摘要Background:Refined models of kidney disease are critical to better understand dis-ease processes and study novel treatments while minimizing discomfort in research animals.The objective of this study was to report a technique for minimally invasive partial kidney embolism in cats and describe outcomes following transcatheter ad-ministration of embolic microspheres with subsequent contralateral nephrectomy.Methods:Eleven,apparently healthy,male,purpose-bred cats underwent unilateral kidney embolism with 0.25 or 0.5mL of embolic microparticle(40-120μm)suspen-sion(0.2 mL microspheres/mL)delivered into the right renal artery under fluoroscopic guidance,followed 5 months later by contralateral nephrectomy.One month after ne-phrectomy,blood and urinary markers of kidney function were evaluated,and embo-lized kidneys were harvested for histopathology evaluation.Results:Renal artery embolization was possible in all cats.Two cats did not complete the study,one after experiencing congestive heart failure(n=1)and the other fol-lowing evidence of complete kidney embolism precluding nephrectomy(n=1)post-embolization.At study end,compared to baseline,cats had significant increases in median(range)serum creatinine(159.1 μmol/L[141.4-530.4]versus 128.2 μmol/L[92.8-150.3];p=0.0004),urea nitrogen(15.71 mmol/L[9.29-47.85]versus 7.50mmol/L[6.07-8.57];p＜0.0001),and symmetric dimethylarginine(0.74μmol/L[0.59-3.12]versus 0.67μmol/L[0.54-0.72];p=0.0288)concentrations.No differ-ences in markers of kidney function were documented between dose groups.Conclusions:Minimally invasive kidney embolism is a promising technique for mod-eling kidney disease in cats.Understanding optimal dose,timing of nephrectomy,and longer-term consequences requires additional work.