The resistive index (RI), an ultrasonographic method of evaluating intrarenal resistance to blood flow, may be used to aid in diagnosis of renal failure. Values for arcuate artery RI, expressed as mean +/- two standard deviations, were obtained in clinically normal female dogs sedated with atropine, acepromazine maleate, diazepam, and ketamine hydrochloride. No statistically significant differences were noted between the values for the right kidney (0.33 to 0.57) versus the left kidney (0.32 to 0.56); however, the values were statistically significantly lower than values reported for nonsedated, normal dogs.