If you have dogs, you will note that they age a lot quicker than we do. The lifespan of your dog depends on its size and breed. Larger dogs have a lifespan of between nine and 14 years whereas the smaller dog can live up to 16 years or more. However, giant breeds of dog rarely live over 10 years. So, determining your dog’s senior years depends upon its breed. A dog is considered a senior during the last 25% of its life. Generally speaking, a giant breed of dog is considered a senior at about age six, other large breeds enter their senior years around seven or eight while a small breed like your Chihuahua may not be considered a senior until about age 10 or 11. Work closely with your local Rockford area veterinarian or when closest to your home to know when your dog is of the senior years and the special care it needs.
Having a senior dog requires special care as their bodies change just as ours do. As a result, your dog’s activity level will decrease while the inner body will respond to food and medication differently than it did as a young dog. Medication should never be given without vet recommendation, and how your dog responds to medication can be significantly different. A senior dogs system is more delicate and could respond to medication with vomiting, depression, lethargy, weight gain, weight loss, and excessive thirst. If you dog is responding negatively to medication, stop giving it to your dog and call your veterinarian.
A common concern with the senior dog is in their diet. Because of aches and pains they may be experiencing, your dog is eating the same but moving around much less, which can cause weight gain. And the other hand, if your dog is losing weight, there may be a medical or dental issue that should be addressed. Sometimes when on certain medications your dog may have a loss of appetite. These concerns should be brought up to your veterinarian and he may prescribe putting your dog on a special diet.
Tooth and gum disease are very prevalent in dogs if you do not keep up with oral hygiene. You should be brushing your dog’s teeth daily or at least a couple of times a week. Oral disease causes extreme bad breath in the senior dog. If the smell is unusually foul, your dog is vomiting and has no appetite, this can indicate liver disease. A very sweet or fruity breath along with excessive drinking and urinating may indicate a diabetic condition.
If your senior pup appears to be restless during sleep, maybe you need to provide a new orthopedic bed for more comfort. Also, senior dogs need to relieve themselves more often, preventing them from getting a good night’s sleep. However, if your dog appears to nap more during the day, it may just be out of boredom. Of course, if your dog is on any kind of medication, that could be making him drowsy. There is a condition that affects dogs known as canine cognitive dysfunction or CCD, which is similar to humans with Alzheimer’s. This condition, which I will discuss in a later article, does affect your dogs sleep patterns.
As a dog ages, their sight begins to fail and they may seem to bump into things. Try not to change things in the home as a dog over the years memorizes where everything is and is less likely to have accidents running into furniture. Be sure to block off stairs as well so your dog doesn’t fall. Actually another common problem you may experience is when you call your dog with no response because of the onset of deafness. We all know that some dogs just as children do have selective hearing but you can tell if your older dog is not hearing you.
Many senior dogs experience arthritis which may be another reason you get no response when calling. It is difficult to move without pain in an arthritic condition. Because your dog may have visual or hearing problems, it may not be unusual for him or her to snap at the hand that feeds it. The aging process is causing a lot more stress on the dog and it surely doesn’t mean to hurt you, the pet parent, but sudden surprises and fast movements may scare your dog. A natural response to fear is aggression. If you have children, they need to know their limitations, such as, do not disturb a dog when sleeping, eating, while in its special bed or crate and if it feels cornered. Just as humans, the senior dog can become a little cranky during its tender years. This may be a concern as well if you have a new puppy and it may be necessary to monitor the dogs when together or keep them apart if you are not available to watch them. Obviously a new puppy wants to play all the time and the old gal or guy does not. The puppy may not get the message and end up getting hurt.
As a dog ages they begin to have accidents in the home and this can become a real problem. It may be due to a weak bladder, failing kidneys or an inflamed bowel. It could also be the result of CCD in your dog. Sometimes there is an issue with constipation in your dog due to diet. Talk to your vet about the proper diet for your dog and refrain from table scraps. The older dog’s system cannot handle different things in their bodies any longer. Also, just as you do with a new puppy, you probably have to take your older dog outside more often. If your dog is hesitant to go outside, and is having difficulty relieving itself, it can be due to arthritis and other pain affecting your dog. An older dog sometimes cannot and does not want to deal with weather change either. Of course, if there is a decrease in vision and hearing, which could be a reason your dog is afraid to go outside. If your dog is frightened, use a leash to make your dog feel safe outside knowing that you are right there beside it.
Always consult with your veterinarian as there are always ways to make your pet feel more safe and comfortable throughout the senior years of his life. They have a way to give us the best years of their lives and you want to do the same for your best canine companion and family member.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/when-is-a-dog-considered-senior/page1.aspx
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/commonly-asked-questions-about-senior-dogs/page1.aspx
For Vet assistance in the Rockford area, you can check out - http://www.rockfordvetclinics.com/, http://bellwoodvets.com/, http://www.petswelcome.com/illinois/rockford/veterinarians.html http://www.perryvillepet.com/, http://bellwoodvets.com/services_surgical.php - for all cat issues, go to - http://local.catster.com/Spay_Neutering_Rockford_IL-p3154-Rockford_IL.html
For all your pets needs in Rockford, go to your local PETCO - 6305 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 229-0184 - http://www.petco.com/or your local PETSMART - 6320 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, (815) 397-7880 - http://stores.petsmart.com/result-details.php?store=493 - PETLAND, (815) 332-4200 - www.petland.com/
For many of your pets essentials, visit your local Rockford area CVS pharmacies. There are four convenient locations - 3134 11th Street, Rockford, IL 61109, (815)398-0048 - 110 S Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61108 - 3718 Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103, (815)877-9620- 2454 S. Alpine Rd.,
Rockford, IL 61108, (815)399-5421- http://www.cvsphoto.com/home
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