Common Health Issues and Healthcare Tips to be Given to Senior Dogs

Throughout their lives, our pets give us unconditional love and support.  Everyone loves their pets, and we don’t want to think that they are getting old and that they age faster than we do. As time passes, they will become senior pets and will need extra care to keep them healthy and live longer. Aging is natural, we must admit it.

Life Expectancy of Dogs with an average life expectancy of 10-13 years, small breeds of dogs in general seem to get older than large dog breeds.

What to expect from your senior dogs

• Their bodily function may slow down and this can lead to health issues that will require attention and support in order to address it timely and avoid it becoming worse requiring veterinary attention. Obvious symptoms such as excessive or diminished water intake and urinating, weight loss or muscle wasting, careful walking, heavy panting when little exercise is required or discoloration of mucosal membranes are good telltales to support a veterinary consult is needed.
• Their senses will not be the same. Sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell, this can show in many ways, if taste and smell are less good you might see a loss of appetite or even weight loss, hearing loss will be noticed by most owners as your pet might seem more ignorant or not responsive to sudden sounds which would normally startle them. Loss of sight is often the least known problem noticed by owners, as most pets can hide this from us through their excellent sense of smell, hearing, and touch, making it difficult for owners to accept when their vet informs them of the sight quality of their Pet. At the same time, this is therefore also not an immediate issue for your pet, most of the time the pet parent finds it more difficult to accept.
• As the immune system weakens many elderly pets are more prone to different kinds of diseases.
• Memory, behavior, and orientation will also deteriorate with age, showing itself often as more clingy behavior, problems being left alone, inability to keep up their normal urination or defecation pattern, excessive barking, howling, and desperation. All symptoms which often can be addressed and supported with the correct approach and possible supplementation or medication a still good quality of life.

Healthcare for senior dogs

Pet owners must learn that getting older is not a disease. Your senior dog may develop age-related problems. Pet owners should follow a few simple rules that will help your senior pet enjoy the best years of their life healthy and happy by your side simply by providing for their physical, mental, and healthcare needs with slightly more attention and understanding, we are here to guide you info@abvc.ae.

A regular veterinary examination, based on your home observations of your pet’s behavior and physical appearance, can detect and prevent problems not only for senior pets but even for younger pets before problems occur.

Nutrition- Specific and proper nutrition are the basic needs of senior pets.  Nutritional requirements for senior pets differ in quantity and quality as well as ingredients from their younger counterparts. The diet, therefore, is a given topic on each vet consult to ensure the correct steps are made and the right time ensuring proper nutrition with correct supplementation directly in the diet or as an addition. Don’t hesitate to ask our Team for their advice and ask if anything is not understood well.

Basic principles for feeding senior dogs, controlling calories, avoiding excess nutrients, proper hydration, and providing an ideal mix of fat, protein, phosphorus, and sodium.

Hygiene and exercise- hygiene is not just grooming and bathing or brushing the teeth of your dog, it’s always important to keep your pet clean, whereas most young dogs can keep themselves clean, elderly dogs might find it difficult to reach certain places or simply cannot find the correct movement to reach certain spots, your help will make a huge difference in their comfort. Besides this grooming, it is the perfect moment to bond even further and share the love between you and your pet. Dental health is very important to your pet’s health as they get older, unhealthy teeth and gums can cause serious health issues, give a very bad smell or even drooling, and might lead to the pet being abandoned in another room. We are happy to show and advise you on proper dental home care as well as check your dog’s oral cavity for any abnormalities and growth as well as dental decay.

Routine exercise depends on the age of your dog, it is also part of hygiene. Following an exercise regime designated to their health and fitness level as well as for their age will stimulate your dog circulatory system and bowel movement. Elderly dogs need more frequent and shorter walks, lubricating their joints, stimulating their circulation and bowel movement, supporting burning off of some calories and challenging their mental status. Let them enjoy the fresh air and sun rays. Remember frequent and short walks are more beneficial for elderly dogs!

Regular veterinary check-ups

Early detection and treatment of health problems are essential for providing your pets with the best care as they age. Regular wellness veterinary check-ups are advised at least twice a year. Your veterinary doctor is the expert in your pet’s needs in every stage of their life and will ensure your dog is feeling its best as they begin to age. He/She may need additional blood tests or medical procedures that were not necessary for their younger years. Spend extra time monitoring your dog and if you notice changes or if they are experiencing discomfort, ask your veterinarian for guidance. Early detection can keep the problem from progressing to the next stage, can keep you in charge of your dog’s care in a simple and affordable way and can postpone veterinary intervention and as such cost. All important information to consider when your dog ages.

While taking care of an elderly pet may need a bit more effort on your part. The trust, love, and happiness you will get in return will make this stage of your dog’s life absolutely worth it. If you have difficulty understanding how to support and what can be done, we are only a phone call, email, WhatsApp or other way, send us information on what you notice, in words, photo, or video format with or without sound, not all information requires a direct consult.

Read more about Support for Senior Dogs and Cognitive Disfunctions in Aged Dogs

Written by: Rafael Perez Recto, ABVC Veterinary Nurse