Nefrite crônica acentuada associada à atrofia renal severa em canino: relato de caso

Abstract

The kidneys are organs responsible for homeostasis maintenance and for maintaining several other physiological mechanisms. Considering their anatomical and morphological conformation, associated with their absorption and excretion functions, the kidneys are sensitive ischemia, infection and toxicity. Pyelonephritis is the inflammation of the renal pelvis, tubules and interstitial, generally associated with the rise of pathogenic organisms from the urinary bladder to the pelvis or renal tubules. A spayed bitch, 3.6 years old, weighing 7.5 kg, came for an orthopedic clinical evaluation and during pre-surgical exams, creatinine was found to be 1.4 mg/dL (borderline). The patient underwent an abdominal ultrasound exam, which revealed a fluid collection with abscess characteristics at the right kidney. In sequence, the animal was referred for an exploratory laparotomy and a nephrectomy was realized. The organ was submitted for histopathology examination, which confirmed the presence of severe chronic pyelonephritis. Asymptomatic kidney alterations are common, highlighting the importance of doing a careful clinical evaluation and auxiliary imaging exams, such as abdominal ultrasonography for a possible diagnosis. Generally, pyelonephritis occurs due to ascending bacterial infection through urinary stasis, urethral obstruction, kidney stones, immunosuppression or trauma. The patient presented a scar in the right kidney region; therefore, so it can be suggested that the animal was subjected to some type of trauma, corroborating the diagnosis that was later confirmed by histopathological examination. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need to consider pyelonephritis as a possible diagnosis in dogs, even in the absence of characteristic clinical signs, and the importance of adequate and early treatment to ensure the patient's recovery.