I adopted a 14 year old hospice cat with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure. Over the past couple of weeks I've noticed she has feces collecting around her vulva. I had her groomed and shaved there but the problem persists. I am doing my best to keep the area clean but today I noticed some blood. A vet friend of mine suspects a fistula, permitted feces to be excreted through her vagina. The remedy is surgery. We have an appointment Monday. Does anyone know if she can handle anesthesia with her issues? Thanks.
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chronic kidney disease and anesthesia
- Thread starter emme
- Start Date
I am a human specialist in internal medicine, not a veterinarian and any advice that I give about your cat should be confirmed by a vet.
The presence of faeces repeatedly appearing at the vulva is certainly indicative of a recto-vaginal fistula. I would think that the question about her capacity to handlle the anaesthesia depends upon her degree of renal failure, whether she is anaemic and whether the hypertension has damaged her heart.
Some questions that need to be answered before one can give an opinion are:
1. Is there any knowledge of her cardiac status, such as has a cardiac ultrasound been done?
2.What are her Creatinine and Blood Urea levels? What is her plasma creatinine concentration?
3. What is her haemoglobin?
4. what is the specific gravity of her urine?
5. Is there any evidence of renal acidosis on the blood tests?
BTW. A useful academic article on this subject is : "Anesthesia for dogs and cats with cardiac or renal disease"
veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/anesthesia-dogs-and-cats-with-cardiac-or-renal-disease, 2011.
With best wishes,
Geoffrey
As the owner of 3 kidney cats in the past, I think all of Geofffrey's questions certainly apply to felines as well as humans. I would add one more: What are the short and long term ramifications of doing nothing?
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- #4
Thanks. Certainly questions I intend to ask. She doesn't have much of a life, just sleeps in her kitty igloo in front of a window all day. Thanks for the help.
I adopted a 14-yr-old with stage 3 kidney disease, and she underwent dental surgery and extractions with no problems. My vet did have me wait until her creatinine and BUN had stabilized. I have no experience with a fistula though. Thank you for adopting this senior kitty. She's lucky to have you.
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- #6
I swore I'd never adopt another cat after the last one I adopted brought ringworm into my house at the same time my dad was dying of cancer. I was so overwhelmed I said I was finished with cats. Alas, I am a sap at heart, particularly for senior pets. They didn't want this one to die in a cage so she's here. I've had her 15 months now. We'll see what the future holds for us. Thanks for the response.
