Feline kidney disease is quite common in cats that are over the age of seven. Many cats don't even begin to show signs of kidney disease until they have lost nearly 75% of their kidney function. For this reason it can be very difficult to catch kidney problems in cats at an early stage where more could be done to improve their kidney health. There are many ways that a kidney disease in a cat can be diagnosed. One of the more advanced ways that feline kidney disease is diagnosed is through renal biopsy.
When Is Renal Biopsy Necessary
While a renal biopsy for diagnoses of feline kidney disease is not usually necessary, there are times where it is the best way to determine what is happening with the cat in question. Renal biopsy is usually reserved for cases when cancer is suspect. The biospy is usually only necessary when other diagnostic tests are not returning the results that are necessary for proper diagnosis.
General Anesthetic Is Required
It is important to point out that for a renal biopsy a cat will need to be placed under a general anesthesia. Cats that are older may not tolerate the general anesthesia as well as younger cats and since most cats don't develop kidney disease until later in life, general anesthetic is something to consider with your veterinarian as this can have other complications.
The Procedure Itself
The renal biopsy procedure itself is fairly straightforward. Usually a renal biopsy is performed by a specialist who is very familiar and adept at the renal biopsy procedure. A renal biopsy is a surgical procedure that does require a skilled hand to perform it. During the procedure a small piece of tissue is removed form the kidneys so that it can be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Benefits of a Renal Biopsy
There are many benefits of renal biopsy for the diagnosis of feline kidney disease. The biggest benefit is that with proper diagnosis the cat can receive the best treatment possible for their disease. If biopsy determines the kidney failure is the result of cancer, then knowing what kind of cancer the cat is suffering from can help the vet determine the best course of treatment for the particular type of cancer.
Risks of Renal Biopsy
As it was stated above, renal biopsies must be performed by an experienced specialist. Even with an experienced specialist, however the risks for further renal damage due to the biopsy exist. There is also the risk associated with placing a feline under general anesthesia, not to mention the possible complications such as blood clots or infection from the procedure.
When it comes to determining the cause of feline kidney disease there are many different types of diagnostic tests that are available to choose from. While renal biopsy can be quite helpful it is important to assess the risks and benefits at length with your veterinarian prior to agreeing to have your cat undergo the procedure.