Cavan-based vet, Gerard McGovern, was recently presented with a case of nephrosis, a degenerative disease of the renal tubules.
A post-mortem examination on a 3-month-old calf, with a history of increasing abdominal distention, weight loss, abdominal fluid thrill and anorexia, produced some interesting and unusual findings, the vet explained in a post on Instagram.
15-litres of clear fluid
The abdomen, the vet said, contained about 15-litres of clear fluid (ascites) and the right kidney was swollen, with dilation of the renal pelvis.
“Histological examination of the kidney suggested a diagnosis of hydronephrosis.”
“Nephrosis is a degenerative disease of the renal tubules - It is not a common finding in cattle. In this case, considering the age of the calf, the most likely cause is a congenital constriction of the urinary tract.” McGovern outlined.
“Ascites is an abnormal accumulation of extracellular fluid in the abdominal cavity.”
“The likely cause of ascites in this calf was due to loss of plasma protein, as a result of severe kidney pathology, leading to oedema,” McGovern concluded.
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