Category: Senior Dog News

Senior Dog News

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 size of abdomen? increased hair loss?
  • Monitor behaviour ; sleep behaviour, sleep patterns, obeying commands, any house soiling, easily startled , anxious when left alone
  • Monitor activity and mobility , difficulty with stairs, inabilty to excercise without tiring quickly, bumping into things, sudden collapses? siezures? any loss of balance? any lameness or change in gait?
  • Look for any changes in respiration,panting ? sneezing?

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

Finally all these signs indicate the need for 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 senipr dog  happy and as healthy for as long as you can.

LONG LIVE SENIOR DOGS!!!!reading-glasses-funny-dog-25871384

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.

 

What are the current dog food trends for dogs-senior dog

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR CORN-FREE AND GRAIN FREE.

Grains contribute to a healthy and balanced diet that is beneficial to their overhall health. Understnding the broad dietary needs of your dog will help you make an informed decision  about what dog food you select.

Corn contributes to a balanced diet. A balanced diet will keep your og healthy and improve his life. Corn proides protein, enery, and linoleic acid, which is essential fatty acid for dogs. Ounce for ounce, corn has twice the level of aantidoxidants as an apple.

Raw Diet is Bad. I know many breeders who suggest that raw is better. A raw food diet is unhealthy for dogs, especially senior dogs. This diet may expose them to the threat of foodborne pathogens. Most importantly raw diets may not provide dogs with the complete and balance nutrition they need.

Omega 6 fatty acids are foubd in plant sources whereas Omega 3-fatty acids are typically found in marine sources. These fatty acids are important components of a dog’s diet and have avariety of biological functions , including promoting healthy skin,coat and immune system, and  helps to regulate inflammation.

The best coaching advice  can give would be to spend a little time reading the labels before purchasing food. Find out what the best food is for your best little guy.

LONG LIVE THE SENIOR Dog

How to Add Year’s to Your Pet’s Life

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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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing Muttville, a charity for senior dogs

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItmrT8CzflI

The video reveals a sad reality: that hundreds of dogs have to be euthanized because of their old age. You might not consider senior dogs as a viable option when adopting dogs, but did you know that they’re fairly easier to train and well-behaved than younger, more energetic dogs?

Muttville is a senior dog rescue charity that’s dedicated to saving these old and reliable canines from getting euthanized. There are many ways for you to help: you can donate, foster, or adopt. It has helped several families find a senior dog they absolutely love and adore. And with Muttville’s help, who knows? You just might find the old buddy you’ve always wanted.

True Love For An Older Dog | Video

What do you do when your beloved bur baby can no longer walk comfortably?  You still want to take your walks like you used to; see your friends and run your errands, but you don’t want to leave him behind.  When that happens, you think outside the box and do whatever you can to keep your old friend with you as much as possible.  That is the kind of love that this video speaks to.

This man loves his dog and wants to keep him near him as he goes about town.  Wrapped lovingly in a blanket, this sweet dog calmly accepts attention and some wonderful petting from passersby.  He knows his owner will pull him along in his bin when it’s time to go!

What do you do when your beloved fur baby can no longer walk comfortably?  You do what every you have to do.  And you do it happily and with all the love in your heart!