Elderly Dogs Deserve Special Attention
My-Dog.info > Dog Care
by Karen A. Kandra
With advancements in veterinary medicine and nutrition, pets
are living longer than ever before. Geriatric medicine is gaining
in popularity as the demand grows for more attention to our aging
pet population.
Most dogs are considered "old" around eight or nine
years. Large and giant breeds are considered middle-aged around 6
or 7. Smaller breeds tend to live much longer than large breeds,
even into their mid-teens.
Canine senior citizens have more needs, and require more
attention. Their sight and hearing may diminish, and they will
require more sleep and move more slowly. Stairs may become a
hardship, so sleeping arrangements may need adjusting. They need
to go out more often, as bladder and bowel control may weaken
with age. They still need appropriate exercise, frequent
grooming, and proper nutrition. Since they may have fewer teeth,
a soft diet may be necessary.
Most changes with the aging process occur gradually, but there
are several things to watch for, and preventative steps to take
to ensure that your favorite dog will keep active and healthy
into his/her golden years. Regular veterinary examinations are
critical to a dog’s health. It is important to keep a
detailed medical history and continue regular veterinary visits
to ensure a long, healthy life for your dog.
Obesity is a major problem with dogs in our society, since
owners tend to feed table scraps in excess. Serious health
problems may result from obesity. Extra weight puts a strain on
the animal’s heart, lungs, skeleton, and muscles, and lowers
resistance to disease. Regular moderate exercise and proper
nutrition are essential to maintain optimal weight and health.
Arthritis often affects older dogs, and causes them to slow
down and lessens their ability to climb steps or jump up on a
favorite chair. If your dog shows signs of arthritis, your
veterinarian can examine him and may suggest radiographs. Your
veterinarian then may be able to prescribe an appropriate
medication to lessen the pain, and give the dog more mobility.
Heart disease is more common in aging dogs. Initial signs are
coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and even fainting
spells. If diagnosed in the early stages, medications are
available to treat the symptoms of heart disease that can help
your dog live a more normal life.
Your dog will benefit from regular grooming to stimulate the
coat and skin. During grooming sessions, check for skin disorders
or dry, irritated skin, or oozing sores under the coat. This is a
good time to notice any lump or growth that has appeared. Often
these are benign growths, but may require surgery, especially if
they are growing. Your veterinarian can help guide you with these
decisions.
Bathing is only suggested on rare occasions, since frequent
baths remove natural protective oils from the skin. If he is
dirty, or shows evidence of fleas, he may be bathed in lukewarm
water using mild shampoo. Be sure to rinse the soap thoroughly.
Also look for parasites that may cause discomfort. Fleas are
common, but can be controlled by oral medication or topical
products, including powders, sprays, collars, or dips. Contact
your veterinarian for recommended prevention or treatment.
Eyes should be cleaned of any discharge with a soft cloth
moistened with water or saline solution. Ear discomfort is
indicated by scratching or head shaking. Infections can settle
deep in the ear canal and should be treated by your veterinarian
immediately.
The dog’s mouth should be examined periodically for signs
of gum disease, and tartar accumulation. This is an important
part of the annual veterinary examination, and any problems
should be addressed immediately. Many older dogs lose their
teeth, or they may be extracted if disease or infection is
detected.
Elderly dogs may exercise less frequently on hard surfaces to
keep their nails filed down, so it is your job to clip their
nails, to keep them comfortable. Neglected nails may cripple a
dog.
Preventing Accidents
Extra precautionary measures should be taken with elderly
dogs. As their hearing and eyesight diminishes, they should be
supervised more closely, and not allowed to fend for themselves.
They may not see or hear cars or life-threatening hazards. Do not
allow them on balconies, or stairwells without supervision.
Keep poisons out of reach of any animal. Many popular
household plants can be toxic to dogs, including cyclamen, ferns,
philodendrons, dieffenbachia, and other varieties. Cleaning
solutions such as detergents, bleaches, oven cleaners, etc. may
pose hazards as well. Make sure bottle caps are tight and the
rags used to apply these chemicals are stored safely out of
reach. Treat pets like children and keep medicines locked up, and
never leave candy, especially chocolate, where dogs may have
access to it.
Outdoor hazards include windshield cleaners, antifreeze, weed
killers, used motor oil, and insecticides. Antifreeze has a sweet
taste, and just a few licks can be fatal to your dog. Other
hazards include rodenticides used to kill rats and mice. If any
poisoning occurs, call your veterinarian immediately, and provide
a sample of the poison with the labeling to aid in proper
treatment. In an emergency, you may wish to call the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.
Avoid extremes in temperature. Of course, never leave any dog
in a parked car in hot weather, even with the windows open, and
never leave him outside without water and shade. Similarly, in
frigid temperatures, bring him indoors, and be sure he always has
shelter from wind, rain, and sun, even in mild temperatures.
Tolerance for temperature extremes is reduced with old age, and
you should always consider the dog’s comfort. In old age,
you may not want to take your pet on car trips as often, since he
may become uncomfortable with strange places, and would rather
stay at home in an environment where he is very familiar.
Your veterinarian is the best source of information
about all animal health matters.
In a medical crisis situation, call your veterinarian
immediately if you detect any of the following symptoms:
• abnormal breathing
• abnormal behavior
• active bleeding
• bone exposure
• puncture to abdomen, chest, or neck
• watery or bloody discharge
• partial or complete paralysis
• difficulty urinating
• profuse vomiting or diarrhea
• poison ingestion
• bloated or tender abdomen
• rectal temperature over 103 degrees F or under 99
degrees F
• dehydration
• abnormal color of gums or eyes
• disorientation
• collapse
Never give any medication (even aspirin) without
consulting your veterinarian.
Together you and your veterinarian can have a positive
influence on your dog’s happiness and comfort and ensure
that the quality of life is maintained during the senior years. A
lifetime of love should be rewarded with special attention.
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