Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage for treatment of pyonephrosis in two dogs

Pyonephrosis refers to suppurative destruction of the parenchyma of the kid ney with complete or nearly complete loss of renal function. In dogs, nephr ectomy is still the most common treatment for pyonephrosis; however, in the present report, a mettled for percutaneous ultrasound-guided drainage of t he renal pelvis in dugs with pyonephrosis that does not require local or ge neral anesthesia was described, and results of tile procedure in 2 dogs wer e reported. Briefly, dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected side up, and skin overlying the affected kidney was aseptically prepared. The di lated renal pelvis was punctured percutaneously, under ultrasound guidance, with a 22-gauge needle, and a sample of material was obtained for analysis . The needle was then replaced with an IV catheter, and as much pus as poss ible was removed from the renal collecting system. A povidone iodine soluti on was then used to lavage the renal pelvis. Ultrasound-guided drainage and lavage of the renal pelvis was repeated daily until the renal pelvis was s o small that it could no longer be punctured. Both dogs recovered and were reported by the owners to be healthy after the procedure.