It sounds to me like there is an overiding problem for young Sturmie (like the flu) and that kidney failure is being caused by that problem (from a symptom like dehydration). Several years ago we lost Pande to kidney failure (diagnosed thru blood panel) due to old age (8+). On vet's advice we changed her diet to one with less protein and took her in periodically for sub-q fluids to help clear out the toxins her kidneys were not able to handle. This only helped for a short time (she definitely felt better after each treatment though), and we kept having to do it more frequently. The sub-q fluids were very uncomfortable and stressful for her (she looked like a balloon) so the decision was made to put her down. She in her wisdom went into a coma and died the day before she was scheduled to. Yes, some kidney damage can be reversed. One of our cats showed some damage thru a blood panel. She had not been drinking enough water due to the effects of her epilepsy medication. We were able to correct this and put her on a lower protein diet and in subsequent blood panels she showed no damage whatsoever. A blood panel shows how the organs are functioning thru many individual readings. The glucose reading is what they'll pay attention to for insulinoma although I wonder if it will be accurate if Sturmie is off his food. With insulinoma you want a high protein diet, and with kidney problems you want a low protein diet. Many thoughts and much luck. Shelly (SC Ellis-Blackwell) [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2551]