Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with both kidneys bulging through back muscles fixed by surgery
By Olin, Shelly J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2012·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bilateral lumbar hernias in a domestic shorthair cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-month-old female domestic shorthair cat weighing about 6 pounds was brought in because her owner noticed two lumps on her back that felt like her kidneys. After tests, the vet found that these lumps were actually her kidneys that had slipped out of place due to a rare condition called a lumbar hernia. The cat underwent surgery to fix the hernia and secure her kidneys back in place, along with a spay procedure. Thankfully, the surgery went smoothly with no complications, and the cat was on her way to recovery.
People also search for: cat back lumps · cat kidney hernia treatment · domestic shorthair cat surgery recovery
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2.8-kg (6.1-lb) 4-month-old sexually intact female domestic shorthair cat was referred for evaluation of bilateral, subcutaneous lumbar masses that were presumed to be the kidneys. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination findings included 2 mobile, nonpainful, 3×3-cm, bilaterally symmetric masses in the dorsolateral lumbar region. Abdominal radiography, ultrasonography, and CT confirmed bilateral body wall defects with renal herniation. Serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and excretory urography confirmed normal renal function. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Exploratory laparotomy, reduction of the kidneys, repair of the body wall defects, bilateral nephropexy, and ovariohysterectomy were performed. There were no perioperative complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lumbar hernia has not been reported previously in a cat. It is important for veterinarians to be aware that although rare, lumbar hernia should be included in the list of differential diagnoses for a lumbar mass or signs of chronic lumbar pain in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23176243/