Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Aging immune system in dogs and cats - what to know
By McKenzie, Brennen A·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Loyal-Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Immunosenescence and Inflammaging in Dogs and Cats: A Narrative Review.
Plain-English summary
As dogs and cats get older, their immune systems change in ways that can make them more susceptible to infections and increase the risk of chronic diseases. This process, known as immunosenescence (the aging of the immune system) and inflammaging (low-grade inflammation that comes with aging), has been well studied in humans and rodents, but there is less information about how it affects our pets. The last major review on this topic for dogs and cats was done in 2010, and this new review aims to summarize what we currently know about these changes and their potential effects on health. It also looks at possible ways to help manage these age-related immune issues in pets. Overall, understanding these changes can help pet owners and veterinarians better care for aging dogs and cats.
Abstract
A consistent and important feature of biological aging is the change in the types and functions of cells comprising the immune system. Across various mammalian species, this change follows consistent patterns, including diminished protective capacity, leading to increased vulnerability to infectious disease, and increased low-grade chronic inflammation, raising the risk of numerous aging-associated diseases. Although these patterns are well characterized in rodents and humans, there is less evidence available in companion animal species. The most recent review of the literature evaluating aging changes in the immune system in dogs and cats was published in 2010. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the currently available information concerning immune system aging in these species and to review what is known about the clinical consequences of this process and about potential strategies for mitigation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40448658/