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.