What are the normal characteristics of the kidneys and ureters in cats according to ultrasound?
Location of the kidneys
Anatomy of the kidneys
Appearance of the renal cortex
Size of the kidneys
Relationship between renal size and pathologies
Diffuse parenchymal diseases
Increase in cortical echogenicity
The kidneys are located in the dorsal region of the abdomen, in the retroperitoneal space on both sides of the vertebral column and the aorta and caudal vena cava.
The kidneys have a cranial and caudal pole, a lateral and medial border, and a dorsal and ventral surface.
The renal cortex is echogenic and the medulla is hypoechoic.
The normal size of the feline kidney varies between 3.8 and 4.4 cm.
The thickness of the cortical region is used to differentiate between chronic kidney disease and acute kidney failure.
An increase in cortical echogenicity is a common finding in cases of renal failure.
In cases of acute renal failure, there may be an increase in renal size and retroperitoneal fluid.