Recipient should be healthy other than chronic renal disease and associated conditions. Infections, cardiac, metabolic or organ-failure related disease may disqualify a patient from consideration for a renal transplant.

The following tests are performed by the referring veterinarian and faxed to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for review by the transplant team. Fax test results to: 608-265-8276, attention: Gerianne Holzman. For any questions, please contact:

Lindsay Brusda, CVT
Feline Renal Transplant Coordinator
608-262-8529
lbrusda@vetmed.wisc.edu

Recipient checklist:

1. Complete blood count (CBC)
2. Serum chemistry panel including electrolytes: if phosphorous is greater than 6, administer phosphate binders.
3. Urinalysis obtained by cystocentesis: evaluate for specific gravity, infection, crystal type
4. Urine culture obtained by cystocentesis
5. Urine protein - creatinine ratio (UPC): if proteinuria is greater than 0.4, administer Ace Inhibitor drugs
6. Feline viral testing: FELV, FIV, Toxoplasmosis Titer
7. Cardiac evaluation: auscultation, chest radiographs, electrocardiogram; if murmur or any abnormalities are noted perform echocardiogram
8. Abdominal radiographs: look for any abnormalities with special attention to urinary track looking for mineralization, stones, kidney size
9. Thyroid panel
10. Blood pressure measurement: doppler BP is acceptable
11. Blood type: all VMTH provided donors have type A blood; if recipient has another blood type (AB or B) the owner needs to provide a donor. Cats with types AB and B blood are seldom encountered in the U.S. but more often found in exotic purebred cats.
12. Kidney evaluation: If the kidneys are small, a kidney biopsy is not required because the anesthesia and biopsy procedure carry the risk of inducing enough loss in residual kidney function to precipitate a terminal uremic crisis. If the kidneys are normal size, enlarged or have unidentified isolated abnormalities on either radiographs or ultrasound; a biopsy is required to rule out conditions other than chronic renal failure such as renal lymphoma. These conditions disqualify a potential patient as a transplant candidate.
13. Dental Evaluation: teeth cleaning and dental procedures if any pathology is present to avoid oral bacteria becoming a potential source of infection in the transplanted kidney

If cat passes all above tests:
Cross match is done with potential donors. Blood is sent to the VMTH from the recipient and three potential donors (VMTH provided) for the cross match. Test must be performed within 24 hours of obtaining blood samples. Owner provided donor cross matching is done by referring veterinarian.