Pathology of the urinary system

 

 

 

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6

 

DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES AND FAMILIAL RENAL DISEASES

 

 

1) Renal aplasia (agenesis) 

 

   ∙ 

a rare developmental abnormality in which one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) kidneys fail to 

develop; 

   ∙ 

familial incidence in some breeds of dogs;  

   ∙ 

like many other developmental anomalies, renal aplasia is frequently associated with other 

congenital abnormalities, e.g. heart defects, dysraphism (spina bifida), abnormal development of 

gonads, etc.; 

   ∙ 

bilateral renal aplasia is not compatible with fetal life and thus causes abortion or fetal 

mummification; 

   ∙ 

unilateral renal aplasia is often an incidental finding, being accompanied by hypertrophy of the 

remaining kidney.