Smokey's Kidneys

[Corporal Smokey]

  for your help as always. He was insured by a "free trial period from CP jobby" with PetPlan at the time but then I had him insured with Tesco days after his apppointment (by coincidence).

Maybe I'll get his bloods done when he next goes in for anything to put my mind at rest if nothing else. At least if I know he's at any risk, I can stick him on a kidney function diet (not a CRF one or anything).

I'm so paranoid about kidneys after losing Hope. I had no idea about CRF and she was showing symptoms for months (constipation, drinking lots). My vet at the time (I've moved since) didn't even mention the possibility and it breaks my heart that I lost her a matter of months after diagnosis. By this time I had become an expert but it was far too late for my little angel.

  again, you're all wonderful xx

[Desley (booktigger)]

Tiger had to have an ultrasound earlier this year, all they did was anasethetise her, shave a lot of fur and do the test, i suppose the only risk would be the anaesthetic. I personally wouldnt do it if it wont make any difference to how you treat him though.

[Gillian Harvey]

The original note on your file was, as you say,  purely an observation by your vet and not a diagnosis so shouldnt affect his insurance. Whether you already had him insured or took out the insurance after the observation by the vet, it should make no difference I wouldnt have thought.

Persians arent more prone to kidney disease than any other cat. PKD (which ultimately leads to kidney failure) has been a problem, not only persians, but many other pedigrees (and it is seen in our domestic moggies too). However, if the vet thought his kidneys were enlarged I would probably ask for a blood test to check his kidney function, then maybe do a scan, depending on the results. The scan will just show you whether or not he has cysts already, but it won't really tell you anything about his kidney function. To put you mind at rest though, the scan is not an invasive procedure at all if you did decide to have it done.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

did you take out his insurance before he saw the vet or after?

[Corporal Smokey]

There is a note on his file which was made before I took out the policy, although it was more an observation and not any form of diagnosis.

The test is £60, which I'd pay rather than going via insurance and paying excess anyway. That side of the money's not too much of a problem it would be the long term cost of kidney problems if the insurance didn't pay out.

Sorry, it's Tesco he's insured with, Josh is AXA and I'm not very clever.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

No I dont think you should say anything to Axa as he was not diagnosed with anything but I am unclear from what you say whether any thing was on his file.

I think the way to go if you wanted an scan is to find out how much it is and then get in touch with Axa to see if they will pay, depending on the cost if it was me and wanted to have him scanned i would just do it anyway and hope they paid out.

You should have a claim form from AXa so you can see what questions they ask your vet and if in doubt ask the vet how these questions will be answered.

I am used to a vet being ummmmmmm economical with the thruth and just saying basics, cos I never had any probs with claims in London, never have made one for the current cats so there should not be a problem.

[Corporal Smokey]

I went to the vet months ago when Smokey had a bout of conjunctivitis just after I'd homed him. At the time, the vet said his kidneys were on the large side and there was a small possibility of him developing problems of a PKD nature later in life. He was very confident and didn't recommend doing anything without any other symptoms. He just said that he may develop cysts 

I carried on as normal, I knew the risks when taking on a badly treated persian and Smokey is fine and insured and lovely.

I went in today on a totally unrelated matter and just asked out of interest if there was a note on my file about it as I was concerned over the validity of the insurance and there was. I asked the vet what I should do (different vet) and she explained that an ultrasound would clarify whether he has anything wrong or not.

So here's my dilemma. Do I put the Corporal through an ultrasound? I've never done this with a cat so I'm not sure what it means for him. If it comes back clear, and he develops problems later in life, will the insurance be valid? Should I tell AXA?

Ooooh so many questions! Smokey's health is fine, although he is persian so more susceptible to kidney problems, and he is 2 1/2 years old.

Any help greatly appreciated!