Owners have praised our expert small animal surgery team after we successfully cured their cat’s rare kidney condition.
The 14-year-old cat, called Micki, was suffering after large perirenal cysts had developed around her kidneys and was referred for specialist care at Willows.
Erika Villedieu, an RCVS recognised specialist and European diplomate in small animal surgery, took charge of the case but even she had never encountered such large cysts.
Erika, who worked with our internal medicine resident Lucy Yuan on the case, explained: “Micki was having episodes of vomiting, had put on weight and her appetite was variable and irregular.
“Investigations, including an abdominal ultrasound and blood tests, revealed Micki had large perirenal cysts, which are fluid-filled structures surrounding the kidneys.
“The cysts were very large indeed and were identified as the likely cause of the discomfort and decreased appetite. Our first course of action was to drain the cysts of their fluid to reduce their size and impact on Micki.
“She would improve after each drainage, which gave us confidence that performing surgical treatment to open and partially remove the cysts would be beneficial in the long-term.
“Micki duly underwent a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) where I made three small incisions, just 5mm each, to access the area and successful complete a partial removal of the problematic cysts.
“The procedure went to plan and Micki went home the very next day. Thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the keyhole surgery, she recovered very well and was back to normal within just five days.”
Micki’s owner Karen Kreutz, from Tamworth, has had her beloved pet since she was a three-month-old kitten and is delighted with such a positive outcome.
She said: “Our local vets advised us that Micki had fluid around her kidneys and this was the cause of the lumps.
“We received an appointment at Willows within a couple of days and Micki underwent an ultrasound scan, with Lucy confirming what she said was a rare diagnosis.
“Draining the cysts was discussed and, after consideration, we decided to go ahead with the procedure, with 1.5 litres removed from around her kidneys.
“After about 10 days, the fluid was clearly returning and we reported this to Willows and were advised that surgery to remove the walls of the cysts was an option.
“We had a conversation with Erika to discuss the procedure and she was open in saying this type of
surgery had not previously been carried out at Willows using a minimally invasive technique.
“We considered this carefully with Micki’s wellbeing in mind and decided to go ahead as we had confidence in both Erika and Lucy’s abilities and felt she was in safe hands at Willows.
“Micki returned home the day after her keyhole surgery, which began with a further 1.5 litres of fluid being drained and then the walls of the cysts successfully being removed.
“We are very grateful and would recommend Willows unreservedly. The team there afforded us and Micki the utmost care and consideration during the process and assured us that we can return to them at any time if we have any concerns.”
