Thanks to medical advances, dogs are living longer than ever! Even the larger breeds who have a shorter lifespan are living longer, healthier lives. It is important to give your dog a 'middle age' check up. Not sure what middle age for your dog is? Use this handy chart as a rough guideline (note: this is only a guideline! Genetics and lifestyle also play a major role in the lifespan of a dog)

Things you may notice happening to your senior dog.....

• Restricted or limited movement - Older dogs easily get arthritis, hip and joint problens and also tend to be overweight. You may notice your dog limping, avoiding stairs, walks instead of running...have your vet look into it. Most problems can be resolved...although some require surgery.

• Lumps - It is an important part of the grooming ritual to examine your dog for lumps. Cancer is the cause of about half the deaths in dogs over 10. Most lumps are harmless and is cosmetic to have removed. But detecting cancer early could save your dog's life. Treatments range from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation. If you notice ANY lumps or bumps on your dog, consult your vet immediately. As in humans....early detection is key!
• Changes in behavior - Paying attention to your older dog is important. Is your dog slow to respond to you? Does your dog bump into the sofa you just moved? Hearing problems come with age and your dog may not hear or understand your commands. Vision problems are harder to detect...dogs adapt very well and you may not notice vision problems right away. If a table has sat in a certain spot for years, your dog knows it's there and can adjust. If you notice your dog with it's nose to the ground more...walking more cautiously...it may be making up for the vision loss. The most common vision problems are cataracts and glaucoma. Your dog may also show signs that aren't obvious to the eyes. If your dog seems withdrawn and disoriented, it could be a sign of Cognitive Dysfunction. similiar to Alzheimer's in people. Sleeping more, eating less, restlesness, whining, sudden aggression....these can all be signs of discomfort. It is important that you mention anything unusual to your vet as soon as possible.
• Appetite changes - You may notice your dog has become a picky eater, or often has diarrhea and vomiting. These could be signs of digestive problems. Your dog's teeth are inportant also. Bad teeth, plaque build-up can cause many problems....anything from decreased appetite to heart problems. a thorough cleaning can be done by your vet...and should be done often.
• Coughing - Coughing alot at night could be a sign of heart trouble (like me!) or bronchitis. Consult your vet as soon as you notice this. If caught early, most dogs with heart problems can live a long full life.
• Incontinence - Many diseases can cause a housebroken dog to begin to have 'accidents'. Discuss this with your vet. The problems can range from weakened kidneys due to age...diabetes, liver problems and more.

Follow this link to find out how you can make the life of your older dog a little easier!

Background... © Pawmade by Samson