Ureteral obstruction

This ventrodorsal radiograph was taken of a rabbit that was presented unexpectedly dying. He had been treated for 'gut stasis' a week previously and had apparently recovered. There is a stone in the left ureter and the left kidney is hydronephrotic.This image shows the size of the right and left kidneys. The left kidney is enlarged because it is hydronephrotic. The arrow points to the stone in the left ureter that was blocking urine outflow from the kidney. The right kidney looks small and contains a large kidney stone.Sudden obstruction of the ureter by a stone or an adhesion can cause sudden death from shock. The hydronephrotic kidney is large and often pale. Careful examination of the ureters will show the cause. This can be aided by radiography.