that knowledge and skill was lost with the empire. Transplants for pets is childish and immature.
 
I'm thinking that felines are basically fungible. Get another cat. My wife has owned 4 cats and I've never really seen the difference between them.

I'm not trying to be unkind, but these are animals. We steward their health and when their health fails our job is to know that and know what to do. You are truly going to transplant a kidney in a cat - what does the cat know about the pain and discomfort, and the ongoing medication requirements and blood tests. Its just not fair to the animal.

Now, its your money. Spend it how you want but my thoughts have zero to do what it costs.
 
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ClimbnSink said:
Rome was tops in feline kidney transplants, too bad all that knowledge and skill was lost with the empire. Transplants for pets is childish and immature.
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Who do you think they practiced on before doing it for humans?
I think it makes more sense that transplanting lungs for a smoker or livers for an alcoholic.
 
My wife and I had a 10 year old lab mix that had a tumor, it was the size of a softball. There is a very highly rated surgeon at a pet hospital called VMSG in Ventura Ca that said there was a 40 percent chance she would live if they could remove it. 6 thousand dollars later it was removed and Congo lived to be 16, her quality of life was as good as before the surgery. With that said I would do it again, she was more then a pet to us and when all is said and done we can't take our money with us when we die. Good luck to you and your cat.
 
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Thanks for your comments.
I feel the same way about some people. Including some that I usually agree with.
Now I'm going to bed.

comanchepilot said:
I'm thinking that felines are basically fungible. Get another cat. My wife has owned 4 cats and I've never really seen the difference between them.

I'm not trying to be unkind, but these are animals. We steward their health and when their health fails our job is to know that and know what to do. You are truly going to transplant a kidney in a cat - what does the cat know about the pain and discomfort, and the ongoing medication requirements and blood tests. Its just not fair to the animal.

Now, its your money. Spend it how you want but my thoughts have zero to do what it costs.
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I spent $6K on my Golden Retriever last year, my wife hit her with the car. Long story, made short, she broke her leg and our local vet set it, it didn't set and her paw "dropped":redface: Our vet recommended an orthopedic surgery, either at UGA or a local guy in Atlanta. Since our daughter is at UGA, and it was cheaper we took her there.:) It was a long journey, but she's doing great and walks without hardly a limp. They fused the bones in her "ankle" and we kept her in a cast then a brace for 12 weeks. The care at UGA was top notch!!
Good luck with your cat!
I understand the naysayers, I tell people all the time, if it was their dog I would tell them to put her down or let her limp, BUT she's MY dog and we fixed her.:D
 
comanchepilot said:
I'm thinking that felines are basically fungible. Get another cat. My wife has owned 4 cats and I've never really seen the difference between them.

I'm not trying to be unkind, but these are animals. We steward their health and when their health fails our job is to know that and know what to do. You are truly going to transplant a kidney in a cat - what does the cat know about the pain and discomfort, and the ongoing medication requirements and blood tests. Its just not fair to the animal.

Now, its your money. Spend it how you want but my thoughts have zero to do what it costs.
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Actually, I would suggest to you for the most part we treat our pets better than we treat our sick and dying family members. If we only treated our sick and dying family members as well as we treated our pets there would be a lot less suffering in this world.
 
JOhnH said:
To each his own.
And I called it by it's real name instead of another name to try to keep from starting anything that would get the thread moved. I guess I should not have brought it up at all.
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Why would you say that?!?

I disagree with you on this thread, but so what?? This is a forum and its for dialog and sharing ideas and the like. This is a great thread! (I only post on the interesting ones you know)

No, thank you for posting. Good stuff.


BTW, I don't understand your point of the sentence just before the one I bolded. Just curious is all...
 
Don't listen to the people that don't understand!

Honestly, I hate cats which is why I don't, and never will own one. Partially because I'm allergic to them. Like, miserably allergic.

But I have two dogs and one of them in particular I am very fond of and quite attached to her. She's almost like my baby, short of comparing humans to dogs... And I'd pretty much do anything to save her. Both dogs actually, even though the other one is a mommys boy :)

Point is, I totally understand the compassion for a pet and some people just don't have that in them. I commend you for the love you give this cat. I know the day I lose my Vega will be a serious bummer day in my life. And many days after.

They say the most kind hearted and trustworthy people have that kind of compassion for pets so I say it's a good thing and I'm proud of it.
 
45255_276944619106395_825390821_n.jpg
 
ProspectingCFI said:
Don't listen to the people that don't understand!

Honestly, I hate cats which is why I don't, and never will own one. Partially because I'm allergic to them. Like, miserably allergic.

But I have two dogs and one of them in particular I am very fond of and quite attached to her. She's almost like my baby, short of comparing humans to dogs... And I'd pretty much do anything to save her. Both dogs actually, even though the other one is a mommys boy :)

Point is, I totally understand the compassion for a pet and some people just don't have that in them. I commend you for the love you give this cat. I know the day I lose my Vega will be a serious bummer day in my life. And many days after.

They say the most kind hearted and trustworthy people have that kind of compassion for pets so I say it's a good thing and I'm proud of it.
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Nobody says the most kind hearted and trustworthy people give cats kidney transplants.

Please don't paint us 'naysayers' as unkindhearted or untrustworthy.
 
And that goes for you too Stan. You guys are trying to steer the conversation with emotion using things nobody said...literally.
 
Whether or not we agree with the medical plans John has for Moose, I think we can all agree we hope everything works out for Moose, and the donor as well as for John and his wife....Can't we just this one time.
 
Captain said:
And that goes for you too Stan. You guys are trying to steer the conversation with emotion using things nobody said...literally.
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Cap, I have no problem with what you said, and didn't post that picture for you. I posted it for John. If I thought you were off base, I would just tell you. (SZ training.) This is an emotional thing for John, and I'm acknowledging that.

Putting an animal down is not the absence of compassion (unless you are doing it because you don't want the responsibility of a pet.) Often it is the final act of compassion. Many people don't have the means to take extraordinary measures to save a pet. I understand that. But ordinary measures are part of the deal.
 
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ProspectingCFI said:
Point is, I totally understand the compassion for a pet and some people just don't have that in them. I commend you for the love you give this cat. I know the day I lose my Vega will be a serious bummer day in my life. And many days after.

They say the most kind hearted and trustworthy people have that kind of compassion for pets so I say it's a good thing and I'm proud of it.
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I dont think it would be any less compassionate to put a suffering animal down.

I wish that some pet owners reflected a bit more on whether it is the pet they are treating or their own conscience.
 
Captain said:
Please don't paint us 'naysayers' as unkindhearted or untrustworthy.
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Hear, Hear.

Let the poor animal go, man. Nobody likes to do it, but maybe it's best to just put the cat out of it's misery. You've done enough.
 
Best wishes to you and your wife (and Moose) from Flagler Beach, John. Pretty certain I've seen your wife's ad in the DB News-Journal. If "Gracie" is ever in need of her services, you'll hear from us! Re Moose ...keep the faith!!

(Our last Vet ...down in the Keys ...is a UC Davis grad.)
 
Ok I think people are taking this wrong... Of course I will put my pet down if and when it becomes necessary. BUT, no, I will not let anything stand in the way if I or the vet feels that whatever the problem is, is curable/fixable... If your dog say, gets hit by a car and doc says ok it'll be $2800 possibly more for the surgery, you're really just going to say ahh screw it, he/she had a few good years? Not me, that's all I'm saying. Also, if people only post on threads to create conflict, you better expect a little heat back!! :)
 
I lost my 12 year old cat to kidney renal failure last December. I understand what your going through. I wish moose and your family the best.
 
ProspectingCFI said:
Ok I think people are taking this wrong... Of course I will put my pet down if and when it becomes necessary. BUT, no, I will not let anything stand in the way if I or the vet feels that whatever the problem is, is curable/fixable... If your dog say, gets hit by a car and doc says ok it'll be $2800 possibly more for the surgery, you're really just going to say ahh screw it, he/she had a few good years? Not me, that's all I'm saying. Also, if people only post on threads to create conflict, you better expect a little heat back!! :)
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Lots of pet owners out there that couldn't scrape up 2800 bucks for their own care, nevermind a dog.
 
ClimbnSink said:
Lots of pet owners out there that couldn't scrape up 2800 bucks for their own care, nevermind a dog.
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I'm not sure what the relevance is, or what your point is.

If someone has the means to provide a certain level of care to a pet, and is willing to do so, why is that a bad thing?

-Rich
 
ClimbnSink said:
Lots of pet owners out there that couldn't scrape up 2800 bucks for their own care, nevermind a dog.
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Very true and I agree. However, I'd wager a guess that if you can afford to fly planes then you could most likely swing it or at least finance it. Which brings me to another point. If you can't afford a pet, don't own one. Very simple.
 
I hope Moose makes it. I understand from both angles why. Not only do you love the animal, y'all run a cat clinic, if you put him down without trying 'extraordinary measures', it comes off as pretty hypocritical to sell them. OTOH, would have been pretty interesting to do it in house.
 
Two years ago we had a 13 year old big (18 lbs) kitty with this same problem. Renal failure and caught it too late. Yeah it's tough. He was no longer a cat. We still have his siste. We got her on a Renal Health diet and she is still hyper and that means she is still a cat. Cats are family too.
 
ProspectingCFI said:
Very true and I agree. However, I'd wager a guess that if you can afford to fly planes then you could most likely swing it or at least finance it. Which brings me to another point. If you can't afford a pet, don't own one. Very simple.
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Define not being able to afford a pet. Food, or should cat owners have a kidney transplant reserve?
 
I wish the best for the OP and Moose. I'd never fault a person for spending money on treating the animal family provided...

1) they aren't putting themselves in a financial bind, and
2) they are subjecting their pet to the likelihood of increased or prolonged suffering

Considering the money people spend on other non-human things they love like collector cars, or ahem....airplanes, 6k for a chance at keeping your kitty chugging along for a few more years is probably a good investment. Heck, I wonder if any of the naysayers have thrown a bunch of money on a top overhaul?
 
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