Cat recovering after kidney transplant

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Cat recovering after kidney transplant

Posted: Dec 13, 2011 1:01 PM PST
Updated: Dec 13, 2011 3:34 PM PST
By Jerica Phillips - bio | email

A Memphis cat is recovering after a kidney transplant. Tuesday marked the three month anniversary since the surgery saved the life of a 12-year-old Siamese named "Opie." WATCH VIDEO

MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - A Memphis cat is recovering after a kidney transplant. Tuesday marked the three month anniversary since the surgery saved the life of a 12-year-old Siamese named "Opie."

The cat underwent kidney transplant surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, but his owner said she credits doctors in Memphis for saving his life.

"He was in very poor condition, very critical," said Dr. Ai Takeuchi. "We were very concerned that we could lose him."

Opie was given a two month life expectancy after being brought to Memphis Veterinary Specialists with chronic anemia and vomiting.

The MVS team determined that the only option for Opie would be a kidney transplant. He was rushed to the University of Pennsylvania, one of the premier kidney transplant programs in the world.

"It's one of the most common transplants done in veterinary medicine," said Takeuchi.

Like human transplants, there are surgery qualifications, waiting lists and donors.

Opie's donor, Cadbury, was rescued from death row at a Philadelphia shelter.

"There's a part of him in Opie and they have been good buddies," said Opie's owner Katherine Addy-Bernstein.

Cadbury was adopted by Opie's owner as a part of the transplant program and she was delighted to welcome a new family member.

"It's a real win-win situation for everybody," she said.

Grateful to the team in Pennsylvania, Opie's owner is also thankful for Dr. Takeuchi who made the early diagnosis.

"If it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't be here," she said. "He would have been gone months ago and so she and this clinic saved his life."

Both cats are recovering well after successful surgeries, according to doctors.

The surgery cost around $12,000 and recovery costs are about $60 a month. However, the team at MVS said that although the surgeries and travel can be expensive, many people have pet insurance that help cover the costs.

http://www.wmctv.com/story/16316461/cat-recovering-after-kidney-transplant