While kidney transplants in human beings have been successfully conducted for nearly three decades, the same procedure is not widespread for pets. In fact, there are only two-three reputable institutions in the US that provide kidney transplant procedures for pets. Even here, the rate of success is better for cats than dogs.
By some estimates, there is only a 40 percent chance of your dog enjoying a long, healthy life after a transplant operation. In addition, such operations come with their own ethical and medical complications. One major stumbling block is that unlike humans, dogs cannot provide consent for organ donation.
In addition, most pet owners are hesitant about allowing their deceased dog’s organs to be used for such a procedure. However, kidneys are available from medical testing centers. For a successful transplant, any potential donor kidneys need to be screened for several dangerous diseases and medical conditions. Ideally, the donor kidney must come from a young dog (less than six years old) and of the same breed as the sick dog. If the donor and recipient dogs are related, a tissue match test is also needed. Other tests include blood clotting and screening for adrenal excess disorder. Finally, the owner must be prepared to make a serious financial commitment to ensure lifelong medication for the sick dog. This can range from 200 to 2000 dollars per month, depending on the breed and medical condition. The dog will need immune-suppressive medications to prevent rejection of the new organ and potential infections. This may include chemotherapy.
Since kidney transplants are major surgeries, they are associated with some major complications. The most serious one is the rejection of the new kidney by your dog’s body, which can happen even months or years after the surgery. This makes it essential to keep a close check on the new kidney’s condition with regular urinalysis and periodic blood tests. In some cases, the damage caused by rejection can be reversed with medication at an early stage. Another complication is if the dog develops infections due to the immune-suppressive therapy, leading to additional life-threatening conditions. Finally, there can a physical complication if the ureters are scarred. These are the tiny tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. This condition will then require another minor surgery to clear the ureters. All of these complications make it essential for you to discuss the potential of a kidney transplant with your dog’s vet. In many cases, long-term kidney disease medication can help to keep even a damaged kidney functional for the dog’s lifetime.
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