Need 2nd opinion

Hello. I have a male cat, 17 year old. Known chonic kidney disease. By vet orders takes loot of support meds, including daily sodium chloride. Recently blood started appearing on urine. Urine results show indeed blood, very high protein. Vet did an ultrasound and couldn't see one kidney, other could. Saw something on bladder, not sure what. Vet gave some drops to take daily, 6 drops per day. And a cystitis med. Still blood after 1/2 weeks. I think the vet does not know what the problem is and says the blood is from the kidney, nothing can be done. Also suggested acunpucture. What should I do? There's nothing I can do? What about the bladder "thing" that was seen?

Hello - I agree that a second opinion may help to clarify things here, but second opinions need to come from someone who - officially and on paper - knows as much about the case as your vet has found out (i.e. the results), and knows more about kidney disease than your vet.  Such a person is usually a feline medicine specialist, or someone with a specific interest in kidney and / or bladder disease, or a more experienced vet.  They should see the previous clinical notes, all the meds that your cat is on and blood results; this is usually best sent direct from your vet for a referral. You should ask your vet:  'Can your refer this case to an expert for an urgent second opinion please?'  - Most vets will be pleased to do so.  A second-best option would be an open conversation with your vet in which they explain the case so that you fully understand what is going on.  You have a problem list:  blood in urine, one kidney missing?, very high protein in bladder.  What different possibilities do they know which explain these symptoms (this is called the 'differentials' list and may include kidney problems and a birth defect or bladder problems - I assume that the protein in the blood confirms that the high protein is a consequence of kidney disease, but your vet might have done tests that show this).  What is the least serious explanation for the results of their tests?  Do they need to do anything further to prove what is causing the symptoms (and will it make any difference)?  Once you understand what the vet has found and what it means, the way forward should make sense.

In summary then, a second opinion would probably help to settle your mind, but by the sounds of things this needs to be arranged quickly.  Your vet should be able to help to sort this out.  Failing that, now the initial news has sunk in a bit, it may help to sit with your vet and talk through the tests they have done and what they show, and how (or if) they know that they have this right and there isn't another cause of the symptoms.  Thinking of you at this incredibly stressful time and I hope that this helps a little.