USE OF 99mTc-MERCAPTOACETYLTRIGLYCINE TO EVALUATE RENAL FUNCTION IN HORSES

Ten healthy horses were injected intravenously with 99mTc-MAG3 and the disappearance of radioactivity from the blood was measured. The total body clearance (Cl(B)) and elimination half-life (t1/2(beta)) were 7.9 +/- 1.5 ml/kg/minute and 32.8 +/- 4.1 minutes, respectively. The disappearance of 99mTc-MAG3 from the blood of 2 horses with compromised renal function was also measured. The data suggest that 99mTc-MAG3 is a useful and clinically applicable radiopharmaceutical for measurement of effective renal blood flow in the horse.     

THE EFFECTS OF A UNILATERAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED RENAL BIOPSY ON RENAL FUNCTION IN HEALTHY SEDATED CATS

Complications of renal biopsies are well documented except for the change in renal function after a biopsy. Eighteen healthy, adult cats were divided into two groups (n = 9 cats/group). For the measurement of global and split renal function, Group 1 used the renal uptake of 99mTc-DTPA and Group 2 used the renal uptake of 99mTc-MAG3. Scintigraphic data were collected on days (-4), (-3), 0, 1, 2, and 4 post renal biopsy. Using ultrasound guidance, biopsies were taken from the right renal cortex on dO, before acquiring scintigraphic images. P - values less than 0.10 were considered significant due to the limited number of observations. The only statistically significant change (p = 0.08) in global renal function detected was by day following a unilateral renal biopsy. Cats imaged using 99mTc-MAG3 had discernible liver activity. A unilateral, ultrasound guided renal biopsy has minimal effect on renal function in normal, healthy sedated cats.