What is Kidney Cancer?
Older cats are more susceptible to developing cancers of the kidney. The older the cat, the harder it is to recover from treatment. Most tumors that grow in or on the kidneys are malignant (cancerous). All renal cancers are highly invasive to the body, and over 50% of cases spread quickly. The list of organs and body parts that cancer of the kidneys can spread to is long, including blood, lymph nodes, lungs, brain and spinal cord. Because renal cancer is so aggressive, by the time symptoms have manifested the cancer has already taken hold of the patient. This is a good reason to have routine or annual blood work performed on your cat.
Renal (kidney) cancer is generally rare in cats. Of the cancers that do develop in the kidneys, lymphoma is the most common type to appear, followed by renal cell carcinoma. All renal cancer is very dangerous, requiring immediate treatment. Often, cancer found in the kidneys has metastasized (spread) from elsewhere in the body, making the condition even more serious.
Kidney Cancer Average Cost
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Average Cost
$6,500
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Symptoms of Kidney Cancer in Cats
The symptoms of renal cancer often are shared with other urinary tract problems. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, it is best to have a vet examine them immediately. Symptoms are as follows:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Polyuria (frequent urination)
- Blood in urine
- Polydipsia (increased thirst)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Behavioral changes
- Pale gums
- Dull coat
- Poor skin condition
- Bad breath
- Anemia
Causes of Kidney Cancer in Cats
Not all renal cancers have an understood cause. It seems that many senior cats eventually develop severe kidney problems. Possible causes include:
- Severe UTI (urinary tract infection) left untreated
- Ingestion of toxins
- Environmental exposure to toxins
- Interaction with a cat who has Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV is present in almost 50% of renal cancer cases)
A cat's kidneys do not have the tendency to repair well, leading to potential allowances of cancerous irregularities to flourish.
Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer in Cats
Upon arrival at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, the veterinarian will request your cat's complete medical history to look for any relative problems. Then, a physical examination and evaluation will take place. All other kidney and liver problems have to be ruled, out as many express the same symptoms. An X-ray or abdominal ultrasound is generally the first thing required to confirm the presence of tumors or irregularities in the kidneys.
If tumors or growths are found, a needle aspiration or biopsy will be needed to examine the properties of said tumors and determine if cancer is present. Extensive blood work will be needed, including a complete blood count and a biochemical profile looking for enzymes with elevated levels. Blood work will also show if the cat is a good surgical candidate or not. Urinalysis will be performed to look for blood traces, high white blood cell numbers, proteins, and even bacteria that could be exacerbating the renal situation. A kidney function test may also be suggested. After all of these tests, an MRI or CT scan will be requested to see if surgery is viable, and if so what the best course of action will be.
Treatment of Kidney Cancer in Cats
Many treatment options are available to cats facing renal cancer. Determining the right treatment will be based on the cancer's progression, the strength of the cat and the type of cancer that is present.
Surgery
If only one kidney is affected by the cancer, often removal of the entire kidney is advised. This is a high-risk surgery, but offers the best chance of survival if the cancer has not yet metastasized to other parts of the body. The cat will be put under general anesthetic to undergo the surgery. A strict, at-home care regime will need to be administered if the surgery is successful.
Chemotherapy
This treatment can be lengthy and expensive. Medications that combat cancerous cells will be given to the cat on a regular basis. If the renal cancer present is not lymphoma, chemotherapy may have no significant effect as a treatment.
Radiation Therapy
This often includes a vigorous schedule of vet administered treatments that can last for weeks on end. It may be used in addition to surgery.
Antibiotics
After surgery is complete, and if an infection was present at the time of blood work, antibiotics will be prescribed to remove bacteria.
Supportive Care
In patients that do not qualify for surgery, often general, life assisting care is recommended. This, in turn, becomes palliative treatment to keep the cat comfortable in its last days.
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Recovery of Kidney Cancer in Cats
Kidney cancer usually carries an overall poor prognosis in cats. Survival may only be increased by months even after vigorous treatments have been applied. The earlier the cancer is discovered, the better, as this increases the chance of removal before spreading has occurred. There is a very high rate of relapse in renal cancer.
If the cancer is only present in one kidney and has not developed in any other area of the body, and surgical removal of that kidney has taken place successfully, a full recovery is sometimes possible. Extensive at-home care will be required, including a close monitoring of the incision site for possible infection. Later X-rays will be needed to ensure no other cancer is growing, and that the remaining kidney is functioning at an optimum level.
Kidney Cancer Average Cost
From 432 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000
Average Cost
$6,500
Top
Kidney Cancer Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
long hair
Dolce
3 Years
13 found this helpful
13 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fever
My 3 year old indoor cat develop a fever around mid July. It was notice that her bottom of her paws were hot. I just took it that it was hot because of the summer heat. About 1 month later she stopped eating her dry cat food. since then, she acts hungry but becomes uninterested with her wet food after a few bits. My Vet referred me to a Speciality Vet. Nothing shows up abnormal on my cat's blood test.In fact the Vet said it was quite good. No blood in her urine or stools. The Vet found a 2 1/2 mm mass near her left kidney. They did a fine needle aspiration and submitted for culture & cytology. The culture showed no infection. She has been on 3 antibiotics and with no results. The cytology showed "concerning cells". They said it could be cancer. The Vet commented that it's very rare for a 3 year old cat to have kidney cancer. But, the only way to be certain it to remove her kidney.....$4000!!! (She said nothing about surgically removing the mass, only.) The Speciality Vet didn't think the mass was attached to the kidney at the time of the sonogram. But, now she thinks it probably is attached. My question, if it was kidney cancer,
wouldn't ANY of the tests (blood & urine) have some indication?
UPDATE-9/19/18. Just came back from the Speciality Vet. The mass grew about 1mm since last visit(8/22/19). An ultrasound was done & now the vet sees,it is attached to the kidney. The culture taken on the last visit showed carcinoma cells. My cat has gained a few ounces. Still doesn't show any sign of pain when I put on her stomach. No blood in her urine. And still very active. My question...If I let them remove her kidney, what are her chances of living a fairly normal long life. She is still very young. Is this form of cancer treatable?
Is this form of cancer treatable?
Sept. 19, 2018
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Domestic long hair
Dolce
3 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fever
My 3 year old indoor cat develop a fever about 6 weeks ago. It was notice that her bottom of her paws were hot. I just took it that it was hot because of the summer heat.
About 1 month ago her stopped eating her dry cat food. since then, she acts hungry but becomes uninterested with her wet food after a few bits.
My Vet referred me to a Speciality Vet. Nothing shows up abnormal on my cat's blood test.In fact the Vet said it was quite good. No blood in her urine or stools. The Vet found a 2 1/2 mm mass near her left kidney. They did a fine needle aspiration and submitted for culture & cytology. The culture showed no infection. She has been on 3 antibiotics and with no results.
The cytology showed "concerning cells". They said it could be cancer. The Vet commented that it's very rare for a 3 year old cat to have kidney cancer. But, the only way to be certain it to remove her kidney.....$4000!!! (She said nothing about surgically removing the mass, only.)
The Speciality Vet didn't think the mass was attached to the kidney at the time of the sonogram. But, now she thinks it probably is attached.
My question, if it was kidney cancer, wouldn't ANY of the tests (blood & urine) have some indication? I'm thinking about going back to her regular vet, and see if they would surgically
remover the mass.
Aug. 29, 2018
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Persian
Sophia
6 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Growls When Carried. Blood In Urine
My cat has a mass in/on her kidney. The doctor needs to run more tests. She has always been a healthy cat but has had urinary tract infection a few times. I’m hoping that it can be removed. She’s still active and showing no symptoms. I am not sure if she’s in pain. The mass is big and she’s a skinny cat. Please advise.
Aug. 19, 2018
6 Recommendations
Without examining Sophia and possibly doing an ultrasound, it is difficult to say whether the kidney can be removed or not; blood tests will be taken to check kidney and liver function prior to any surgery and Sophia will need to be on a special renal diet for the rest of her life to not stress the remaining kidney. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 19, 2018
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Tabby Cat
Loki
2 Years
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lymphoma, Lethargy, Not Eating
My cat Loki (2,5) is unfortunately felv positive. Underwent a full mouth extraction and after being healed from that slowly started to stop eating, with an increase of drinking. After a ultrasound we saw that his spleen was covered in holes cause by the felv. Both his kidneys had fluid around them and were swollen. The vet did a biopsy in both kidneys and found leucemia cells in both of them. He is on Ceremia, dexoral daily and eating and drinking again. But without medication he really becomes sick. I wanted to do Chemo on him but the vet said kidneys invested with leucemia cells are a bad sign and prognosis isnt looking too great. I just hope i am not making a bad decision to put him down after days of quality time. Would anyone be so kind to explain why the prognosis is so bad with2 kidneys with leucemia cells and no chemo was suggested ?
July 26, 2018
12 Recommendations
The decision to go through with chemotherapy is down to your Veterinarian, in severe cases of renal lymphoma it may not be beneficial to put a cat through chemotherapy since the prognosis is poor to grave even with chemotherapy; you need to remember that chemotherapy isn’t a ‘cure-all’ and is not always suitable for every case. If you’re not happy with the decision of your Veterinarian, you may submit the medical records to a telemedicine company like PetRays for a board certified Oncologist to review. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
http://petrays.com/services/oncology/
July 27, 2018
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Persian
Tamtam
14 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomitting
The results of my cat fine needle aspiration is as follows
The cytologies observed show different lesion patterns. An inflamatory population of neutrophils and macrophages, indicative of a chronic and purulent inflammatory/ infectious process, is observed, and there is another population of epithelial cells, organized in nests, with marked cytonuclear atypia. The overall images suggests a pulmonary adenocarcinoma with associated inflammation. What should i do. Is chemo therapy helping
June 10, 2018
3 Recommendations
Whilst you have copied in your cytology report, there is no frame of reference for me to know whether chemotherapy is helping or not and you didn’t mention where the fine needle aspirate was taken from; however pulmonary adenocarcinoma generally has a poor response to chemotherapy. Your Veterinarian would be able to advise you better as Tamtam is under their care. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 11, 2018
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Stray cat
Tiggi
15 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Lethargy Depression
Lethargy Depression Didnt Eat
My cat was a very healthy outside living cat. That changed when she started to refuse eating. Of course i took her to the vet and he immediatly felt her big kidneys. Both kidneys had increased in size, so surgery was not an option. It was clear that she would die soon. The vet told me to make her drink alot and put her under a kidney diet.
For the coming week she really got better and was more active but that changed after. She got depressed again and sat lethargily on the ground the whole day. She only eat a tiny piece. She continued to loose weight and didnt do much the coming weeks. She never expressed any pain when i pet her. One day she started to look for strange hiding places. That was the signal for me that she searched for a dying place. I knew she was ready to die, so i took her to vet and he euthanized her. I didnt want her to die in great pain. After the diagnosis she remained alive for 6 weeks. Since she used to be healthy i didnt take her to the vet very often. That is why the cancer could grow without being noticed. By the time my cat started to show symptoms the cancer already destroyed about 70% of both kidneys.
My advice: even if your old cat is healthy, take it to the vet and let them watch their kidneys.
Kidney Cancer Average Cost
From 432 quotes ranging from $3,000 - $10,000
Average Cost
$6,500
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
