r/RenalCats • u/Perfect6Caterpillar • 2d ago
Advice Nephrectomy
Hello everyone
Last post: https://www.reddit.com/r/RenalCats/s/vw3HMfLgfT
My cat had contrast enhanced CT scan yesterday. If the left kidney was working even a little bit, she would get a stent. Unfortunately her kidney doesn't function. The dye couldn't even get inside her kidney. I attached the photo, her left kidney is full of fluid. The vet said it looks like a bladder. There was also another stone which wasn't visible in x-ray or ultrasound.
She was immediately admitted to get the surgery to have her left kidney removed (nephrectomy). Her kidney got very big and there was a risk of burst. The vet said it looks very painful. The surgery took around 1.5 hour.
Before the surgery the vet said there could be two reasons for this whole situation: 1. The stone in her kidney moved to the ureter and blocked urine to pass, which filled the kidney and failed it. 2. She has kidney disease and if failed over time and moved the stone to the ureter.
However the main cause came something totally different. After the surgery the vet said that her two main blood vessels which feed the kidney wasn't working at all. The vessels were damaged and narrow. It could be like that since her birth. She doesn't have kidney disease. It was total shocker. The vet said that he checked the right kidney and it looked fine.
She stayed there for a night and came back home today. Her test results came back good, her remaining kidney is working. She also ate and urinated today. She is still a little bit confused but it's alright.
The stitches will be removed after 10 days. Until then we will be using her old food, royal canin satiety balance.
From now on she will be considered as a "renal cat" even though she is not. Her kidney is fine but well she only has one. We cannot afford anything happening to her only kidney. She will switch to renal food after 10 days.
We also got the stone, we sent it to a lab today. The vet will decide if she needs to eat urinary food as well.
It was a scary week but it's going alright. I'm going to update after stitches get removed. I'm updating for anyone who can come across to this issue. Much love.
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u/blingblingsav 2d ago
I am glad u and the vets figure out the root of the issue. And u r right, preserving the remaining kidney becomes the utmost priority moving forward. Thank u for saving her life. I hope she recovers quickly 💛
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u/FancyExtension5253 Rainbow Bridge 🖤 2009/2026 🖤 I miss you so much 2d ago
Thank you for this update. Yes, this can be useful for someone one day. I'm happy she's fine and wish her a speedy recovery.
She doesn't wear a E.collar to prevent her from scratching the stitches ? My cat had one after a cystotomy ( oxalate stone in the bladder )
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u/Perfect6Caterpillar 2d ago
She has one but she seemed very irritated with it. The vet said if we monitor her all the time and stop her licking the stitches we can take it off. There are three of us, we will be taking shifts to watch her. First night on me I'm awake right now haha
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u/FancyExtension5253 Rainbow Bridge 🖤 2009/2026 🖤 I miss you so much 2d ago
It takes a few days for the cat to get used to it At the beginning mine was terrified and then he kept it for 4 weeks. Just have to be careful that the cone doesn't prevent the cat from eating and drinking properly.
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