title: Arterial blood gas tensions in healthy aged dogs.
abstract: Twenty-four healthy dogs > 8 years old were recruited. In each instance, arterial blood gas tensions were analyzed. The alveolar-to-arterial oxygen gradient (P[A-a]O2) was calculated to assess adequacy of pulmonary gas exchange. Thoracic radiographs were evaluated to ensure lack of visible signs of pulmonary disease and that lung features were similar to those in aged dogs of previous reports. Unlike findings in aged human beings, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) was not decreased in this group of aged dogs (mean +/- SD, 102.9 +/- 7.8 mm of Hg). Similarly, P(A-a)O2 also was not increased. The thoracic radiographic findings were consistent with those of previous reports of pulmonary changes in aged dogs. The extent of radiographic abnormalities and the PaO2 were not correlated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6010.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hendricks
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen