Abstract: Title - Retrospective evaluation of major complications associated with ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsy in dogs. Background- Renal biopsy is a diagnostic for assessment of proteinuria and renal disease. Major reported complications in 2005 were hemorrhage and death. Despite changes in technique there has not been a re-evaluation of complications associated with this procedure. Objective - To evaluate major complications associated with percutaneous ultrasound guided renal biopsy in dogs and to identify risk factors contributing to these complications. Animals - 76 dogs undergoing percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy. Methods - Multi-center, retrospective, observational study. Results - Major complications were death and hemorrhage. Of the dogs that died none were associated with the procedure. Severe hemorrhage appeared in 6/76 (7.8%) of patients. Pearson Chi-squared testing identified a positive correlation between elevated creatinine and severe hemorrhage (p = 0 .08). Dogs with a creatinine ≥5 mg/dL had a higher probability of hemorrhage (OR = 2.5). There was a positive correlation between older age and severe hemorrhage (p = 0.01). Hypertension (p=0.14) and weight (p=0.8) were not associated with an increased risk of complications. Hospitalized patients had a higher probability of hemorrhage (OR =1.7) compared to outpatients. Conclusions - Ultrasound guided percutaneous renal biopsies have a low occurrence of severe hemorrhage in dogs and can safely be performed on an out-patient basis. Patient variables have the potential to impact occurrence of complication and should be considered in the decision to pursue biopsy.  
