CROSSED RENAL ECTOPIA WITH FUSION IN A CAT

In humans, crossed renal ectopia is a rare, usually asymptomatic, congenital malpositioning of the kidneys, involving wandering of one or both embryonic kidneys across the midline and usually fusion with its contralateral partner. This is the first report of crossed renal ectopia in the cat. A 7-year-old, neutered male cat was presented with polyuria, polydipsia, and a palpable abdominal mass. Diagnostic investigations, including clinical pathology, survey and contrast radiography, and ultrasonography, confirmed the presence of an ectopic left kidney fused with an orthotopic right kidney, with concurrent renal failure and hypertension. Many features of crossed renal ectopia in this cat are similar to those described in humans, however the vascular supply, the presence of renal failure, and the axial rotation of the fused kidney are atypical.