Imaging findings and clinical outcome in three cats with possible inflammatory ureteritis

Abstract Three adult cats presented to our institution for evaluation of non‐specific clinical signs and azotaemia. All cats had sonographic evidence of renal pelvic and ureteral dilation, concerning for a ureteral obstruction without a definitive mechanical cause identified. Anti‐inflammatory doses of corticosteroids were administered over an extended time course, and in two cases, shorter courses of immunosuppressive therapy were administered. Serial sonographic exams in all cases revealed improved to resolved upper urinary tract dilation, which often fluctuated directly with corticosteroid dosage. This case series proposes a new clinical entity, ‘inflammatory ureteritis’, which is suspected to be a ureteral obstruction due to ureteral inflammation or spasm that leads to impairment of peristalsis and/or temporary obstruction. As it is potentially a dynamic process, this condition may respond to corticosteroid +/‐ immunosuppressive therapy, thereby minimising the need for interventional procedures.