Blood Transfusions for Cats With Kidney Disease

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a type of kidney disease often found in older felines. Unfortunately, the prognosis for survival is very slim; however, procedures like blood transfusions are available to assist in managing symptoms associated with the disease.

  1. Anemia

    • Anemia, a disease resulting from a loss of red blood cells, is a condition commonly associated with CRF and can be worsened by the multiple fluid injections needed to deal with kidney toxins. As a result, blood transfusions are often necessary to manage severe cases.

    Finding a Donor

    • Owners looking for donors should consult their veterinarian to see if one is already available. Veterinarians will look for donors that have a healthy weight, are free of infectious disease and won't experience unwanted side effects after donation.

    The Transfusion

    • Once a donor has been found, fresh blood is transfused into the ailing cat's system. This is not a major procedure and usually requires only three to four hours at the veterinarian's office, including the procedure, recovery and management.

    Effect

    • While your cat should exhibit signs of feeling and acting better, she may develop adverse reactions to her blood transfusion. Further, because the treatment is used as a temporary fix, multiple transfusions are often necessary, so each visit increases the risk of a potential bad reaction.

    Alternatives

    • Veterinarians often prescribe a drug called Epogen as an alternative to blood transfusions. Epogen's purpose is to stimulate red blood cells; however, most cats develop antibodies to the drug's human-derived hormone, which registers as a foreign chemical in the feline system.