Category: Issues and Treatments

Arthritis, Arthritis-the dreaded stiffness in joints that seniors experience as they age.I certainly have noticed that getting up in the morning is a delicate, slow,  maneuver .

What is arthritis and can it be prevented? Arthritis,or inflammation of the joints is a common problem, especially with large breeds, like the pointer. Arthritis can result in injury, infection, immune disorder, or simply wear and tear over the years.  Arthritis occurs when the cartilage  that cushions the ends of  bones break down over time. With arthritis, the cartilage gets rough and wears away, exposing the sensitive bone underneath.  Pain, inflammation and stiffness result. Arthritis can happen in any joint in the dog’s body. It is a  progressive disease , in that it gets worse over time.

There are many causes of arthritis in dogs: The most common is DJD  (Degenerative Joint Disease).  Large breeds put more stress by virtue of size .  Other causes

• Injury . Injured joints may become chronically unstable, causing wear and tear to cartilage and other joint structures
• Congenital joint problems, hip dysplasia, luxating patella. This is when joints develop abnormally.
• Infection (Lyme Diseases,septic arthritis) Most often in human not in dogs, however there have been occurrences of this disease in dogs. This occurs when the animals own immune system attacks the joints, leading to arthritis

Symptoms

The symptoms of arthritis depend on the dogs age.  A typical sign is a stiff or altered gait as the dog avoids bearing down on the affected limb.  A dog with shoulder trouble will no longer  be able to jump into the car.  Symtpons are often worse  when a dog gets up from rest.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will complete an exam, X rays will confirm the disease,. CT scans and MRI’s are the standards for diagnosing joint problems .

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause. Infections and inflammatory joint disease are treated with medication.Surgery  can be indicated for joint injury . The majority of  cases, treatment is first aimed at alleviating pain and slowing the progression of the disease.

Life Style Changes are Crucial for the Senior to alleviate pain

1. Weight Management

Keeping your dog slim decreases the strain on damaged joint

2. Keep your dog moving

Regular leash walks on  soft surfaces improve arthritis , strengthens the muscles that support the joints. Swimming and treadmills are beneficial as well.

Make Life easier

1) Use Ramp when getting in and out of cars

2) Use Elevated feeders

3) Orthopedic beds are soft on the joints

4) Manage Pain-Check with vet to determine which medication is right for you

Other Remedies

1) Acupuncture

2) Hydrotherapy

3) Swimming

There is no cure for arthritis,but you can provide your senior with a good , happy quality of life .

Long Live Seniors!!

Alternative Treatments

Acupuncture

Hydrotherapy

Pet Masseuse

Laser Treatment

>>>>> More to Follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your dog may appear to be healthy, but you can never really be 100% sure, can you? According to studies, 22% of dogs appear healthy but are stricken by some form of illness. This is where diagnostic and screening tests, like blood panels and x-rays, come in. With the help of x-rays and radiographs, the patient can be diagnosed for older dogs cancer.

When going for a veterinary visit, check if your senior pet has any lumps or bumps; because cancer is the most common illness among older dogs, you’d want to find out if your pet has any abnormal lumps. These lumps may either be benign or malignant. While the former grow slowly and are generally not too threatening, the latter, malignant ones, are aggressive and can easily spread throughout the body.

In finding out if your older buddy has the benign or malignant type, the size, appearance and location of the lump will be tested. The pathologist is the only one that can give a definitive diagnosis by examining the tumor cells via a microscope.  This sample will be sent by the veterinarian after obtaining it through needle aspiration or incision/excision biopsy.

Facing Cancer: Your Older Dog’s Pain

The subject of cancer is as scary in pets as it is in humans, but fortunately, there have been significant advances in cancer treatment for our canine companions. Like us, our dogs can benefit from better imaging, such as MRIs and CT scans, and advanced treatment options, which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Ultimately, the key to fighting cancer is early detection. Monitor your furry companion carefully.

Getting old is a normal and inevitable part of life. Though we cannot stop aging, we can take measures to ensure that our dogs’ senior years are truly their “Golden Years.”   (Read more here)

The possibility of your dog having cancer might be scary, but it’s a fact that you have to face if you truly want the best for your senior dog.

There comes a time when you have to face the truth: your dog is overweight. For older dogs, the realization should come sooner than later, because your dog’s health is at primary risk. Cancer, fatigue, heart disease—all these are problems that your older buddy might encounter just because of older dogs obesity. So how do you address obesity in your senior pet once and for all, before these health problems even set in?

1. Find out if your dog is obese or overweight based on the signs.

There are objective ways for you to figure out if your dog is obese. One is the rib test: if you can feel your dog’s ribs when you run your hand on the sides of your dog, then there is no obesity. If, on the other hand, you find yourself having a difficult time detecting the ribcage of your dog, then face it: your dog needs to shed some weight. Another way is to simply weight your dog and consult a chart.

2. Go to the vet.

Addressing older dog’s obesity

Explain your concerns to your vet and discuss the options for dieting and resetting your dog’s metabolism. The vet will help you evaluate your dog’s weight, and give you an idea of how much your dog needs to lose. Knowing how much your dog needs to take off is the most important thing to find out.

• Ask your vet for advice specific to your dog in relation to a weight loss program. In particular, the aim will be to reduce caloric intake (to about 60 percent of the current intake) and increase exercise.[9] You can help your dog cope with the calorie reduction by feeding her smaller portions more frequently through the day. It also helps to feed your dog at the same times every day.

• Ask your vet for a reduced fat/weight reduction dog food. Your vet will help you evaluate how much your dog should be eating.

• If you draw up a specific plan with your vet, be sure to follow it carefully.  (Read more here)

3. Record your dog’s diet changes. You can either download a chart or simply record your dog’s intake. It’s about time you use a measuring cup too, so you can be sure that your dog is eating just the right amount of calories.

4. Eliminate unnecessary treats from your dog’s diet. You should eliminate treats in such a way that they never go over 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. You should also start considering giving healthy treats such as celery, apples, string cheese, green beans, etc.

5. Start an exercise program. It’s never too late for your dog to exercise, no matter how old your fur buddy might be. Your dog’s exercise plan must in accordance with his weight. For example, small dogs should start with 400 meters each day of walking, up to 2.4 kilometers after a period of time. Large dogs, on the other hand, should start with an 800-meter walk, up to 2 miles of walking. Even playing fetch with your dog qualifies as exercise, and I’m sure your older buddy badly misses playing that game!

Lastly, you should monitor your dog’s weight often. Once a week should be fine and should allow you to identify the progress of your dog. Keep these five steps in mind and, before you know it, your fur buddy is back in perfect shape.

If your older buddy is advanced in age and suddenly diagnosed with cancer, should you move forward with the treatment, or should you simply let go for fear that your dog might not be able to withstand such an extensive and rigorous treatment option? Older dogs cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death for around 50% of senior dogs, may be a tough enemy to overcome, but it’s not impossible at all.

In fact, certain veterinarians, like Dr. Joanne Intile, don’t pay particular attention to a dog’s age when it comes to cancer treatment. For instance, it’s no more difficult to treat an older dog with cancer than a dog with Cushing’s disease or diabetes.

Should age factor in treating older dogs cancer?

There is certainly an emotional angle when considering treating geriatric pets with cancer. But what I think is most fascinating is how truly double-edged the angle really is. I’ve treated pets as “youthful” as 18 months and as “ancient” as 18 years. I’ve heard owners of young pets say, “We have to give him a chance! He’s so full of life” just as easily as they say “I can’t see him going through so many months of treatment just to have his already too short life cut even shorter.”

Owners of beloved senior animals are just as likely to treat their pet because “he was such a great companion for 15 years, I need to take care of him now” as they are to not treat because “he’s too old and frail to undergo treatment, and I wouldn’t want that for myself if I were his age.”   (Read more here)

It’s true: deciding whether to go on with treatment or let go is a difficult one, but the most important consideration is to always have the best interests of the pet at heart. There is no black and white way of looking at the situation, and there’s always an downside to every upside. But you know what? As long as your concern is the happiness of your pet, you should be at peace.

There’s no disease more dreadful—both for humans and dogs—than cancer. How do you deal with this complex disease, especially when it comes to older dogs cancer?

First, you have to identify the tumor is benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not necessarily cancerous and won’t spread to other parts of the body. All that needs to be done is removal through surgery. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancers that have to be prevented before it enters the bloodstream or spreads to other parts of the body.

It can occur at any age, so physical examination has to be done for early detection. There may be no early signs for certain cancers such as those in the liver or spleen, but for the most part you can watch for certain signs such as sores on the skin, lumps appearing on the body, swelling on a limb or bone, appetite loss, difficulty in swallowing, urinating, general weakness, change in testicle size, and bleeding.

Dealing with older dogs cancer

To diagnose a tumor, the vet must take a biopsy so cells can be examined under a microscope. If the diagnosis is cancer, your vet will be able to explain to you how advanced it is and what your treatment options are. If detected early, there may be a good chance of a successful outcome.

Treatment for cancer can involve many options, all of which have both an emotional and a financial impact. You need to consider:

• Effectiveness of treatment and likely outcomes

• Health of your dog and prognoses with and without treatment

• Age of your dog and likely quality of life during and after treatment

• Cost. A deep tumor removal may cost more than $1,500. Radiation therapy may cost $2,000 to $6,000.  (Read more here)

Once you’ve confirmed of the painful news that your dog suffers from cancer, you have a choice—and a difficult one at that—to make. Should you let go of your old buddy through euthanasia or should you fight on with available treatments?

If you choose the earlier option, you might feel terribly guilty at first. However, it’s a choice you have to make out of respect, love and selflessness. If you do choose to fight on with your dog, there are a variety of treatments that you can try, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapy. Ultimately, your choice should depend on the highest chances of success and your financial capacity.

Dental diseases, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases are some of the problems your fur buddy might suffer upon growing old. How do you deal with these senior dogs health problems? The most important thing for  you to remember is that you’re not alone. Many senior dog owners have the same problems but chose not to give up—just as you shouldn’t. Here are some tips to help you and your senior dog cope with any health problems that might come your way.

1. Visit the vet regularly. For at least once a week, you should visit the vet and have an examination to make sure that there are no hidden diseases. Prevention is better than treatment.

2. Have an evaluation of your pet’s body condition. Is your dog underweight, overweight, or just about right? Every time you show up for a visit to the vet, this is one of the primary questions you need to have an answer to.

3. Only use high-quality food. At this point you can’t afford to scrimp on your fur baby’s diet. You need to pay attention to what your dog is eating. In the same sense, only choose food that will help your dog reach the target body weight and help prevent the incidence of illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, or any other skin disease.

8 Tips for Achieving Optimum Senior Dogs Health

4. Consider fortifying your senior dog’s diet with fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. They have been shown to be useful for dogs with mobility issues due to arthritis or other joint diseases. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are also beneficial for senior dogs.

5. Consider a special diet if your older dog has heart or kidney disease. For example, diets lower in sodium are sometimes advocated for dogs with heart disease, while diets which help control phosphorus, calcium and other electrolyte levels are given to dogs with kidney disease. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your dog based on your dog’s individual situation.  (Read more here)

6. Have your dog’s mouth checked. This may sound almost silly, but you might want to start brushing your dog’s teeth. You might also want to use dental treats and other products to keep your dog’s teeth clean.

7. Exercise. This is part of your efforts to keep your dog at the ideal weight. It doesn’t have to be intense right away. You can start slowly and gradually. You should also consult a vet for a proper exercise plan.

8. Give special accommodations to your dog. This means giving them more toys and softer beddings than usual. You might even want to use a ramp or provide carpeting to help your dog live an easier life.

It will require a little adjustment, but all these will be worth it, if it means spending a little more time with your best buddy, right?

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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el0E0Pb2A54

As your dog gets older, you want to step up your visits to the vet in order to help you dog live a long and healthy life with you.  There are five main issues that you want to be aware of that can affect most older dogs.  They are as follows:

Dental disease

Cancer

Diabetes

Liver and kidney issues

Thyroid problems

Know that you are the best gauge of what may or may not be going on with your dog.  Since you are around them all the time, you need to trust your instincts when you feel that something is ‘off’ or not quite right with your pet.  If they normally eat everything within their reach, a loss of appetite might be a good reason to schedule a visit to your vet.  You also want to pay attention to and new smells coming from your furry friend as well as notice anything different with their skin or coat.

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As arthritis is most prevalent among older dogs, you might not realize that your dog is already suffering from this chronic pain condition. It is caused by a variety of reasons—from genetics to the lack of physical activity during your dog’s earlier years. Just like humans, arthritis is also caused by the wear and tear of the joints over time.

You may notice that as your dog gets older, they become less playful and active. While most dog owners easily attribute this change to their dogs’ personality changes as they grow old, these symptoms may in fact be a sign of arthritis or degenerative joint disease. One of the most common dog ailments, arthritis is found in one in five dogs.

The signs of arthritis don’t come all at once. These changes take place over time, and most pet parents don’t realize the symptoms until later on. This is why you should pay careful attention to your dog’s disposition.  When your dog doesn’t move around and play as much as used to, you should already be put on guard. You might also notice that they don’t want to go up and down the stairs, and would limp at times.

Helping your dog beat common dog ailments like Arthritis

The very first thing to do is take a trip to your vet. Let him examine your pooch to rule out any underlying medical problem such as broken bone, torn ligament, or cancer that could be causing Fido pain. By conducting several diagnostic procedures, your vet will find out the real cause and decide on the most effective management strategy. If your dog suffers from arthritis or a similar form of chronic joint pain, your vet will likely recommend pain medication. Try consulting your vet for any recommendation on specific foods that are especially made for both joint care as well as pain management.

In addition, although your dog is already slowing down, remember that he still needs exercise to keep him fit. A nice walk in the park or swimming can be both therapeutic and a bonding experience.  (Read more here)

You are in the best position to observe the changes in your dog. Once the vet has recommended the appropriate foods and exercises for your dog, you can also help ease your dog’s pain by rubbing their muscles gently or taking them to a dog massage specialist.

Does your dog seem to be in pain lately? Perhaps a visit to the vet will finally settle once and for all if your dog has arthritis. Whatever the diagnosis may be, the most important thing is for your canine friend no matter what.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTP_zNjax2I

Muscle spasms are a problem encountered by most older dogs—a problem that can be addressed by massage therapy, one of the most popular alternative senior dog treatments. You don’t have to be a certified therapist to help relieve your old buddy’s muscle spasms. In fact, this video here shows a pretty accurate and easy-to-follow procedure on how to perform canine massage.

Safety is a top concern—make sure your fur baby is in a safe and secure place, such as the floor or your dog’s own bed. Also, be reminded that a massage is not a replacement for veterinary care, and that you shouldn’t massage areas with unexplained swelling or when your dog has fever shock or cancer.

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For senior dogs with arthritis, muscle degeneration, hip dysplasia, or even if your dog is so sick or overweight that he can’t even move around on his own, you might need to give an extra hand for helping your old buddy move around. This is where a sling-style dog carrier like ComfortLift Carrier can be of help. Caring for an older dog would be much easier if you use one.

Essentially, a sling-style dog carrier is a sling padded with lamb’s wool, with harness straps attached on both sides of the torso. You can then use the support handles to carry your fur buddy around.

It is a great way for your dog to walk up and down the stairs, board a vehicle, or use the bathroom. This type of carrier is specifically helpful for senior dogs with arthritis, as it helps in relieving and easing joint stress.

Pet owners need to know how to use a sling-style pet carrier properly, lest their fur buddy feel uncomfortable or, worse, strained. Here’s a quick guide on how to use one:

Carry your dog around with a sling-style dog carrier

How to use:

1. Place the lambswool padded part of the sling under your dog.
2. Adjust the two harness straps to fit snugly around your pet’s torso and connect the snap clasps.
3. Grab the support handles, give your pet a verbal command to “stand,” and then coax him gently to a standing position. Be firm, but gentle.
4. You can then walk together, allowing your pet to set the pace. Keep the distance short. Recovering pets will be able to add time and distance with each day. Read mo

If you’re having second thoughts about using a sling-style carrier, ask your vet about it. For sure, your vet will recommend if  a sling-style carrier is appropriate for your dog’s condition.