The transition from a young pup to senior canine is a slow transition. Although it is natural, there are certain things you can do to help relieve or slow down some of the problems that come with your aging dog.
These are natural normal signs of elderly dogs, and are inevitable. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, the rate of aging can be quite different. For example at 10 years of age, a dog under 20 pounds is approximately equivalent to 56 human years. Compare the same aged dog (10 years old) that is over 90 pounds, and they are equivalent to approximately 78 human years.
Vets usually consider a small dog to be senior citizens around the 12th year. A large breed dog reaches the same stage around their 7th year. This is according to a report from Tuft’s University.
Using established guidelines to determine when your dog starts entering their golden years will help to understand any changes in behavior and health. Keeping regular checkups with your vet is also most important as your dog ages, as any irregularities can be found early.
Signs of aging and tips to help keep your senior pet as perky as possible are:
Difficulty getting up from lying down, or limping and difficulty moving could indicate arthritis. Your vet can help recommend supplements or proper modified exercise routines to relieve discomfort, and increase mobility. Usually the proper supplements such as glucosamine will relieve mild arthritis symptoms.
Although graying hair and drying skin are quite normal in aging canines, a nice daily massage and a regular grooming routine can help your senior pet’s skin condition improve. Also, because of the slowing down in daily routines for your senior dog, this can be your special bonding time set aside to make him/her feel special and also break up a boring day and give you both something to look forward too.
Certain breeds such a Labrador Retrievers are also known to be genetically predisposed to arthritis and hip problems. Different breeds have different genetic problems that you should be aware of when you first adopt your puppy, so you can look for signs of the problem as they age.
Excellent nutrition from puppy hood will help delay or decrease the speed of which the aging process proceeds. Your dog’s life will definitely be shortened if he is overweight because more diseases and illnesses are likely to be caused by obesity.
The dog’s environment should be kept clean and free of parasites, fleas, and ticks. This will certainly help increase the chances of a longer life.
Vision and hearing ultimately become diminished in your aging dog. Try not to startle your dog by changing his environment (moving furniture, changing the location of his bed, etc.). With diminished hearing you will have to attempt to get your dog’s attention in other ways, such as clapping your hands, or standing in front of him and using hand motions.
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite needs to be checked out immediately by your vet.
Also a sudden increase in appetite, especially with no weight gain involved may indicate diabetes. Also a sudden increase in thirst is also a sign of diabetes. This also needs immediate attention from your vet.
Excessive panting in your senior dog may indicate heart disease. If this continues for more than a day this is another reason to get to the vet as soon as possible.
As with any dog, diarrhea and vomiting lasting more than a day needs to be checked right away.
And finally, and possibly the worst problems to watch out for in your aging dog are the behavioral changes. Just as when we deal with our elderly family members who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, dealing with a pet with drastic personality changes can be traumatic for both of your. Some symptoms to watch for are: Confusion, lack of attentiveness, disorientation, roaming in circles, barking for no reason, elimination accidents and being withdrawn. Also uncharacteristic aggression may start in old age. Try to keep your old dog’s environment as stable and unchanging as possible as this may help.
It is difficult to watch the deterioration slowly change our robust, vibrant and active puppy into a slow moving, tired and sometimes cranky family member. The transition to the “golden years” do not need to be traumatic if you watch carefully and notice the gradual changes. As they happen, taking care of them will minimize their severity, and your dog can be eased into senior status with minor problems. We can always enjoy our pets at any age, just as long as our expectations change with their needs.
Ask any pet owner and they will tell you that your dogs health problems should get the same attention as we give to our own health problems. Our dogs can face the same illnesses that we do, such as: arthritis, depression, diabetes, kidney infection or disease, hepatitis, prostate or liver disorders, and even cancer. That’s in addition to unique dogs health problems like heartworm and kennel cough, to name just a few. Throw into that combination of dogs health problems, fleas and ticks and you can quickly see what your dog can face.
Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I wish my dog could just tell me what’s wrong?” You will be happy to know that they do often tell us, maybe not in words, but in their behavior and appearance. You have to put your doggy doctor’s hat on and be observant of your dogs health, because early detection of a dogs health problem can mean that medical treatments are usually simpler, less expensive and more successful.
Good dogs health care requires watching for behavioral changes like loss of energy, appetite, or elimination problems. Examine your dog’s eyes, they should be bright and clear, in older dogs the lens may be pale. Although your dog’s nose should be moist and cool most of the time, a dry warm nose does not always mean fever. Feel your dog’s body and limbs for lumps or soreness. Watch that his bowel movements are regular and well formed and his urine is clear. Your dogs coat is shiny and sheds normally.
Have you noticed your dog shaking his head or holding it to one side, rubbing his head against the furniture or carpet? Ear infection is common with dogs, so for good dogs health, check his ears. Do they smell bad or are they tender or red? Is there a yellow, brown or black discharge in one or both ears? Usually this is an outer ear infection and is easily solved.
First, try to clean the ears with white vinegar. Pour a small amount into the ear canal then massage the area gently and dry the ear with a cotton ball. Do this once a day until the ear is better. If after a few days you still notice your dog scratching the ear frequently, this can lead to more serious problems: causing blood vessels to break in the earflap and swelling, which can cause permanent ear damage, so take your dog to the vet.
Take your dog’s health care seriously. If your dog is down and you’re not quite sure what is wrong; take your dogs temperature. This rectal temperature reading is not difficult but is usually best performed with two people, one holding the dog. Lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly and slowly slide it into the dog about an inch deep. Wait about two minutes for a mercury thermometer. If your dog sits on the thermometer and breaks it, give him a teaspoon of mineral oil to cause a bowel movement. Do not attempt to remove the thermometer yourself, and call your veterinarian immediately.
A dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 100.5° Fahrenheit (38.1°C) and 102.5° Fahrenheit (39.2°C). If you ever find your dogs temperature below 99° Fahrenheit (37.2°C), or above 104°Fahrenheit (40°C) this is extremely serious and you should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.
A dog’s health care is usually uncomplicated; most dogs lead healthy and normal lives and overcome the occasional upset stomachs, cuts and bruises. If you keep your dog on a normal diet, give him lots of love and attention, you will most likely only need to see the vet for check-ups and vaccinations.
When it comes to your dogs health care you must learn to trust your gut feelings. If your dog shows signs of illness consult your veterinarian. Remember that you can put on your doggy doctors hat and gather the clues: but your veterinarian is the only one that can make a final and accurate diagnosis.
In an emergency visiting a veterinarian can be stressful for both you and your dog. Anxiety builds with each moment because not only are you are concerned for your dog – but you have no idea of what this visit will cost. You feel a little intimidated because you don’t want to come right out and ask; that feels a little tacky, but yet you need to know. Most dog lovers agree that having pet insurance is the only way to go. You’ll be glad to know that pet insurance for your dog and other animals is usually a lot less expensive than you think; and through the course of your dog’s life, you can actually save money by having pet insurance!
As the pet owner, your dogs health will be your main responsibility. That is why it is very important that you can perfectly manage it. This way, you will be able to extend the life of your pet. You will also be able to provide him with a sound mind and body, allowing him to be your most perfect company and source of entertainment.
Generally, the kind of care and treatment that you are going to give will be dependent on their dog health problems. Nevertheless, just to make sure that he remains healthy all throughout his life, here are some pointers:
1. Get him some exercise. Though there are dogs that are normally inactive, they still need to be exercised in order to strengthen their stamina, as well as to prevent them from getting obese because of constant eating. You can ask some assistance with your vet regarding which type of exercise is perfect for your breed.
2. Provide him with dog health supplements. Your dog needs nourishment, but you can further improve his overall health condition through dog health supplements. You just need to make sure, however, that these are well-trusted brands. Otherwise, they may have some negative effects to your dog.
3. Prepare a vaccination schedule. Just like those of humans, there are also dog health vaccinations. They can help prevent infections and viruses from damaging the health of your puppy. You have to maintain a vaccination schedule since some of them may require a follow-up either few months or years, while your dog is growing up.
4. Annually take him to the vet. The vets are the most ideal persons to answer dog health questions, though you can find some good information in the World Wide Web these days. Their experience and knowledge will help you understand dog health a lot better.
5. The number one tip that I can give you is to educate yourself on dog health. Different dog breeds have different health problems. Some dog breeds have problems with the seizures. While other dog breeds can have problems with their joints and bones. Getting an information resource on dog health is something that every responsible dog owner should do. Not only can they help you with the major problems associated with some dog breeds. They can also help you with the every day, minor ailments that every dog owner will face from time to time.
Educating yourself on dog health with the good information found on the World Wide Web will help you from taking unnecessary trips to the vet. This equals into saving you a lot of money from unnecessary vet bills.
