BILATERAL PERINEPHRIC PSEUDOCYSTS LAND POLYCYSTIC KIDNEYS IN A FERRET

A 3-year-old castrated male domestic ferret was evaluated for abdomina l distention. Survey lateral and dorsoventral abdominal radiographs we re made. There were two soft tissue radiopacities consistent with gros sly enlarged kidneys displacing small bowel and colon cranially, ventr ally and caudally, Abdominal ultrasound was performed and revealed bil ateral perinephric pseudocysts and polycystic kidneys. The perinephric pseudocysts were found to be dilated renal capsules on exploratory su rgery and were drained. On follow up examinations, the pseudocysts wer e drained by ultrasound-guided paracentesis, The perinephric cyst flui d was distinguished from urine by measuring creatinine concentration a nd plans were made to resect the renal capsules due to rapid re-accumu lation of pseudocyst fluid. The ferret's condition deteriorated and eu thanasia was performed. Post-mortem examination was declined by the ow ner, Perinephric pseudocysts are rare and this is the first published report in a ferret. Ultrasound examination is the most rapid, accurate and non-invasive method for diagnosis of perinephric pseudocysts.