The effects of a unilateral ultrasound-guided renal biopsy on renal function in healthy sedated cats

Complications of renal biopsies are well documented except for the change i n renal function after a biopsy. Eighteen healthy, adult cats were divided into two groups (n = 9 cats/group). For the measurement of global and split renal function, Group 1 used the renal uptake of Tc-99m-DTPA and Group 2 u sed the renal uptake of Tc-99m-MAG(3). Scintigraphic data were collected on days (-4), (-3), 0, 1, 2, and 4 post renal biopsy, Using ultrasound guidan ce, biopsies were taken from the right renal cortex on d0, before acquiring scintigraphic images. P - values less than 0.10 were considered significan t due to the limited number of observations. The only statistically signifi cant change (p = 0.08) in global renal function detected was by day followi ng a unilateral renal biopsy. Cats imaged using Tc-99m-MAG(3) had discernib le liver activity, A unilateral, ultrasound guided renal biopsy has minimal effect on renal function in normal, healthy sedated cats.