Renal transplantation in cats with end-stage kidney disease is available in some specialist centers, raising complex welfare questions about the donor cat, recipient cat, and the transplant process itself.
Feline kidney transplantation raises distinct welfare considerations for both donor and recipient. The donor cat undergoes major surgery under general anesthesia with associated anesthetic and surgical risks, and is left with a single kidney, though this is generally compatible with a normal lifespan. The recipient cat's welfare before transplant is severely compromised by end-stage kidney failure, creating the welfare imperative for treatment. Post-transplant, the recipient requires lifelong immunosuppressive drugs that carry side effects including increased infection susceptibility. The requirement for the owner to adopt the donor cat ensures ongoing monitoring of the donor animal's welfare. The overall welfare balance of the procedure requires case-by-case assessment.