Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ ๐ค๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ฒ๐ฌ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ ๐ค๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ฒ๐ฌ are where then kidneys become fused together during development, producing a horseshoe shape.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any species can get this!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
The cause of this condition is unknown, and it does not appear to be genetically linked. Itโs just one of those random, strange occurrences when an organism is developing!
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Thankfully, these kidneys donโt tend to cause problems. Because the ureters are still separate, each kidney functions as normal.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Because these kidneys function normally, typically they are only diagnosed when doing diagnostics for other problems! For example, they might be seen on X-rays or ultrasound, or during necropsy.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
There is no specific treatment for this condition. If affected animals do have a urinary issue, the issue can typically be treated in the same way as a normal animal.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-5) Examples of horseshoe kidneys from different species!
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 2. Sixth Edition.
Photos 1-5 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Carpenter, Jakowski, Rech, Crowell, Wright licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
