Renal Lymphoma in Cats

Feline renal lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the kidneys. It can occur for a variety of reasons, and like any cancer affecting a pet, it can be difficult for the owner to deal with.

  1. Causes

    • Some common causes of feline renal lymphoma include the feline immunosuppression virus (FIV), many of the feline leukemia viruses (FLV or FeLV), kidney failure or lymphoma traveling to the kidneys from another area of the body.

    Symptoms

    • In cats, symptoms of renal lymphoma can be difficult to distinguish from other health issues. Symptoms may include blood in the urine (hematuria), anemia, crystals in the urine and abdominal pain.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose any form of feline lymphoma, the cat will undergo a physical exam, x-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests such as a chemistry panel and a biopsy of the affected tissue.

    Treatment

    • Feline renal lymphoma is difficult to treat and is considered incurable, so treatment is aimed at managing the disease rather than curing it. Treatment includes drugs to treat symptoms and nutritional supplements to improve quality of life.

    Prognosis

    • Prognosis will vary from cat to cat, depending on how they respond to treatment. Unfortunately, the overall prognosis for any form of lymphoma is relatively poor.