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.