Older Dogs And Diseases
What are the most common geriatric issues for dogs?
As our dogs get older just like us, we run into the some of the same types of problems like osteoarthritis. Getting out of bed in the morning is a little bit harder than it used to be. Dental disease is a common geriatric issue in dogs; they know that about eighty percent of all dogs and cats over four years of age have some form of dental disease. It can actually be a problem for the entire body, not just having stinky breath. Bad eyes can cause problems for dogs, hearing seems to decrease, and they can also have a condition very similar to Alzheimer's in people which is called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. When you have a problem with your dog, see your veterinarian. For these older dogs, it's a great idea to get them in at least twice at year for a wellness check up.
What medications will improve the quality of life for my older dog?
Quality of life is one of the most important things for your senior dog. As your dog gets older, it may have some osteoarthritis and it may have some Alzheimer's like conditions. See a veterinarian as soon as possible as there are safe, effective medications that you can use to improve your dog's quality of life. You never want to use your own medications on your dog because they can have dire side effects for your dog.
How can I keep my dog comfortable at home when he gets old?
When we get older ourselves, sometimes trying to go up those stairs and making it up a flight of stairs can be very difficult. So, you can change things around the house; maybe have a ramp so your dog can get up and down stairs instead of having to climb each one. Have some warm bedding for it, because something soft on those older bones can be very helpful. You may have to raise the dog food bowls so that they're easier for them to get to, so that they don't have to try and stand on their head. If you have slick flooring, you might even want to put something down so the dog has a runner and it's not going to be losing its little paws as it's walking along.
