Percutaneous transabdominal hepatic needle biopsies in dogs

Ninety-six (4/dog) percutaneous transabdominal hepatic needle biopsy specimens were obtained from 24 dogs each weighing 10 to 24 kg. Two biopsies were performed in each dog before and 5 days after hepatopathy was experimentally induced. The difficulties encountered in obtaining hepatic tissue are reported for the first of each pair of biopsies. All specimens were of diagnostic quality for light and electron microscopic evaluation. Adverse consequences (morbidity or mortality) resulting from the biopsy technique were not observed by monitoring of vital signs in the immediate postprocedure period and at 4 weeks. Recovery to an ambulatory state was seen in <=30 minutes, except in 1 dog, in which prolonged recovery was attributed to acetylpromazine-induced hypotension..