Category: Issues and Treatments

9. If you notice some of these signs with your pet

Keep a log of what behaviors you have noticed, the timeframe or how often you notice these behaviors, and make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss. As noted above, the first step for any behavior problem is to rule out any medical causes first.  (Full article here)

Arrive at your vet’s office with clear examples of how your dog used to behave and what is happening now. They will want you to be as specific as possible so that they can properly asses what is happening and determine if something else could be going on or if your dog has dementia.

There are things that can be done to help and knowing exactly what you are dealing with is always best. It can be frustrating to see your pooch display confusion or forget his/her obedience training.  Take a breath. Be patient…and see the vet as soon as possible.

As your dog ages, there will certainly be some differences in their behavior.  Some things will be perfectly normal and to be expected and some are not normal but can certainly come up.  It is highly likely that you will need to take your canine family member to the vet to be sure what you are dealing with and to take care of it as soon as possible.  With aging dogs, it is better to take them to the vet and have it turn out to be nothing, than to wait and allow the problem to become worse.

Regular checkups and preventative visits are always recommended, anyway, but if you notice some of these things, you really should get your dog into the vet right away:  hair loss, itchy skin, changes in their urinating and/or drinking habits, changes in weight and/or eating habits, bleeding gums, excessive bad breath and of course any changes in their ability to hear or see or walk etc.

In general, though, you may just be concerned about helping to keep your pet as comfortable and happy as possible.  Here are some suggestions from About.com that will help you get a jump on keeping your friend happy and healthy.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfortable

• Provide a comfortable clean bed – there are many “orthopedic” beds (….) available now at pet supply stores to ensure comfortable rest.

• Provide fresh water daily (note changes in water consumption) and a healthy, age-appropriate diet.

• Don’t expect too much from your senior dog – s/he may want to run and play Frisbee like the good ‘ol times, but go slow — heat, arthritis, age-related muscle atrophy, and other age-related effects can take their toll.

• Ease distractions – senior pets can be easily startled by or become fearful of: kids, loud noises, and general commotion as they age. Conditions such as arthritis can make the dog fearful of getting hurt (or the potential to get hurt) with sudden movements of kids or being stepped on.  (Full article here)

Your senior dog may sleep a little more and require a little more TLC, but that is okay.  Just take it easy and be patient with your pooch and yourself!  Keep your eyes and ears open and you will be ready to react just in case anything might come up.  There is a good chance nothing bad will happen and your dog will simply get a little slower and have a bit less pep than they used to, but know that your love will help carry them through, no matter what.

 

 

Just like humans and other animals, dogs can get infected by diseases, too. There are many kinds, which your dog may contract in any given day throughout his adult life. Some are easily treated, while some are more dangerous than the others.

As a dog owner, it’s best to identify what these diseases are in order to prevent your pet from getting them. Remember that prevention is always better than cure. That’s why it’s important to keep your dog happy and healthy as much as you can.

That said, here are the five most common dog ailments that you need to look out for.

The Five Most Common Dog Ailments

Distemper – Unfortunately this is the most common disease vets see with dogs today. It is usually seen in puppies under 6 months old, but can also be found in unvaccinated adults too.

Rabies – One of the most well-known viruses in the world, rabies is also nearly always fatal once symptoms have appeared. Usually the virus goes through several stages that can last for weeks in dogs before death occurs.

Parvovirus (Parvo) – A serious canine disease that is common worldwide, parvo is highly contagious, especially in puppies, and kills typically within 48 hours of exposure. It is a fast moving, and deadly virus that should be taken very seriously.

Kennel Cough – Perhaps the least threatening on this list, kennel cough is a common problem with dog owners, and one that should be treated early on to avoid more serious problems. Kennel cough is a bacterial infection usually spread when dogs are in close contact in places like kennels, which is where it gets its name.

Lyme Disease – Usually spread by the common deer tick, symptoms of this disease are not present until about 2 months after the infectious bite. You can protect your pet with vaccinations as well as tick treatments, but if your dog has been diagnosed, the animal will be treated with antibiotics. (Click here to read more)

This list of the five most common dog ailments is a mere guide for dog owners like you. If you notice anything wrong with your dog, be sure to consult with your pet’s veterinarian to treat the problem immediately. Keep in mind that the sooner your dog gets medical assistance, the faster it can recover from any ailment.

Arthritis is a condition that most elderly people suffer from, making performing even the simplest of everyday activities quite difficult for them. The excruciating pain is such that to walk a couple of inches or simply sit back can be quite a burden. More so, arthritis does not only affect people. Dogs have been found to suffer from the same condition and are nonetheless plagued by the affliction as humans are. Arthritis in dogs is so common that you might find your house pet suffering from it.

Arthritis in dogs can be caused by one or more of several different things. The problem may be traced back to factors from old age to even obesity in pet dogs. Whatever reasons there may be behind the condition, it is your responsibility as a pet owner to learn how to treat arthritis in dogs so you won’t have to watch your beloved dog suffer from the pain. After all, taking care and loving your dog is your greatest responsibility as an owner, isn’t it? Here are some things that you should know about arthritis treatment in dogs.

How to Treat Arthritis in Dogs

Exercise and Weight Management in the Treatment of Canine Arthritis

Exercise is important for arthritic dogs but should be low impact to avoid further stress on damaged joints. There are several forms of exercise that are appropriate for dogs with arthritis.

• Leash walking and mild controlled jogging are acceptable forms of exercise for dogs with arthritis.
• Swimming is another excellent exercise for dogs with arthritis and is a commonly used form of physical rehabilitation.
• Underwater treadmills can also be an effective form of physical therapy and can help meet the exercise requirements of an arthritic dog. (Click here to learn more on treatment for arthritis in dogs)

Arthritis can be quite a problem for you and your dog but you really don’t have to let the suffering continue. There are several treatments that could help alleviate the pain your dog suffers from arthritis. Some may include medication while others need only you to take your dog to exercise therapy so as to eliminate the causes of the condition.

All you need is some tender love and care and you’re well on your way to help your pet dog to recover. Now that you know how to treat arthritis in dogs, you can keep your dog healthy and free from arthritis and all its painful consequences.

Some medical conditions are not only restricted to humans and even your pet dog can suffer from them. These ailments often affect them the same way they can affect you, which means nothing but trouble for you and your beloved pet. Having an older dog as a pet comes with the greater chances of your pet suffering from various condition that can hamper their health if left unattended to. For an instance, your dog might develop seizures during his older years.

A seizure or a fit is often characterized by extreme involuntary moment which can include wild thrashing. Not only can this put your pet in danger, but it can also put you in a situation that’s simply more than a handful for you. For you to prevent your dog from going into seizure, you’ve got to take several things into consideration and learn more about the causes of seizures in older dogs in order to keep your dog away from these dangerous fits.

Causes of Seizure in Older Dogs

Seizures in older dogs are often symptoms or a result of other conditions:

Brain tumor.

Some older dogs develop brain tumors which can put pressure on the brain as it grows, resulting in a seizure. Other symptoms to be on the lookout for include a loss of vision and motor coordination. If your vet suspects your dog has a brain tumor, he will most likely recommend diagnostic tests like an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CAT (computed axial topography). Anti-convulsant medications will not control seizures caused by a tumor.

Kidney disease.

Dogs that have a buildup of toxins in the blood or high levels of acidity due to kidney disease can also experience seizures.( Click here to find out more about causes of seizure in older dogs)

Learning more about the causes of seizures in older dogs will help you gain a better understanding with regards to the treatment and medication that your dog might need. All you have to do is bring your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic and seek out professional opinion on your dog’s condition.

Be sure to know all of the things you’ve got to do to eliminate or even just reduce the occurrence of fits and what you have to do when they take place. You’d want to trace back the problem to its root in order to keep your pet dog away from those dangerous and painful seizures, wouldn’t you?

You may notice a few changes on your dog as he ages, his basic needs, state of health and physical activity among others. But sometimes, dogs tend to hide their health problems and unlike humans, they can’t voice it out.

As a dog owner, it is your duty and responsibility to keep track of your dog as he gets older and keep an eye on him to provide proper care and treatment that his current condition requires.

That said, below are some tips on caring for your senior dog. You may use a tip or two from it.

7 Tips on Caring For Your Senior Dog

1. We all need to watch our weight

Obesity is one of the major health issues facing senior dogs today, according to Dr. Lauten, and research shows that dogs that maintain a normal weight can live up to two years longer than dogs that are obese…

2. Routine check ups

As the guardian of an older dog, plan for twice-a-year veterinary visits…

3. Blood screening

A complete diagnostic blood screening is one of the easiest things you can do for your old dog’s health and provides a veritable treasure trove of diagnostic information for your vet…

4. More than just a pretty smile

Dental care is vitally important throughout your dog’s life and especially as she ages…

5. Potty stuff

Another consideration with older dogs is the need for more frequent bathroom breaks…

6. Exercise mind and body

Increased time spent sleeping is common with senior dogs…

7. Keep it short

As part of the grooming process, be sure to include a nail trim in your dog’s regular grooming routine… (Click here to read more)

Your dog may be ageing but don’t forget that he was the same little puppy you brought home a few years ago, wagging his tail and expecting you to play catch with him. He may be too old to play that game and may rather catch up on sleeping, but it doesn’t mean that you can pay less attention to him now.

It’s what exactly he needs at the moment. So be sure to make the effort to keep your pet happy and engaged, showering him with extra care and love, letting him enjoy the world around him, and making the most out of his remaining days by following these tips on caring for your senior dog.

After all, isn’t it what dog owners strive for? Keeping the sweet little fellow happy and healthy throughout his lifetime.

Most pet owners struggle when it comes to house training their dogs, since dogs usually do their business wherever they please. The nuisance of having to clean after them inside the house can be enough for you to call it quits. This is true for dogs of all ages and you can never do away with this problem immediately. Older dogs are no exception to this issue and can be a handful for some pet owners, but don’t go for a second thinking of giving up on your older pet dog.

House training an older dog for newbie pet owners can be quite difficult but it is not impossible. All you’ve got to do is spend some time looking for solutions to the problem and work on making your dog a better house-trained one. Here are some useful tips that can help you house train your older dog for a more harmonious relationships for the dog, you, and your family.

House Training an Older Dog for Newbie Pet Owners

1. Remove all of the odors of the dog’s accidents in the house. This can be done many ways–several products on the market work well.

2. Get a leash, and put it by the door the dog will go out of to go potty.

3. Put the leash on the dog and walk him into the area you want it to go potty. Ignore the dog, let him sniff around. Wait a few minutes and if he doesn’t go, go straight back inside. Wait a few minutes and repeat the process. Watch him closely while inside; a house lead might be a good idea. (Click here to read more)

You really can’t blame your dog for ruining your expensive Persian rug or leaving behind a trail of what-not in your kitchen. These things and many more are in their nature and cannot be abandoned unless you help your pet deal with the issue. If younger dogs are a problem, then so are older dogs. House training can be affected by many factors but the same rules often apply to dogs of most breeds, regardless of age.

For you to be successful in house training an older dog, you have to be quite resourceful and look for tips that can help you achieve your house training endeavors. Patience and understanding for your pet should not be amiss, and some tender affection will surely ease house training an older dog for newbie pet owners.

A seizure is generally associated with a human condition since a person commonly suffers from it. But did you know that dogs share this disorder too? Yes, that’s right. In fact, a canine seizure is quite a common occurrence just like that of a human’s. This happens due to various factors.

Now, when you find your older dog suffering from seizure, it may already be a symptom of a serious illness or a result of other conditions. Witnessing your pet experience this can be really scary, especially if you don’t know what to do while it happens. That said, here is a simple guide of what to do in case of seizures in older dogs.

What to Do in Case of Seizures in Older Dogs

Witnessing your dog experience a seizure can be a frightening thing. The important thing to do is simply remain calm. Do not try to grab the tongue; it is an old wives’ tale that you can swallow your tongue during a seizure. Most likely you will get bitten or injure your dog if you attempt this. Clear the area around your dog and make sure there are no loud noises or flashing lights around. Keep children and other dogs away from the area where your dog is seizing. Calmly talk to your dog and pet him gently staying away from the head. It is debatable whether this does anything but some dogs seem to be comforted by their owner’s reassuring presence after the seizure. If possible time the seizure to see how long it lasts. If it lasts more than four minutes, if this is your dog’s first seizure, or if the seizures recur then seek immediate veterinary care. (Click here to read more info on canine seizures)

While the onset of seizure cannot be controlled, most dogs know when something is wrong with their bodies and can sense if something is about to happen. Your pet will either run to you for comfort or hide somewhere else, suddenly becoming nervous or agitated. When your dog seeks comfort from you, be sure to pay close attention to him as you’ll never know the exact moment the seizure will happen. It may be a few minutes or a few hours before it takes place.

That is why it’s important to know what to do in case of seizures in older dogs, especially if your beloved old pet is suffering from seizure for the first time.

House training your dog so you won’t have to clean after accidents is one of the most important responsibilities of any dog owner. The process might be a little difficult but is really rewarding. You won’t have to deal with these accidents inside the house and you’ll have more time for yourself and your dog. However, housetraining an older dog becomes a greater challenge because some bad habits have been around for quite some time and eliminating them would mean devoting a lot of time and effort and without any assurance that there would be any difference.

Despite of its difficulty, house training an older dog isn’t something you can’t do. All you need is the patience and determination and you’re good to go. There are, however, some mistakes you should avoid in house training an older dog if you wish to succeed in your endeavors. It is truly crucial and pivotal that you stay away from these mistakes because a single one might mean the failure of your house training efforts. Here are two of these common housebreaking mistakes.

Mistakes You Should Avoid in House Training an Older Dog

The first conclusion one comes to when having trouble with a dog eliminating outside instead of in the house is we didn’t get the dog outside in time.  This can in fact be the problem but many times there is a very common mistake made that most people aren’t even aware of.

Your dog’s nose is a big part of the decision making process in most things done in a day.  This includes where the dog bathroom is located.

If your dog has made a mistake in the house and it hasn’t been removed properly, your dog still smells it.  Even if you can’t see it or smell it, your dog does… the smell part anyway.  Seeing is not one of a dog’s best attributes. (Click here to learn more about these mistakes and of the ways you can avoid them)

House training an older dog is no easy undertaking but it offers you the benefit of not having to deal with accidents inside the house. There are several different strategies you can employ in house training an older dog but be sure to know about the mistakes you should avoid in house training an older dog in order for your house training efforts be a success and experience all the rewards of owning a properly house trained older dog for a pet.