Category: Senior Dog Care

Senior Dog Care

Monitoring Your Senior Dog for Signs of Disease

As your dog ages, the likelihood he will develop various changes in the function of his body system increases. Some of these will be normal changes to the aging process, others may be indicative of disease. To be more easily alerted to possible signs of disease early in the disease process:

  • Monitor food consumption: how much is being eaten? what type of food is being eaten( does your dog leave the hard kibble and only eat the canned) any difficulty eating or swallowing, any vomiting?
  • Monitor water consumption: drinking more or less than usual?
  • Monitor urination and defecation: color, amount, consistency and frequency of stool: color, amount of urine: any signs of pain  while urinating and defecating
  • Measure weight every 2 months. Note any changes up or down
  • Groom and clip nails, look for any lumps, bumps, or non-healing sores, and abnormal odors, any change in the size of his/her abdomen? increased hair loss?
  • Monitor behavior; sleep behavior, sleep patterns, obeying commands, any house soiling, easily startled, anxious when left alone
  • Monitor activity and mobility, difficulty with stairs, inability to exercise without tiring quickly, bumping into things, sudden collapses? seizures? any loss of balance? any lameness or change in gait?
  • Look for any changes in respiration, panting? sneezing?

Brush your little guy’s teeth regularly..examine the inside of the mouth, any sores?bad breath, swollen gums, yellow, light pink or purplish?

Finally, all these signs indicate the need for a vet appointment. This does not mean that a disease is present. It means you want to get ahead of any problem!!

The goal is always to keep your senior dog happy and as healthy for as long as you can.

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LONG LIVE SENIOR DOGS!!!!

Cheers and Boos: Good, bad and ugly of 2016

The New Year is just around the corner. It is a good time to reflect on the good, bad and ugly.

Cheers to our ever-loyal furry senior companions. The warmth of your pet on your lap, and the sheer joy your dog shows when you walk through the door are enough to brighten and dreary winter day.

Boos to irresponsible pet owners who do not properly contain their pets. Loose dogs are at great risk of personal injury, as well as a possible menace to other dogs, people and livestock. Contain your dogs!

Cheers to folks who care for senior dogs and provide these guys who have given so much, with love and care in their golden years. These include muttville, Susie’s dogs, and others.

Boos to dog walkers who still don’t get that it’s their responsibility to pick up after their clients! For goodness sake, take a poop bag with you!!

Boos to those ‘Wrong Dog Owners combinations. How many times have we seen pets returned to a shelter due to a mismatch of personalities?

Finally, kudos to those to everyone who adopted a senior from a kill shelter. Seniors are in shelters for various reason, perceived behavior problems, death of the owner, etc. Puppies will be adopted first, because after all they are TOO CUTE!

Happy Holidays to you and your Pet!!!

 

How Seniors Dogs Behave as they age!

senior-dogWhen dogs reach senior status, expect physical and behavioral changes.  Listed are some senior issues:

  1. Changes in elimination patterns
  2. Decrease in interactions with other pets
  3. Onset of aggression in a normally nonaggressive pet
  4. Disorientation and/or poor problem-solving
  5. Changes in sleep patterns
  6. Changes in vocalization ( chico is having more conversation now that he is 13 yers old.
  7. Onset of novel phobias

Research has shown that medication, diets, and supplement as well as environment interventions can help  aging dogs  to improve their quality of life.

Some older dogs experience  canine cognitive dysfunction with some brain changes that people experience  with Alzheimer’s. Canine senior thinking is not as good as it once was. With normal aging , a lot of bodily processes slow down and don’t play as much. They tend to like the same things and thrive on a steady routine.

Don’t neglect stimulation and products that contain  Omega-3 DHA. Research has proven to show that this supplement slows the mental deterioration of our seniors.

A lot of seniors suffer from osteoarthritis or obesity. Carrying too much weight adds stress to the joints and impede movement. Vision and hearing  are also signs of aging.

Preventive care during the mature years  goes a long way toward keeping seniors happier and healthier.

 

Senior Pet Care

Due to improved veterinary care and dietary habits, pets are living longer now than they ever have before. One consequence of this is that pets  along with their owners and veterinarians, are faced with a whole new set of age-related conditions. In recent years there has been extensive research on the problems facing older pets can best handle their special needs.

What kinds of health problems can affect older pets?

  1. Cancer
  2. Heart Disease
  3. Kidney/urinary tract disease
  4. Liver Disease
  5. Diabetes
  6. Joint or Bone disease
  7. Senility
  8. Arthritis/Weakness

Sound familiar? These are most of the diseases tha plague humans.

Possible Behavior Changes in Older Pets

  1. Increased reaction to sounds
  2. Increased vocalization
  3. Confusion
  4. Disorientation
  5. Decreased interaction w/humans
  6. Increased irritability
  7. Decreased response to commands
  8. Increased aggressive/protective behaviour
  9. Increased anxiety
  10. House soiling
  11. Repetitive activity
  12. Increased wandering
  13. Changes in sleep cycles

The above reasons are usually why owners will turn their pets into shelters.  I am always amazed that this pet , who has given so many years of love, is now a burden to some parents. I am however happy that pet owners who can no longer give them the care they need , take them to shelters .

“Dont forsake me when I am old.” This is a bible verse, which I think applies to the senior dog parent.  Chico is fifteen years old. I cannot imagine my life without him!!! Long Live Senior Dogs!!!2013-03-12_2047_copy (1) copy 2

Excercising the Mind of Your Senior Dog

One of the most important  contributions you can  make to your aging dog’s quality of life is helping to keep his mind active. The canine mind, as well , as the human mind not challenged on a regular basis becomes stagnant , bored and less engaged in the world.

Include brain teasing games in your daily routine to keep his mind agile. Ask him to bring you his ball, or play hide and seek with treats you stash beneath pillows.  Put his nose  to use with a pungent treat.  Liver and fishy treats work very well.

First show him the treat, and let him have one. Next allow him to watch you hide the treat in an obvious location-maybe in your shoe, or on the bottom of a bookshelf. “Find it” , “Find it!”  Get excited when he finds it, heaping on the praise!1

Puzzle toys that dispense treats can keep your dog engaged and thinking. Clicker training at this age works rather well.

Choose a new route for your walk, which add variety , and new sights and smells to explore. Excercing his mind is one of the best gifts you can give him as he ages.older-dogs

 

Staying on the Move

One exercise that’s great for dogs is swimming.
One exercise that’s great for dogs is swimming.

If you are trying to keep your senior dog reasonably limber, the most important thing that you can do is keep him moving.

Experts urge  men as well as women , in orfer to forestall osteoporosis, to keep moving. This use it or loose it principal applies to dogs too. The typical senior tends to spend most of the day on the couch, which can accelerate her physical decline in mobility. This is because dimishef excercise accelerates bone and muscle aging. Staying sedentiray  can speed up both  muscle mass and bone density. This turns into a vicious cycle.

Every senior dog is unique and that uniqueness extends to his ability to engage in physical activity. You can do some things to adapt to the enviornment ;

  1. Ramping Up- A slanted ramp will aid in getting in and out of car-no more jumping.
  2. Stepping onto bed-Carpeted steps will aid with this
  3. Bedding- Younger dogs don’t mind sleeping on the floor-but as they age, heat and cushioning should be the order of the day.
  4. Stockings over elbows . This will be open to allow feet to be exposed but wil cover the elbows which may be painful
  5. Wood Floors can cause slipping and sliding-Put rugs in as many spaces as possible.
  6. Keep the room a little warmer of provide heating pad
  7. Try and keep the food high enough to reach with out bending over.. Do not raise the dish if your dog is prone to bloat-this is a life threatning condition if not treated
  8. Physical theraphy such as underwater treadmill, with pressure off the joints and legs
  9. Is it time for wheelchair-Discuss this with vet.
  10. KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF
  11. BRUSH TEETH DAILY , AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK

 

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

Why Does My Senior Dog Eat Grass?

Biologist have told us that canids-dogs, wild dogs, wolves , etc, All, eat grass, as a normal part of its diet. So its important to recognize that

attempting to prevent  your little guy from eating grass is not necessary, unless your lawn has been treated  with insecticides, or some kind of chemical.

if it has not been treated, let him eat away!

It is widely believed that your dog is seeking out grasses which   contains some nutritional value. We  know that grass contains an abundant source

 source of fiber or rougage, It is high in fiber. Grass is a living  green food which contains phytonutrients and is high in potassium and chlorophyll.

Grasses are also a pretty good source of digestive enzymes. Sometimes they eat grass becuase they are bored.

The most noticeable item with grass eating is the vomiting, associated with it.  It is completly normal for this to occur.

You might want to look at switching your dogs food, flavors and switching protein sources.

In addition, you might want to look at a holistic  vet, who can assit in chaging  your dogs diet.  You should make this change gradually.

The other items that you should consider adding to your dogs food are probiotics and digestive enzymes.

Another reason we must look at , is this.  Chico, and your dog as well. might just like the taste! can you imagine?

Often, I have had to pick blades of grass from Chico’s nose to stop the incessant sneezing. During the summer, he goes right to it. During the winter, he goes through the snow to get to it. I make no attempt to stop him from thsi behaviour.  Once  every two weeks or so, he throws up and away we go!!

As I always note , We are having sixth month wellness exams for our sentiors, so we are ahead of any problems!!!

LONG LIVE SENIOR DOGS!!!

 

 

If this is occuring more frequently, you might want to look into  a wholisitc vet who  cn help in swiching to  a more balanced diet for your  little guy.

I can’t tell you the number of times, I have had to pry blades of grass out of Chico;s throat ajd nose. i am quite the expert  with this now. i can’t stand to see him uncomfortable, so i will do what is necessary to get hin there, just as i know most pet owners will do.

Excercise and Older Pets

All of a sudden one day you notice the shining white (grey)creeping into your dogs muzzle . He sleeps  a little more carefully now but most time seems to be just as energetic. What is wrong-nothing. He is just aging. Happens to us all.

If you have not already, now is the time to begin a regular program of excercise.

Inside your aging pet:metabolism is slowing, organ function is slowing, and the response to disease has diminished.  In addition, your senior will probably urinate more often.

Excercise stimulates tissue as it increases blood flow. Tissues become  oxginated  abd toxins are removved from them more readily. In additon, excercise helps bowel function. This is especiallyt true in older pers.

Without  adequate use, muscles weaken and atrophy. This becomes a vicious cycle.  As excercise decreases the , the muscles weaken  and the less they can do. 

Making sure your senior gets enough excercise may seem like a difficult task, but try one or more of the following tips:

  • If you choose outside excercise, make surfe that the weatheris suitable for the type of excercise you are doing. Dogs can suffer heatstroke and frostbite. You must be especially careful with seniors.
  • Walking is excellent. Start with 10-15 minutes a day and slowly increase to 1-2 hours a week
  • Spend more interactive playtime with your older pet. More walks, more games of feteh, tug of war., hide and seek
  • Good nutrition is more important than ever in aging pets. This is especially true with excercise.
  • Give your pet vitamin and mineral supplement-A  good one is important for seniors

What Causes Pet Cancer?

Enviormental and Food Toxins

Do a screening of your household. Exposure to chemicals in the enviorment  and even small doses of chemical additives and preservatives can build up and be carcinogenic.  Look around your house and get rid of any toxins. You can read labels and it will tell you , if harmful to children or pets.

Genetics

Due to improper breeding practices  certain breeds of dogs are genetically prone to canine cancer. These breeds are:

Golden Retrievers

Laborador Retrievers

Rottweilers

Bermese Mountain Dogs

Boxers

When choosing a pet, question the breeder as to the incidence of cancer in the line. Also, ALWAYS AVOID puppy mills!!!!

Over Vaccinations

This can weaken, not strengthen your pets immune system.  As our pet ages, so do the vaccines required.  Have this discussion with your vet to have a plan to vaccinate. This should not occur automatically every year.  Only vaccinate for the diseases that are prevalent in your area.

With our seniors, we are ahead of any issues, right??

We want to keep these guys around as long as we can, with a good quality of life.

 

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR DOG!!!

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