changes

What to Expect as Your Dog Ages

You aren't getting older, you're getting better – at least, that's what a lot of people tell themselves. The same goes for our dogs, but we can't ignore some of the changes that occur as the years advance. Every dog ages differently but there are some common changes that occur as the body gets older. Many vets start to consider most breeds of dog "geriatric" at about eight years. The dog might not look or act old but there can start to be signs of wear and tear and the organs may not work as well as they once did. One of the best things you can do for your older dog is to continue with regular vaccinations and veterinary checks. Here is a list of the 20 most common things that develop in elderly pets.

Loss of hearing. As dogs age, the nerve cells and hearing apparatus degenerates, resulting in a slow loss of hearing. Get your vet to check for ear infections although some loss of hearing has to be lived with. Dogs quickly learn to follow hand signals and they tend to use their noses a lot more.

Loss of vision. The lens of the eye becomes cloudy with age. Natural changes result in lenticular sclerosis, which typically does not cause significant vision loss. However, cataracts may develop, which do interfere with vision.

Decreased activity. As dogs age, their metabolic rate slows. This results in a decreased activity level.

Weight gain. Elderly dogs require 30 to 40 percent fewer calories.By eating a normal maintenance diet, obesity often develops. Consider feeding a diet specifically produced for the older dog. Senior or light diets have less calories without losing the essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimum health.

Infections. As the body ages, the immune system weakens, making it harder for the dog to ward off infections. Ensure that your dogs vaccinations are up to date, some vaccines aren't needed every year, others such as leptospirosis must be renewed annually, especially as older dogs may have a weaker immune system. Ask for a full examination including eyes, ears and heart and perhaps take a urine sample with you as this can show early signs of kidney problems and diabetes.

Skin changes. The skin often thickens and darkens with age.

Loss of hair or whitening. The advance of years causes hair to lose its normal pigment, turning white. The ability of the hair cells to regenerate also deteriorates and hair loss is common, often seen as patches of hair loss.

Loss of skin elasticity. Old skin not only thickens but also loses elasticity. The most visible sign of this is in the male dog. The prepuce slowly becomes more pendulous as the dog ages.

Change in feet and nails. Footpads begin to thicken and the nails become brittle, making it harder to trim the nails properly. Regular checks of feet and nails is essential as arthritis often changes the shape of the feet leading to overgrown nails.

Arthritis. Muscle, bone and cartilage decrease with age. With less cartilage, the bones begin to scrape against one another, causing the pain of arthritis. There are lots of ways to keep the joints moving. It is important to keep the dog slim: older dogs often put on weight as they tend to be kept on the same rations despite being less active. Exercise should be regular and easily managed by the dog. It is important to make sure the dog is fit in summer - when muscles become weak, the joints will be less well supported and can become painful. Many supplements are available, including fish oils, glucosamine, chondroitin and MSN. Herbal medications can also be useful, as can accupuncture from a trained vet. If all else fails to give some relief modern anti-inflammatories are effective and safe for long term use.

Tooth loss. Dental calculus that develops over time eventually causes tooth loss. The teeth also begin to lose minerals, contributing to the tooth loss. Many older dogs suffer dental pain from broken teeth, abcesses and gum disease. Though it may be daunting to have your older dog "knocked out" for dental treatment it is safer done electively while they are well, than as an emergency when they can no longer eat.

Gastrointestinal upset. Over time, the stomach lining begins to deteriorate, and the level of digestive enzymes from the pancreas falls. The result can be more nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and/or diarrhea.

Constipation. With age, the colon has more trouble moving fecal matter, which causes more frequent constipation.

Less energy. As the lungs lose elasticity, the volume of the lung decreases. With less lung capacity, the dog becomes tired more easily. In addition, the bone marrow becomes fatty and is not as functional as younger marrow. This results in a slow onset of anemia, which causes weakness and less ability to exercise.

Incontinence. The kidney function and control over the urinary bladder sphincter slowly lessens, resulting in an increased incidence of urine leakage.

Straining to urinate. In males that are not neutered, the prostate often enlarges with age. This causes some constriction of the urethra, resulting in some difficulty in passing urine.

Mammary cysts and tumors. Elderly female dogs have a higher incidence of lumps, cysts and tumors within the mammary glands. This is more common in dogs that are not spayed. Get any lumps and bumps checked out by your vet. Though warts and fatty lumps (lipomas) are the most common, all lumps should be checked to catch tumours early.

Loss of house-training. Over time, the cells within the brain slowly decrease. As the cells die, senility develops. A common occurrence with senility is a loss of house-training.

Heart murmurs. Heart valves scar and lose function as they age. This often results in heart murmurs, but usually does not cause a medical problem.

Hair coat changes. In the senior dog, the skin becomes dry and scaly. It loses luster and looks dull. Sometimes you may notice a thinning of the coat as the dog ages, consider putting a coat on your dog when out in the cooler weather.

Thanks to better nutrition, better veterinary care and excellent care on the part of the owner, dogs are living longer. Learning what to expect as your dog ages, you can give your dog the best quality of life possible in his golden years.
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The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.