Continued
As promised last week, let’s look at some more of the physical changes and decreased organ functions in the elderly pet.
Lung capacity decreased
Lungs also lose their elasticity during the aging process, and the ability of the lungs to oxygenate the blood may be decreased. Older dogs may be more prone to respiratory infections, and may tire more easily, because they can’t inhale enough oxygen with every breath. As the oxygen goes into the lungs, it reaches the red blood cells, which then take it to all the body’s organs via the blood circulatory system.
Decrease in kidney function
As animals age, the risk of kidney disease increases. This may be due to changes in the kidney itself, or result from the dysfunction of other organs such as the heart, which if not functioning properly, will decrease blood flow to the kidneys. Kidney function can be measured through laboratory tests on the blood and via an urinalysis. These tests can identify a kidney problem well before there are