Sonographic application in the diagnosis of pyelonephritis in cattle.

Nineteen cattle with pyelonephritis were examined sonographically. A 3.5- and 5.0-MHz convex transducer was used for percutaneous and a 5.5-MHz linear scanner for transrectal examination. Ultrasonographic changes included enlarged kidneys, echogenic material, and flocculent fluid within a dilated and deformed renal sinus and a poor cortical medullary differentiation. Azotemia was detected in 10 and hematuria and proteinuria in all animals. Microbial culture revealed Corynebacterium renale in eight and Escherichia coli in five cattle. Sonography supplemented the clinical examination and clinicopathological analysis by providing additional information on renal disease in these patients.