Author: Dorothy

Excercise and Older Dogs/Help your senior stay active

if your little guy is over seven years old,now is the perfect time to get him in a regular program of exercise.

Inside  your aging pet, just as with us humans, metabolism is slowing, organ function (brain function) is slowing, and the response to disease via the immune system is not what it used to be. In addition, seniors will urinate more often, and will need more frequent walks.  It is easy to watch our little ones sleeping. They look so peaceful and comfortable. They seem content to us. But the bottom line is this, a little exercise can improve quality of life and perhaps slow the progression of aging, including the advancement of arthritis.

Exercise stimulates all tissues as it increases blood flow. Tissues become oxygenated and toxins are removed from them easier.  Exercise  helps bowel function. This is especially important in older dogs. Without adequate use , muscles weaken  and atrophy.

1) Walking is excellent. Start with  10-15 minutes a day and then increase  to 1-2 hours, three times a week

2) Spend more interactive playtime with your older guy. more tug of war, more games of fetch. You both will benefit from this play.

3) Normally when your guy is sore-he will not want to move. Try glucosamine supplements

4) Watch the weight!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. If you have  to switch to light, or weight management, consider those. i supplement these with chicken or liver. Good nutrition is especially important at this stage of life.

5) If you haven’t already, get  your senior on a good vitamin and mineral supplement.

6) Finally a younger more active companion makes him want to get up and move.  Bella is Chico’s companion, She is now two years old and quite the energized pointer-non-stop. She loves to chase him and he is motivated to run.  I supervise  this play to ensure that my little guy does not overdo.

Separation Anxiety in Older Dogs

Older dogs , in many cases misbehave, not because they don’t know the rules, but , for many reasons, are unable to follow them.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behaviour problems seen in older dogs. Your little guy will become anxious when he senses you are about to leave.  Often this same little guy will become destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate.  When you do return he is exhuberant. Chico has decided to lay in front of the door when he senses that I am leaving.  Then I have to go into the treat and retreat mode.

Here are some tips to assist you in leaving without the guilt associated  with leaving.

1) Do not make a big deal about leaving or coming home

2) Teach your dog to relax

3) Change your departure cues ( I put my purse outside the door before leaving), such as the alarm going off-going to closet to get your shoes or coat

4) Associate your departure with something good. Give your dog a Kong filled with treats, or some other treat that will make him work-and not notice as you head for the door

5)  Break up your dogs day-if you will be gone all day-consider day care-perhaps not five days, but two or three days a week. Or you might consider a mid day dog walker

6) Crate your dogs-Dogs feel safe and covered

7) Lastly, as a last ditch effort-if all else has failed-you might look into drugs, such as Clomicalm. Just know that medication is not enough to alleviate the problem.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

 

Senior Care Kennels

I hate to spend even one night away from Chico and Bella because they are such a big part of my daily life. But sometimes for any number of reasons , you simply must put your senior dog in a kennel for one night or more. Before making a choice and dropping him off, there are a few things you should consider.

Has your senior stayed in a kennel before?  If this is his first time, he may find it harder to adjust in a kennel than a typical older dog. Seniors tend to be set in their ways and are accustomed to their daily routine, which includes being with you at home. If he has been in this kennel before, it will be much easier. Try daycare a couple of days before. He will see that you do return.

Does the kennel have special facilites and routines for seniors? Before selecting a kennel, take a tour. make sure the facility’s layout and design is senior-dog friendly.

  • No overly high barriers that he must step across
  • No long staircase that he’ll be expected to climb
  • Plenty of soft , cushy areas where he can rest
  • A senior only area where he can get away from rambunctious pups and aggressive adults

Is the kennel staff friendly? Many kennel workers are dog lovers by nature, however, as you know, caring for a senior can require more patience and knowledge.

You need to ask these questions while touring:

  • Does the kennel regularly care for seniors
  • Is the staff experienced with the needs and temperament of seniors
  • Has the staff received additional training to help them deal with the needs of seniors

How can you find senior care in your area? Start by asking friends and neighbors who have senior dogs? If they have had bad experiences they can share with you. Obviously that goes for good experiences as well. You can ask your vet  for suggestions.

You want to ensure that this is a good experience and if needed again, it will be easier to navigate.

long live senior dogs!11

Tips For Naming Your Puppy

Unless you are especially attached to a certain dog name, avoid choosing one of the most popular names. You will run into other dogs with your dog’s name and it could lead to some confusion at the dog park or vet’s office. The names Bella, Bailey, Max, Molly, Buddy and Lucy are just a few of the most popular names as of 2010. This is sure to change over time, so do some research before you settle on a name.

Some people like to get multiple dogs together and name them after famous duos or trios like “Abbott and Costello” or “Moe, Larry and Curly.” Others use phrases like “Sugar and Spice” or “Peanut Butter and Jelly.” While these can be cute and funny, you also need to consider how you like each name separately. The two dogs might not always be together.

If you wish to give your dog a name that also belongs to a human family member or friend, you should ask that person how they feel about it first. Uncle Herbert might be amused that you wish to name your Basset Hound after him, but Cousin Annabelle might be offended if you choose her name for your Maltese.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Your guy is clearly, not a cow. You might be worried that he is sick,hungry or bored. Will eating grass hurt him? Rest assured you are not

alone in your concern. Dogs eating grass is quite common, and most vets consider  it normal.  There are a variety of reasons  might be crazing on your lawn.

Evidence suggests that the notion that your little guy is unwell could cause this behavior. This has proven to be false.

It has been suggested that this grass eating could assist with digestion, and the need for fiber.

Or it good be that our dog just simply likes the taste.

Although most experts agree that grazing itself isn’t harmful, one thing to keep in mind is certain  herbicides  and pesticide use on lawn

can be dangerous.

Should I stop my Dog From eating Grass

Experts agree that crazing in itself, is nit harmful. If your dog is bored, find things for him to do.

Swimming For Dogs

Swimming therapy for dogs is fast becoming a prescribed protocol for canine rehabilitation and strength building. Being in a pool provides an arena for non weight bearing exercise -where resistance in water is up to 20 X that of being in air.

Being in a pool benefits the body in these ways:

  • Loosening tight muscles
  • Increasing circulation, endurance, flexibility, range of motion, balance, coordination and muscle strength
  • Decrease swelling
  • Relaxation
  • Confidence Building

These are some questions to ask about the therapist

  • What training has therapist had
  • Are they licensed or certified
  • How many hours do they spend in the pool? Be sure the person who handles your dog has experience
  • Are they trained in first aid, specifically first aid in the water

Some questions  to ask about the pool

  • What is the pool temperature(Pool temperature should be between 80 and 94 degrees)
  • How often is the pool cleaned
  • Is the business insured

Questions to ask yourself

  • Do I feel comfortable letting my dog work with this therapist
  • Do I feel comfortable asking questions-were they answered to my satisfaction

Finally , don’t be shy about asking that your dog be removed from the pool if you feel he or you is uncomfortable.

 

 

Eye Care for Senior Dogs

To properly care for your dogs eyes, do the following:

  • Keep eyes clear of muscus at all times. Infections are often caused by bacteria that overgrow on mucus. Use a sterile eyewash and/or eye wipes to keep eye area clean.
  • Apply a protective ophtalmic ointment under the top lid to protect the eyes before bathing, facial cleanings, and insecticide treatment. Even tearless shampoos can irritate if too much gets in the eyesor if it is not rinsed out soon enough.
  • Keep all hair out of the little guys eyes since scratches to the cornea (the clear membrane across the surface of the eye) can result from contact hair.  Trim the hair using blunt nosed scissors, cutting parellel to the edge of the eyelid. This is especially important when the skin folds near the eyes in certain breeds.
  • Tear staining is a common problem with certain breeds of dogs.Normally tears flow across the surface of the eye and drain through tear ducts, You should clean hair in affected areas at least weekly with a tear stain  remover product.

If  your old guys eye appear a bit hazy or opaque it may be normal. This  can be a normal change due to aging. Your vet will be able to distinguish if this is age-related clouding which is called nuclear sclerosis or it may be cateracts.

During your weekly maintenance check, position yourself in good light and look closely at your dogs eyes. Healthly eyes should be clear and moist.

Your dog does not have a safe way to keep his eyes clean.  They rely on us as “good parents” to make sure all is well.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

Mental Illness in Senior Dogs

Most canines show some mental slow down between the ages of  three  and five. The exact cause is being studied , but so far unidentified. Most vets believe that mental illness in dogs appear to be genetic. Again , nothing proven so far!

I want to make sure that we are aware of this issue. This is when parents take senior dogs  to shelters.  What!!! I know, difficult to believe, but true.

If you know what to expect and how to treat  this illness, I believe that this will prevent this drastic action from occuring as often as it does.

This is a list of some of the behaviour that occurs:

Complusive Behaviour

A pet suffering from compulsive behaviour might exhibit by unnecessary biting , chewing or licking itself-especially its flanks, constantly cha chsing

his tail.

Hyperactivity

Dogs can suffer from Hyperkinetic. This will cause an elevatd  heaert rate and rapid breathing.

Decreased Activity/Appetite

A Dog exhibiting significant  decerease in its activity may be depressed Medication and behaviour therapy may aid in relieving  a depressed dogs symptoms.

As always, wellness checks are vitally important with your vet to stay ahead of any problems with our seniors.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

Tips For Caring For Senior Dog

Schedule regular visits with your veternarian. Your dog needs to be examined twice yearly, even if he appears healthy. Many diseases are hidden and not apparent.

Remember , it is much cheaper to prevent disease than it is to treat it.

Ask for body evaluation during each vet visit. Body condition is crucial to determine whether your senior is over or underweight.  Ask your vet howyou can evaluate at home, in between visits. This can be helpful in determining what kind of  food should be given.

Feed your dog a high quality diet.  Also, learn to read the dog food label and choose a diet that is appropiate for your dog’s  age and lifestyle.

Use food to keep your dog at his ideal weight. Overweight dogs have a higher incidence of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, skin disease, even cancer.

A diet with a carefully chosen carbphdrate blend can also help keep your overweight dog feel satiated.

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

Take care of your dog’s mouth. Brushing your dog’s teeth may seem like a silly idea but it can help keep your dogs mouth healthy. If you cannot brush, consider dental treats and toys that keep the teeth clean.

Excercise cankeep your olderdog lean and maintain healthy joints and muscles. Tailor your dogs excercise to his needs. Stop when he tells you.

Provide your dog with toys to keep your senior’s mind engaged. Food puzzles, for example, are notonly useful for entertainment but for weight loss purposes as well.

Changing Behaviour in Seniors-What to expect?

As  they age, our dogs suffer a decline in brain function.  This happens with memory, their ability to learn, senses of sight,and hearing. Their awareness will deteriorate as well.  They often will stare into nothingness. Seniors  will  forget house training and soil, even after returning from outside. They will often vocalize more and appear to be needy or clingy. The opposite is also true, often they don’t want to be bothered with anyone, human or other dogs.

As they age, they will sleep more and often gain weight.  Many signs of  aging , are treatable as medical disorders. Don’t asssume, it is just them “getting older.” Check with your vet for treatment options. We as pet parents can manage pain, and keep your guy as comfortable as possible, as he ages.

These are some of the signs you will encounter. Our goal is to be prepared as much as possible:

1) Gets lost in familiar locations

2) Goes to the wrong side of door (where the hinge is)

3) Gets stuck and can’t navigate around or over obstacles

4) Less inetrested in petting, interactions, greeting people, or other dogs

5) Stares, fixates on or snaps at objects

6) Paces or wanderes around aimlessly

7) Vocalizes more

8) Eats more  or eats quickly

9) Sleeps more during the day

10) Eats less

11) Seems restless or agitated

12) Develops incontinence

13) Demonstrates an impaired  ability to perform tasks

Again, if any of these present, the first thing you should do is see your vet, to determine if there is medical reason for any of the above mentioned symtoms.

At first glance these things may seem over whelming. I assure you , they are not. Considering that this little guy has given you unconditional love and affection , g, taking him to vet to determine correct course of action is a small prove to pay.

In the end, we want to give “him” the best quality of life possible and have him with us as long as we can.