Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance in geriatric dogs

To compare arterial blood gas pressures and acid-base balance in geriatric and young adult dogs, 23 clinically healthy aged dogs (> 10 years old) and 16 young adult dogs (two to four years old) were studied. Blood gases (PaO2 and PaCO2), pH, Na, K, Ca and Cl were measured in arterial blood samples using selective electrodes. Haemoglobin was quantified with a co-oximeter. Total proteins and phosphorus were measured by spectrophotometry in plasma. The alveolar to arterial PO2 gradient (P(A-a)O2), bicarbonate, anion gap and the base excess of blood were calculated. Quantitative analysis of acid-base balance was carried out by calculating unidentified anions. Old dogs had significantly higher P(A-a)O2 than young dogs (2.5 +/- 0.3 versus 1.4 +/- 0.3 KPa). Although the differences were not significant, aged dogs also had a lower PaO2. No differences were detected in PaCO2, pH, Na, K, Ca, Cl, haemoglobin, phosphorus, bicarbonate and base excess of blood. Plasma proteins were higher in old dogs than in young dogs (7.1 +/- 0.2 versus 6.5 +/- 0.2 g dl-1). Anion gap was increased in aged dogs; however, no changes were found in unidentified anions. In conclusion, an increase in P(A-a)O2 has been identified in a group of geriatric dogs. No major changes have been found in the acid-base balance of aged dogs.