Renal transplantation in cats.

Feline renal transplantation can offer long-term survival with a normal quality of life for cats with renal failure. However, it is important to remember that renal transplantation is a treatment option and not a cure. Renal transplantation is never performed on an emergency basis or prophylactically. Feline renal transplantation requires special microvascular instruments and an operating microscope. Careful patient selection and perioperative monitoring have improved the success rate. The new microemulsified form of cyclosporine is recommended for immunosuppression. As survival times have steadily improved, long-term complications, such as diabetes and neoplasia, are now being recognized.