UNITED KINGDOM – A beloved pet cat almost died after her kidney grew to 600 percent of its normal size – literally resembling a Melon.
Six-year-old Milly’s kidney was dangerously close to rupturing, which would have killed her instantly.
Milly the cat almost died after her kidney grew to the size of a melon
The swelling was caused by hydro-nephrosis, which is a rare condition that causes a blockage in the tubes that transfer urine to the bladder, meaning it builds up in the kidney.
However, the vets at White Cross Vets in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, successfully operated on Milly and removed the kidney – saving her life.
Owner Danielle Evans was petrified that the rare condition could’ve killed her cat
Owner Danielle Evans, who is 35 and from Newcastle-under-Lyme, stated: “When we found out what was wrong with her it was a heart-breaking time.
“She was a rescue cat and when we got her she was all skin and bone, apart from a little bulge in her tummy.
“We just thought she liked eating. She always loved sleeping on her back, especially in front of the fire.
“One day when she twisted on to her back you could really see it.
“We took her to the vets straight away and they operated the next day.
“We did break down crying when we found out what was wrong with her. The vets operated on her the next day.
“They really are like her guardian angels.”
Milly’s kidney grew to 600 per cent of its regular size
Mrs. Evans and her husband Philipp, who is 42, got Milly and another tabby, Squidgy, from a local rescue centre just four years ago when their two children, 14-year-old Jack and nine-year-old Faye, absolutely fell in love with them.
She stated: “The kids did not come with us to the rescue centre so they were so excited when we brought them home.
“The cats were rescued from a property where they had just been abandoned and they were like skeletons.
“Even then she had a bit of a bulge but the vets did not think anything of it.
“We always used to think she just loved her food. It was just like she had a belly on her.”
When Milly was brought into the vets, an ultrasound scan ended up revealing the extent of the problem.
The moggie was successfully operated on at White Cross Vets in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Vet Laura Oliver, who was the one who performed the operation with doctor Matthew Bayliss, stated: “When we first saw Milly she was lethargic and uncomfortable and it soon became obvious why.
“The kidney had swelled so much that even the slightest amount of pressure could have caused it rupture.
“The kidney was so big that it actually made it difficult to remove. It is certainly one of the most extreme cases I have ever seen.”
“Hydro-nephrosis can be caused by a number of factors and some cats are born with abnormalities that can cause it but, just like us, most can cope fine with only the one kidney.”
