Bilateral simple ectopic kidney in a cat.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Feline Urology
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Ectopic kidney, or renal ectopia, is a congenital anomaly where one or both kidneys are not located in their normal anatomical position.
• While often asymptomatic, renal ectopia can be associated with other urinary tract abnormalities or complications.
• Diagnosis typically relies on advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and computed tomography.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old, apparently healthy, female domestic short hair cat presented for routine examination.
• Abdominal palpation revealed the kidneys were located caudally, outside their normal renal fossae.
• Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed bilateral ectopic kidneys, with the left kidney dorsal to the urinary bladder and the right kidney cranial to the left.

Findings:

• Both ectopic kidneys were of normal size and shape, with no signs of hydronephrosis or other structural abnormalities.
• Hematological, biochemical, and urinalysis results were within normal reference ranges, indicating no concurrent systemic disease or renal dysfunction.
• The ectopic kidneys were located in the caudal abdominal cavity, superimposed over the urinary bladder on radiographic imaging.

Implications:

• Bilateral ectopic kidney can be an incidental finding in cats and may not necessarily cause clinical signs or compromise renal function.
• This case underscores the importance of thorough diagnostic imaging in veterinary medicine, even for apparently healthy animals.
• Further monitoring is recommended to rule out potential long-term complications associated with ectopic kidneys, such as urinary tract infections or stone formation.