Evaluation of renal biopsy in 197 dogs and cats

A retrospective study of needle biopsy of the kidney of 163 dogs and 34 cats was performed to evaluate its clinical value and postbiopsy complications. Complications included microscopic hematuria (41 of 53 cases in which urinalyses were performed within 48 hours following the biopsy), gross hematuria (4 dogs), and hydronephrosis (3 of 82 dogs and 1 of 19 cats necropsied). Satisfactory needle biopsy specimens were obtained by use of Franklin-Silverman, Metcoff, and true-cut needles. The necropsy diagnosis matched the biopsy diagnosis in 80 of 82 dogs necropsied and in 17 of 19 cats necropsied.