title: Effect of nephrotomy on renal function and morphology in normal cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess effects over 12 weeks of bisection nephrotomy on renal function, size, and morphology in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled, randomized, blinded experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten adult female cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), determined by quantitative renal scintigraphy using (99m)Technetium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, urinalysis, urine culture, and ultrasonographic measurement of renal size were performed preoperatively. Left or right nephrotomy (5 cats/group) was performed. Total and individual kidney GFRs were determined at 2, 28, and 84 days, ultrasonographic measurements at 28 and 86 days, and ultrasound-guided biopsy at 86 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in mean GFR and kidney size of operated versus unoperated kidneys were observed. Individual GFR and renal size of all except 1 cat remained within normal limits. Two cats had evidence of transient ureteral obstruction in the immediate postoperative period. No significant, generalized histologic abnormalities were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bisection nephrotomy in normal cats does not adversely affect renal function or morphology during the initial 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bisection nephrotomy can be safely performed in normal feline kidneys without causing a significant deleterious effect on renal function. Studies in cats with pre-existing renal insufficiency are needed to ensure adverse effects would not occur in clinical cases where this surgical procedure is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. mdking@vt.edu
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Don R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: Don L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Martha M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Geoffrey K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Gregory C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Troy
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zimmerman-Pope
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000662:veterinary*; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary*; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate