Chronic uremia syndrome in dogs induced with uranyl nitrate

11 adult female dogs were given periodic intravenous injections of uranyl nitrate [UO2(NO3)2 . 6H2O] to create a syndrome of chronic uremia. Initially, dogs usually received 2.0 mg/kg of uranyl nitrate; subsequent doses were generally less. After the initial injection, there was an abrupt fall in creatinine clearance and rise in plasma urea nitrogen. Low and relatively constant creatinine clearances (10.2 +/- SD 2.7 ml/min) were easily maintained with further injections. Dogs developed proteinuria, aminoaciduria, weight loss, and plasma amino acid levels similar to those of chronically uremic humans and rats. With creatinine clearances of 4 ml/min or less, dogs became listless and lethargic, and daily activity and food intake decreased. Repeated injections of uranyl nitrate appear to be an easy and reliable method for creating a model of chronic uremia in dogs.