A 3-year-old 4.56-kg castrated male domestic shorthair cat was referred because of bradycardia. The cat had had a decreased appetite for 2 days but did not have any other history of important medical problems.
At the time of evaluation, the cat was weak and showed signs of depression. Physical examination revealed tachypnea (respiratory rate, 52 breaths/min) and normothermia (rectal temperature, 38.5 °C). A normal heart rate (140 beats/min) was detected, and the heart rhythm was regular. There were no cardiac murmurs or abnormal breath sounds during thoracic auscultation. The femoral pulse quality was normal, and no cold extremities were detected.
Serum biochemical abnormalities included high concentrations of creatinine (23.2 mg/dL; reference range, > 2.0 mg/dL), BUN (< 130 mg/dL; reference range, > 30 mg/dL), and potassium (9.70 mmol/L; reference range, 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/L). Results of a CBC were within reference limits. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography revealed ureteral stones and severe hydronephrosis bilaterally. On echocardiography, atrial filling velocity was not detected. Thoracic radiography revealed no abnormalities. Given the cat’s clinical signs and abdominal radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, a diagnosis of acute renal failure secondary to ureteral obstruction was made.
