Regular visits to your veterinary will keep your senior healthier for years to come. Some ways you can help your pet would be early recognition of the problems that come with the aging process. The challenges of canine aging may at first seem daunting. But continuing advances in veterinary medicine, increasing availability of information about canine aging, and the pet product industry's response to the growing demand for products will help you meet them head on. The following are some signs you can look for.
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Failing eyesight
Your pets can start to bump into things in unfamiliar environments or miss the last step when going down a flight of stairs, keep in mind that cloudiness in your older dog's eyes does not necessarily mean vision loss. Some ways to cope are: provide navigation cues, announce yourself with your voice or footsteps, eliminate unsafe objects and conditions such as a coffee table with sharp edges, holes in pavement or the garden, and introduce your pet carefully to new environments.
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Hearing loss
If your pet sleeps soundly and no longer awakens to noises that would usually alert them, they may have hearing loss. There is little you can do to cure it, but it is good to recognize it. Some ways cope with hearing loss are: to teach them hand signals, and not to startle them with sudden movements or surprise them when they are sleeping.
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Dental disease
Dental disease is about the most prevalent kind of disease in all ages for dogs, and not just in older animals. Some things you would look for would be tartar(brownish stains at the gumline and bleeding gums), loose teeth, the refusal of eating kibble and treats, a new preference of soft food, pawing at the mouth, and vomiting due to not being able to chew the food properly. Some ways to cope are: not to be afraid of anesthesia. Most geriatric dogs can be anesthetized safely. There is more risk for the dogs health leaving the dental disease untreated. Doing regular brushings at home and having the teeth cleaned regularly at your veterinarians will help decrease future problems.
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Mental aging
The older your dog gets, the more common the incidence of mental deterioration. Some ways to determine mental aging are: pacing, aimless wandering, whining, confusing, disorientation (seeming lost, forgetting how to get in and out of the house), refusing food, inappropriate elimination, and changing interaction with the family. Ways you can cope are medication, which can be discussed with your veterinarian for the best treatments possible, diet and exercise, keep your dogs life calm, consistent and on schedule, and limit exposure to confusion or potentially upsetting situations, such as crowds and noisy children.
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Incontinence
Gradual onset of urinary or bowel incontinence, which shows up when your pet is sleeping or small amounts of leaking throughout the day is probably a sign of normal aging. Ways to cope are: equipment such as diapers and disposable puppy pads, trim hair in the areas that tend to get wet or soiled, and medication such as phenylpropanolamine or estrogen and collagen injections into the urethra (relatively new and expensive procedure). Before choosing to put your pets on medication, consult with your veterinarian for the best treatments possible.
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Arthritis
Arthritis causes discomfort and often serious pain to dogs. It affects their overall health, quality of life and ability to be your companion. Some things to look for are: difficulty sitting down, getting up from the floor, climbing stairs, jumping into the car or onto furniture, lameness and limping, slipping on wood and other types of flooring, stiffness, whimpering or aggression when touched on the back or hip. Ways to cope are: raised eating platforms, assistive harnesses and vests, ramps and steps, non-skid mats and booties, warming beds to ease aching joints, coats and sweaters for cold damp days, and buggies or strollers, as well as diet and exercise and nutritional supplements and medications. Some alternative therapies would be massage and acupuncture.
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Along with these physical signs senior dogs can also get problems such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism. It's important to have senior bloodwork and xrays done on any dog over the age of six.
Call today to schedule your senior dog exam with one of our excellent veterinarians 732-2210
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Teri Goodman, Dog Fancy August 2008
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