Changes

==Kidney Function in the Old==

==Kidney Function in the Old==

As the animal begins to get old its glomerular filtration rate drops mainly due to two factors.  One being a reduction in the number of nephrons and the other being vascular changes.  Under normal conditions these kidneys function well but their reserve capacity is very limited.  This is an important consideration when you consider that many drugs are excreted in the urine therefore if GFR is reduced their excretion will be also meaning an older animal will have higher plasma levels of the drug for longer.  

As the animal begins to get old its glomerular filtration rate drops mainly due to two factors.  One being a reduction in the number of nephrons and the other being vascular changes.  Under normal conditions these kidneys function well but their reserve capacity is very limited.  This is an important consideration when administering drugs as many are excreted in the urine therefore if GFR is reduced their excretion will be also meaning an older animal will have higher plasma levels of the drug for longer.

==Kidney Function in Newborns==

==Kidney Function in Newborns==