Caring for Senior Dogs
Dogs are being cared for in their senior years more and more. As a vet, I regularly see healthy dogs aged 17 and 18 years of age (that’s 126 in human years!). To be able to maintain quality of life for senior dogs a regular vet check provides information and treatment for medical and behaviour conditions that affect senior dogs. All of these conditions have a better treatment outcome if they are detected and treatment started early in the course of the disease.
Arthritis causes pain, difficulty getting up from sitting, inability to climb stairs or get on the bed or the lounge, unwillingness to go for a walk or finish a walk or even aggression when handled due to pain. Arthritis can be managed with medication to provide pain relief, joint and diet supplements, weight loss and building ramps to replace stairs and keeping your dog warm.
Organ failure, like kidney or liver disease can be managed with diets and medication and avoiding harmful medication. The symptoms liver and kidney disease can be subtle. They include, drinking and urinating more than normal, weight loss, or just ‘not themself’.
Heart disease can be managed with medication. Dogs with early heart disease may just be running out of energy on a walk or they may also have a cough, weight loss, or heavy breathing. Some senior dog’s that have a cough may have lung disease, which can also be managed with medication.
Loss of vision can sometimes be treated with cataract surgery. Loss of hearing can be managed by teaching the dog hand signals.
Senior dogs can also develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CSD) or ‘Doggy Dementia’, which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Changes happen in the dog’s brain that affect memory and thinking and result in changed behaviour. The behaviour changes can be very subtle and can include;
• Wandering aimlessly, seems to get stuck in the corner or do not recognise the owner.
• Sleeping in the day and restless at night, may pace or bark at night.
• Toileting inappropriately.
• Not greeting you like before.
• Increased or decreased appetite.
• Aggression.
Treatment involves keeping the dog mentally active, increased antioxidants in the diet, which have been shown to improve alertness and medication to stimulate the brain and improve dullness and lethargy.
Older dogs can enjoy a great quality of life, emotionally and physically. For some dogs, you will need the support of your vet to give your senior dog this quality. A senior pet check if recommended for all older dogs every 6 to 12 months (that is the same as a human seeing the doctor every 3 to 6 years).
