That seems only fair, Fred!

That's our thought.

The University explained to us how they get potential donors -- from research labs and shelters. They get cats that are too old to be cute adoptable kittens but young enough to have good kidneys. Testing is done to make sure they're suitable donors -- for example, one cat they now have has cystitis or something similar on one kidney, so they're trying to adopt him out without him becoming a donor.

And adopting the donor is a non-negotiable condition. (It'll be interesting to have four cats in the house. I just hope the donor and Teddy will have enough time to bond while in the hospital.)

Once we get Teddy to Philadelphia, he goes through a tissue match test. Apparently finding a suitable match isn't too difficult for cats -- we're more likely to have to choose which of the suitable matches to take than to have to wait for them to find a suitable match. He also gets a cyclosporin test, and once that's done, the operation.

He'll be on cyclosporin (morning and evening) for the rest of his life, and at least in the short term, a weekly vet visit for blood work to adjust the dosage. Plus acupuncture will continue.

It'll still be a lot less time and effort than what we're going through now.

Survival rate (one year) is 60-70 percent. Which is far better than his chances if we don't have the surgery.

And adopting the donor is a non-negotiable condition.

This is just awesome. As is the whole having some hope thing, of course.

It sounds odd at first (free cat with purchase of kidney!) but makes a lot of sense. Best of luck to you!

Wow, I had no idea there were programs like that. Teddy gets a kidney, donor kitty gets a home, neat!

YAYAY! My 11:30 meeting was cancelled! Or, more truthfully, it was apparently never actually scheduled with the Higher-Ups. That makes my day so much better.

Wow on the kitty kidney! I'm afraid my Jo is too weak and possibly too old for that (at 13). Also, I'm sure the cost is ginormous. Still I love the idea!

Anyone know APA style? I need to know what to do with in-text citations where you have one that follows another when both cite the same source. Like I'm sure the first time you do the norm (Lawrence, 2007), but the second time (and even a third time) in a row, do you do something like (IBID)? I'm not up on APA style and would prefer not the purchase the damn thing. I've found some online resources, but not one tht answers this specific question.

GC, hang on, I'll go get the manual.

GC - I did something like, "blah blah blah" and also stated "blah blah blah" (Lawrence, 2007) and never got marked down for it or had it mentioned.

Kitty kidney transplant is really cool. Everything work out ~ma for you, Teddy and the donor.

OMG I HATE MY JOB/COMPANY/COWORKERS!