Is surgery safe for an 18-year-old cat with painful kidney stones?

I'm sorry to hear that Sweetie has a stomach tumor! While that is a slightly elevated SDMA value, it is difficult to say exactly how her kidneys are doing without the remainder of her bloodwork. As long as Sweetie does not have spread of her cancer to other organs, especially the lungs, and her heart is functioning normally, anesthesia may be safe. She will also be on fluids throughout the surgery and monitored carefully. Your veterinarian can go over the risks associated with anesthesia with you considering the remainder of Sweetie's blood work. The prognosis for survival once the tumor is removed depends greatly on the type of tumor it is and how well the stomach is able to heal following surgery as well as if you elect to pursue chemotherapy. Certain tumor types, such as lymphoma, have a survival time of only several months following surgery. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have about Sweetie!

I'm sorry your cat may have lymphoma. The surgery and biopsies aren't very painful, she will be under anesthesia, and they will give her some pain medication afterwards. The danger of it depends on her health status, and her vet can give you the best estimate of this. Any surgery carries risk, but it can still be safe in a cat this age. Personally I'd do the surgery first. I hope this helps!

Hello. The presence of only 1 kidney is a birth defect that can occur. If that kidney is fully functioning, as demonstrated by normal blood kidney values, & a normal urinalysis, then there is no reason that anesthesia will be any more of a concern then for a cat with 2 kidneys. I am not sure what you mean by an indifferent colon, other than if there is one congenital birth defect, other defects are possible. We had a case of a puppy born with a deformed hind leg, & when he was old enough for neutering, also found a completely abnormal reproductive tract as well as a deformed kidney. This dog is now 13 years old & going strong. Your kitty may require periodic blood work to make sure the kidney stays healthy, & possibly some type of special diet depending on how the colon actually affects the kitten's overall well being. But, accidents in nature happen. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Depending on the size of the kidney stones and their nature, they can be partially dissolved by changing the diet. You can find in the market different kind of diet in order to change the PH of the urine and eventually dissolve the crystals/stones. If the kidney stones are not dissolvable or are too big, surgical removal could be the second option. Unfortunately male cats may suffer from blockage (partial or complete) of the urinary tract, which is a medical/surgical emergency condition. I would recommend a check up as soon as possible at your local veterinarian to perform a urine analysis and a radiograph/ultrasound to determine the size of the stones.Once you know nature of the stones from urine analysis, you can decide whether medical or surgical treatment are needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would agree with your veterinarian that surgery is likely the best option at this point. Another option is to continue draining it on an as needed basis but that may get uncomfortable with time if you have to do it consistently. Anesthesia can be very safe if done appropriately. Unfortunately there is rarely any medical therapy for cysts. Good luck and have a good night!

I'm sorry your cat has a retinal detachment. If the retinas remain detached for more than a day or two, the prognosis is poor for a return of normal vision. Therefore, the key to a successful outcome is rapid diagnosis and early administration of the proper medication to lower blood pressure. Given that you have already started medication, she may have a good prognosis for restoring her sight, but only the vet treating her can say for sure. If you are willing to do the surgery, get it done asap. Best of luck.

If his bloodwork before the surgery is good, then she should do well. Ask your veterinarian about what kind of monitoring and supportive care they are given before, during, and after surgery. Ask any questions you have concerns about so that you understand, part of your vet's job is to make sure you understand and are aware of what to expect.