Unilateral nephrectomy in dogs with renal disease: 30 cases (1985-1994).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate indications for and complications, efficacy, and effects on renal function of unilateral nephrectomy in dogs with renal disease, and to evaluate the role that scintigraphy had in the decision to excise a kidney.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
30 dogs with renal disease that underwent unilateral nephrectomy. A comparison group of 12 dogs with renal calculi that underwent renal scintigraphy but not nephrectomy was included.


RESULTS
Indications for nephrectomy included renal or ureteral calculi (n = 10), renal mass (8), chronic pyelonephritis (5), perirenal mass (3), severe hydronephrosis and hydroureter (3), and renal hypoplasia with ureteral ectopia (1). None of the dogs were azotemic before surgery. Renal scintigraphy apparently influenced the decision to perform nephrectomy, because in 14 of 16 dogs that underwent nephrectomy, the affected kidney contributed < or = 33% of the total glomerular filtration rate, but in 6 of 8 comparison dogs that underwent nephrotomy, the affected kidney contributed > 33% of total glomerular filtration rate. Complications of nephrectomy included oliguria (5) and organ laceration (2). Mean +/- SD final serum creatinine concentration for 16 dogs alive at least 6 months after nephrectomy was 2.2 +/- 1.8 mg/dl. Three dogs had chronic renal failure of undetermined cause at the time of death. Nephrectomy did not completely resolve the underlying disease in 13 dogs. Renal function was evaluated in 6 dogs 2 to 3.5 years after nephrectomy and was impaired in 4. None of the dogs were anemic, azotemic, proteinuric, or hypertensive. Survival time varied depending on the underlying disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple factors contributed to the decision to perform nephrectomy. Unilateral nephrectomy resulted in few serious complications and was not detrimental to the remaining kidney, but did not always resolve the underlying disease.
Gookin
J L
JL
Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
Stone
E A
EA
Spaulding
K A
KA
Berry
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000662:veterinary; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome