Research Article

 

Diagnostic and Anatomical Studies on Unilateral Hydronephrosis in Domestic Cats

 

Hitham Abdel-Saeed1, Reem R. Tahon2*, Mohamed E. Ali1

1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt; 2Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

 

Received | June 16, 2021; Accepted | July 12, 2021; Published | August 25, 2021

*Correspondence | Reem R. Tahon, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt; Email: reemtahon@gmail.com

Citation | Abdel-Saeed H, Reem RT, Ali ME (2021). Diagnostic and anatomical studies on unilateral hydronephrosis in domestic cats. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 9(10): 1641-1648.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2021/9.10.1641.1648

ISSN (Online) | 2307-8316; ISSN (Print) | 2309-3331

Copyright © 2021 Abdel-Saeed et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Feline hydronephrosis is a common disease in feline practice that possessed challenging criteria for most practitioners, unilateral hydronephrosis is associated with silent symptoms and is difficult to be identified by the owner which is the main problem leading to dysfunction of other organs or death of the diseased cat. Most of the revealing studies mentioned that the increase in the size of the kidney was the main criteria of unilateral hydronephrosis but we proved that normal-sized kidneys suffered from unilateral hydronephrosis so that the main criteria in our studies are the loss of architecture of the kidney and increased renal pelvis width. Also, the previous studies revealed that there were no changes in biochemical parameter but we detected that those parameters were increased . Unilateral hydronephrosis may be caused by congenital ureteral stricture, adhesions after surgery, accidents, and obstruction by calculi. For the diagnosis of unilateral hydronephrosis; abdominal palpation is considereda standard in preliminary diagnostic steps, integration between hematobiochemical procedures, radiography, and ultrasonography is needed for achieving an accurate diagnosis. The feline kidneys were retroperitoneal organs adjacent to the sublumbar muscles on either side of the abdominal aorta and caudal vena cava (Aronson, 2013). The previous literatures lack the anatomical measurements of unilateral hydronephrotic kidney in addition to the changes in the kidney macrostructure. The anatomical kidney measurements of both healthy and hydronephrotic kidneys were a basic study for the clinician to differentiate the healthy kidney and the enlarged one. In our study, the renal pelvis was mostly affected in the hydronephrotic kidney to be extremely dilated at the expense of the renal cortex and medulla thickness to reach in progressive stages to be membranous kidney from extreme enlargement.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 

The institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) approval number was: Vet CU24112020258. Twenty-six domestic cats of both sexes with a weight range of 3-5 kg were randomly selected and studied. For the diagnostic studies; twelve healthy cats and nine cats suffering from unilateral hydronephrosis were examined, where two cat cases of the diseased group were studied anatomically for the kidney macro changes while another five healthy cats were used for anatomical dissection. The cats used for this study were collected from the teaching veterinary hospital, faculty of veterinary medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, also from private clinics.

 

Clinical examinations included complete medical, vaccination, dietary, management, and environmental history. Physical examinations included respiration; pulse rates and rectal temperature were recorded.

 

Laboratory analysis incorporated complete blood count (CBC), Estimation of biochemical blood constituents was applied comprising serum BUN and creatinine using specific kits supplied by Spectrum diagnostic Co. (MDSS, GmbH, Germany). Serum sodium concentration was established with specific kits supplied by Stanbio Laboratories, USA, while serum potassium by kits supplied by QCA Co., Spain.

 

Ultrasound examination was applied using an ultrasonographic device (Pie medical®) scanner, Netherlands with micro convex sector transducers 5-7.5 MHz. The radiographical examination was applied using an X-ray machine (Fisher imaging®).

 

The anatomical study used seven domestic cats for dissection and cast of the blood vessels and also the diseased cats with unilateral hydronephrosis. Five cats were used for the kidney morphology and blood supply studies, those cats were anesthetized with xylazine 1mg/Kg/IM and ketamine 20mg/Kg/IM. After muscular relaxation, they sacrificed using injection of sodium thiopental at 2.5% in the lethal doses of 60mg/Kg/IV. Fresh dissection and cast for the blood supply and venous drainage was applied. Three cats were dissected freshly for kidney morphology in situ then separated and further dissection occurred then fixed by 10% formalin. Two cats were injected with colored blue and red latex neoprene into the caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta respectively, and then fixed by freezing overnight.

Two diseased kidneys with unilateral hydronephrosis were collected in pet clinics, one from a cat died in an accident and the other was collected after unilateral nephrectomy. All figures were photographed by sony camera h400,20.1 megapixels, 63X optical zoom cyber shot.

 

Statistical analysis

All data about clinical examinations, haemato-biochemical findings, ultrasonographic and anatomical measurements were recorded, imported to a Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheet. The t-test was applied using SPSS program version 2016, P-value ≤0.05 was considered significant according to Levesque (2007).

 

RESULTS and Discussion

 

Diagnostic study

Physical examination

The main recorded clinical signs were pale mucous membranes, Anorexia, weight loss, Pollakiuria and hematuria. Abdominal palpation had a significant role in diagnosis through detection of one enlarged kidney and the other was normal size.

 

Regarding physical examination parameters and in the light of statistical analysis (Table 1), results showed a significant (P≤0.05) increase in the respiration rate in diseased cats compared with healthy cats. Both pulse rate and rectal temperature showed a non-significant increase among diseased cats.

 

Hematobiochemical parameters

Statistical analysis of the hematological parameters (Table 1) showed a significant decrease in PCV (P≤0.001), hemoglobin concentration (P≤0.01), and RBCs count (P≤0.05) in diseased cats in comparison with healthy cats. In the terms of WBCs count and absolute neutrophilic count, statistics revealed a significant (P≤0.001) increase in both counts in diseased cats compared with the healthy group. Red cell indices including mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed a non-significant decrease in diseased cats.

 

In the term of serum biochemical parameters, statistical analysis results (Table 1) recorded significant (P≤0.001) increase in BUN level. Also, a significant increase (P≤0.01) was recorded for serum creatinine level. Both sodium and potassium levels showed mild non-significant elevation among diseased cats compared with healthy cats.

 

Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations

Radiographic examinations (Figure 1) revealed the presence of radio-opaque left renal calculi in two cases, where one of them suffered from marked enlargement of the left kidney.

 

 

Statistical ultrasonographical measurements (Table 2) were analyzed in both kidneys in healthy cats as mean ± standard error. In diseased cats with unilateral Hydronephrosis (Figure 2), two cases showed an increase in the length of the right kidney (measured length: 5.5 and 4.44 cm). Three cases showed severe enlargement in one kidney with loss of the criteria and architecture of renal parenchyma. One diseased case showed normal length and width of affected left kidney with loss of architecture of renal parenchyma. Also, marked thinning of both renal cortex and medulla were evident as a result of pressure made by the severely enlarged renal pelvis.

 

 

Table 1: Physical and hematobiochemical parameters cats suffered from unilateral Hydronephrosis.

 

Parameter group		Control group	Hydronephrosis (unilateral)
Physical parameters	Respiration rate (Time/min)	40 ± 1.04	45 ± 2.9*
	Pulse rate (Pulse/min)	129 ± 4.28	136 ± 5.86
	Rectal temperature (°C)	38.4 ± 0.05	38.6 ± 0.10
Hematological parameters	PCV (%)	38.9 ± 0.67	33 ± 1.46***
	Hb (g/dl)	10.6 ± 0.32	8.7 ± 0.50**
	RBCs count (×106 /µl)	8.22 ± 0.18	7.34 ± 0.32*
	MCV (Fl)	47.6 ± 1.02	45.6 ± 3.34
	MCH (Pg/l)	12.9 ± 0.21	12 ± 0.68
	MCHC (%)	27.3 ± 0.66	27.1 ± 2.44
	WBCs count (×103/ µl)	11.08 ± 0.32	16.49 ± 1.82***
	Absolute neutrophils (cell/µl)	7435 ± 297	13114 ± 1907***
	Absolute lymphocytes (cell/µl)	2985 ± 189	2714 ± 216
	Absolute monocytes (cell/µl)	537 ± 24.2	547 ± 64
	Absolute eosinophils (cell/µl)	123 ± 11.9	117 ± 24
	Absolute basophils (cell/µl)	0.00	0.14 ± 0.14
Biochemical parameters	BUN (mg/dl)	30 ± 0.90	44.5 ± 2.67***
	Creatinine (mg/dl)	1.5 ± 0.06	2 ± 0.18**
	Sodium (mmol/l)	147.8 ± 1.76	149.2 ± 4.47
	Potassium (mmol/l)	4.6 ± 0.10	4.8 ± 0.30

***p≤0.001 (high significance), **p≤0.01 (moderate significance) and *p≤0.05 (low significant).

 

Table 2: Renal ultrasonographic measurements (mean ± standard error) of both kidneys in healthy cats.

 

Parameters	Right kidney	Left kidney
Length (cm)	4.20 ± 0.14	4.10 ± 0.15
Width (cm)	2.42 ±0.09	2.36 ±0.10
Cortex (cm)	0.60 ± 0.02	0.58 ± 0.02
Medulla (cm)	0.61 ± 0.02	0.61 ± 0.02

 

Anatomical study

Kidneys of domestic cats were small bean shape with rounded poles (Figure 3E and 3F), light brown color, smooth unipapillated with no difference in shape between right and left. They were sublumbar and retroperitoneal organs caudal to the rib cage, with a flat dorsal surface and convex ventral surface (Figure 4A and 4B). The anterior pole of the right kidney was related to the caudate lobe of the liver (Figure 3E) by the hepatorenal ligament. The left kidney was caudal to the spleen, also it was movable. The caudal part only of right kidney could be physically palpated due to its relation with the liver. On the other hand, the poles of the left kidney could be palpated physically.

 

The right kidney extended ventral to L2 –L4 while the left kidney extended from L3-L4 so that the right kidney was situated more cranial than the left one. Also, they might appear on X-rays to be mostly overlapping each other. The healthy kidney of the cat was 3.0 the length of L2 while the hydronephrotic kidney reached 3.5 the length of L2 (Figure 1C).

 

Internal structure of kidney

The renal fibrous capsule was surrounding the whole kidney containing capsular veins and loosely attached to the renal cortex except in affected areas of the kidney (Figure 3D blue arrows) where adhesions occur. The renal cortex was light brown; its length was about 0.60 ± 0.02 and 0.60 ± 0.01 cm in right and left kidneys, respectively. Capsular veins (Figure 5D) appeared in shallow grooves on the external surface of the renal cortex, while in the sagittal section, the interlobular arteries and veins were viewed. The renal medulla (Figure 4) was divided into outer dark red and inner pale red in the sagittal section. Moreover, six dark red renal pyramids appear in the sagittal section which was divided by renal columns at the base of the pyramid. The inner medulla formed a crest leading to the renal pelvis which was a simple funnel shape in the middle part of the medial border with collateral recesses (Figure 4F) collecting the urine to the renal crest. The renal hilus was a depressed medial area, leading internally to the renal sinus.

 

Renal anatomical measurements

Renal anatomical measurements (Table 3) included the length of healthy right kidney of the cat was 4.21 ± 0.05 cm and the left kidney was 4.08 ± 0.04 cm the width of the right and left kidneys were 2.41 ± 0.05 and 2.70 ± 0.02 cm respectively. In the case of hydronephrosis, the length of left kidney increased to reach 4.8 ± 0.63 cm or more due to the increase in renal pelvis width 2.3 ± 0.37 cm. In one case of unilateral hydronephrosis we gathered that the total length of the kidney was normal but the renal pelvis width is increased (Figure 4G) while the renal cortex and medulla thickness were decreased.

 

 

 

Table 3: Renal anatomical measurements (mean ± standard error) in fresh specimen of healthy and diseased cats (unilateral Hydronephrosis).

 

Parameters	Right kidney	Left kidney	Hydronephrotic left kidney
Length (cm)	4.21 ± 0.05	4.08 ± 0.04	4.8 ± 0.63
Width (cm)	2.41 ± 0.05	2.70 ± 0.02	3.2 ± 0.26**
Thickness (cm)	1.5 ± 0.03	1.60 ± 0.02	2 ± 0.43
Cortex (cm)	0.60 ± 0.02	0.60 ± 0.01	0.3 ± 0.05***
Medulla (cm)	1.31 ± 0.02	1.42 ± 0.02	0.6 ± 0.05***
Renal pelvis (cm)	0.9 ± 0.01	1.01 ± 0.03	2.3 ± 0.37***
Renal artery length (cm)	2.71 ± 0.06	2.34 ± 0.05	--
Renal vein length (cm)	2.41 ± 0.03	3.11 ± 0.03	--

***p≤0.001 (high significance) and **p≤0.01 (moderate significance).

 

In physical examination, a significant increase in respiration rate came in the same context of Abdel-Saeed et al. (2020) who recorded a positive correlation between the increase in the level of BUN, acidosis, and increased respiration rate. In agreement with Segev (2011), there was a big kidney and small kidney syndrome for such cases. Also, Ragni and Fews (2008) recorded the presence of mass at the craniodorsal aspect of the abdomen with pain in cases with unilateral Hydronephrosis.

 

 

Regarding hematobiochemical alterations, the present study showed significant microcytic-hypochromic anemia with a reduction in PCV, Hb, and RBCs count in diseased cats. Similar findings were recorded by Mesquita et al. (2015). This can be explained by renal tissue damage made by a severely distended renal pelvis that put the case in the same situation as the chronic kidney injury. Present work revealed a significant increase in leucocytic and absolute neutrophilic counts in diseased cats which agreed with the findings of Snyder et al. (2005). It could be scrutinized that anemia and inflammatory process were linked in cats with unilateral Hydronephrosis as pyelonephritis was a consequence from destructive irritation made by stagnant urine at the renal pelvis. Serum biochemical results in diseased cats showed significant elevation of BUN and creatinine. These findings matched that of Lee et al. (2014) and Shipov and Segev (2013) as ureteral obstruction was a commonly recorded cause for acute uremia in cats. Another study described by Meldrum (2016) reviewed that decreased blood flow to the Hydronephrotic kidney resulted in decrease glomerular filtration and eventually acute kidney injury. The present result among serum creatinine was disagreed by Ragni and Fews (2008) who recorded normal creatinine levels in cases with unilateral Hydronephrosis. This may be due to the degree of severity of renal tissue damage. Also, severe hydraulic pressure made on the renal pelvis and cortex led to the loss of Bauman’s capsule space and cessation of filtration. Another reason that renal parenchymal function loss made the future recovery of the affected kidney poor which resulted in rising creatinine levels.

 

Radiographic examination in the present study revealed the presence of radio-opaque renal calculi with marked enlargement of the kidney. These findings came in agreement with (Ragni and Fews, 2008). In some cases, urinary calculi in cats may be very small that could not be detected via radiographic examination (Clarke, 2018).

 

Regarding the hereinbefore results of ultrasonographical examination (Table 2), these findings were close to that of Huynh and Berry (2017) as the widely accepted normal ultrasonographic measurement of feline kidney varies between 3 and 4.3 cm in length. The renal capsule was a thin linear hyperechoic structure. Normal renal cortex was usually slightly hypo- or isoechoic when compared with the liver parenchyma and hypoechoic when compared with the splenic parenchyma. The renal medulla surrounded the renal pelvis was very hypoechoic to anechoic. Debruyn et al. (2012) agreed with the present study in the description of Hydronephrosis as it was a dilation of the renal pelvis and presence of several diverticula with the accumulation of anechoic fluid in the renal pelvis. In severe cases, progressive compression of the surrounding renal parenchyma resulted in cortical atrophy, and only a small rim of cortical tissue surrounding the dilated pelvis was noticed.

 

Our anatomical study revealed that kidneys were sublumbar and caudal to the rib cage and the anterior pole of the right kidney was related to the caudate lobe of the liver, also the left kidney was caudal to the spleen which was in agreement with (Debruyn et al., 2012). Kidneys of cats were small bean shaped, which was in agreement with Aspinall (2004), on contrast, Seiler (2018) gathered that they were round or oval, moreover, Huynh and Berry (2017) stated that they were oval-shaped. Similar to the observations of Aronson (2013), who stated that the kidneys were nearly mobile. Kidneys were light brownwhile, Aspinall (2004) mentioned that kidney of cat was reddish brown.

 

In agreement with Aspinall (2004) and Seiler (2018), the kidneys extended ventral to L2 –L4, and the right kidney situated more cranial than the left one, also they may be overlapping each other. The right kidney extended ventral to L2 –L4, in contrast, Aronson (2013) mentioned that it was ventral to L1–L4. The left kidney extended from L3-L4, in the contrary, Aronson (2013) documented that the left kidney was situated at L2–L5.

 

The healthy kidney of the cat was 3 times the length of L2 which was in agreement with Farrow (2003) and Seiler (2018) and Aronson (2013) while the hydronephrotic kidney in our study reached 3.5 the length of L2 in contrary to Seiler (2018) who documented that normal cats may have larger kidneys from 2.1 to 3.2 times the length of L2.

 

Renal anatomical measurements in this study were in conjunction with Huynh and Berry (2017) and Miyabayashi (2001). While Maurya et al. (2018) documented that Cat’s right kidney length in cm 3.83 ± 0.46 and left kidney length 3.82 ± 0.32. Our study as well as Aspinall (2004) revealed that a capsule encircling by fat was easily trimmed in the normal one. Similar to the observations of Aronson (2013) and Haschek et al. (2010) that the kidney of the cat was unipapillary and have venous drainage, without parallel arteries, of subcapsular parenchyma, with veins on the surface in addition to veins in the capsule, while those of the dog are subcapsular.

 

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

We concluded that in some cases of unilateral hydronephrosis the measurements of the kidney were normal but there was the loss of architecture of renal parenchyma ultrasonographically and after surgical nephrectomy of the affected kidney we found anatomically an increase in renal pelvis width with a normal length of the kidney. Also, in other cases the renal pelvis was mostly affected in the hydronephrotic kidney to be extremely dilated at the expense of the renal cortex and medulla thickness to reach in progressive stages to be membranous kidney from extreme enlargement. In addition to, significant changes in biochemical parameters were detected where significant (P≤0.001) increase in BUN level and significant increase (P≤0.01) in serum creatinine level.

 

Novelty Statement

 

We viewed different finding in unilateral hydronephrosis which was different than the previous studies as the measurements of kidney were normal but there was the loss of architecture of renal parenchyma ultrasonographically and after surgical nephrectomy of the affected kidney we found anatomically an increase in renal pelvis width with normal length of the kidney. Also, the comparison between the healthy and hydronephrotic kidneys in their shape and positions and internal structure variations were illustrated.

 

Author’s Contribution

 

Hitham Abdel-Saeed and Mohamed El Saeed Ali had performed the diagnostic study on unilateral hydronephrosis in domestic cats, and Reem Rashad Tahon had carried out the anatomical study on healthy and hydronerphrotic kidneys in cats.

 

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

 

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