05 Jul Diseases of Old Dogs

Dogs are our family members. We love senior dogs as much as puppies. Knowing at what age to consider your dog geriatric can be confusing. Especially when the ageing range is different for their different breeds and sizes. Here are some of their important diseases and the signs of health issues. So you can adjust the necessary care according to his needs. To get valuable tips in this field, stay tuned to this article.

The age range for calculating old dog

Usually, 5 to 10-year-old dogs are considered elderly. The term “geriatric” can describe an older pet, but the time frame when a pet is called “geriatric” varies. Identifiers such as weight, breed, and the health status of their body parts can also help determine how “senior” your dog is. Dr Heidi Lobprise, a veterinarian, says: “Many of the old guidelines consider seven years of a dog’s life to be equal to one year of a human’s life. But in fact, the rate of ageing of this furry friend depends on his size. However, in most cases, these creatures can be considered adults when they are between 5 and 10 years old. Dr Lobprise adds: the terms “elderly” and “senior” are also different. Although a dog may be considered “senior,” it is likely that he is still healthy or just experiencing signs of ageing. But “elderly” dogs are at the end of the ageing spectrum and often experience health problems.

Signs of Ageing for older dogs

Limitation in mobility is one of the most obvious signs of dog ageing. There is a wide range of factors to help you recognize the signs of ageing in your dog — many of which are similar to the signs of ageing in people. Some of these factors, such as activity intolerance or limited mobility, maybe more obvious, while others are much more subtle. Your dog’s behaviour can also show signs of ageing. Although cats usually don’t show that they are in trouble until their problems are advanced, many dogs do express their discomfort.

Common diseases of old dogs

Among the very common and preventable diseases that can be seen in elderly dogs are oral and dental diseases. Although it’s not always serious to have an oral disease, it should be taken care of and if treated promptly and effectively, it can change your dog’s behaviour.

Oral and dental diseases

You can detect bacterial infections such as inflammation, red gums, tartar and periodontal disease by smelling your dog’s breath and regularly checking their teeth and gums. Untreated dental problems can affect the heart, kidneys, and the rest of the dog’s body. If dental disease makes your dog uncomfortable, it may make him reluctant to eat. This issue can lead to all kinds of other problems. That’s why the veterinarian recommends periodic dental cleaning visits. 

Thyroid disease

Hypothyroidism makes older dogs feel lethargic and fat. Unfortunately, many health problems are more common in older dogs than in younger ones.

Cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment in dogs is also a common issue. When keeping an old dog at home, you should pay attention to whether they are aware of their surroundings. Do they know their family members? As part of the ageing process, there is a slight and natural decline in cognitive function. But the progress of this disorder can disrupt the dog’s quality of life.

Slow movements

You may have noticed that as your dog gets older, his movements slow down. This problem doesn’t always happen, however, pay attention to how he wakes up, lies down, and uses the stairs. Are there any difficulties and doubts? Does the change in weather (rainy, cloudy) make the situation worse?

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common problem in ageing dogs, especially large breeds. It can occur in any joint, however, it’s usually seen in the legs, neck, and back of dogs. There are various medications to help relieve discomfort during arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

This problem is common in older dogs and causes decreased energy levels, lameness, stiffness or difficulty getting up after walking and reluctance to exercise.

Kidney problems

Kidney diseases can cause excessive thirst and frequent or uncontrollable urination. Drinking and urinating a lot can cause other problems such as diabetes and various other hormonal diseases.

Heart and respiratory condition

This condition can lead to reluctance to exercise, cough, respiratory problems and fatigue.

Cancers

Every type of this disease has symptoms, but any unexplained weight loss, or growth, warts, or bumps on the skin should be investigated.

Cognitive-behavioural dysfunction

This problem is a syndrome that can cause symptoms consistent with ageing, including confusion, slow walking, and inappropriate sounds.

Cataracts

Cataracts can be one of the problems of old dogs, but blurry and blue eyes can be normal (a condition called scleroderma). Your vet can tell the difference between the two.

Hearing loss

Does your dog have a hard time waking up, or does he startle easily when you approach him from behind? Hearing loss may be the reason. There isn’t much that can be done about age-related hearing loss, however, a vet checkup is necessary to rule out other possible problems. Some other problems that can cause hearing loss in dogs include ear infections, growth, or blockage for any reason. If your dog is experiencing hearing loss, try to protect him from possible dangers such as cars, children, etc. Dogs adapt to different situations and learn to follow your cues.

Cloudy or blue eyes

As the dog ages, sometimes a bluish colour change occurs in the pupils of their eyes. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs with age, and its specialized term is Lenticular sclerosis. Vision is usually not affected in this condition. This problem is different from cataracts. Cataracts are usually white and cloudy, and vision will be affected by cataracts. Take your dog to the vet to be sure.

Muscle analysis

As the dog ages, there may be a mild loss of muscle mass, especially in the hind legs. Some muscle analyses, especially in the head and abdominal muscles, may show diseases such as masticatory myositis or Cushin’s disease. Be sure to consult your veterinarian if you notice any muscle loss in your dog.

Regular visits to the vet for better care of the old dog

To maintain the quality of the old dog, it’s necessary to have the dog under the supervision of a veterinarian. Elderly fogs should be examined by veterinarians at least twice a year. In addition to annual dental cleaning, blood tests, urinalysis, and a full body examination, if necessary, help detect underlying diseases. Unfortunately, only 14% of senior dogs undergo regular health screenings as recommended by veterinarians. Failure to perform annual tests may lead to an acute problem. It can also become a serious condition that can affect your dog’s lifespan.

Regular Veterinary Care 

Regular checkups are a must for older dogs. It’s tempting to miss checkups, but remember that vaccinations and treatment for remaining worms and fleas are very important throughout your dog’s senior years. When the immune system isn’t what it should be, these preventative measures are critical to keeping an older dog healthy. These dogs should be weighed regularly and, if necessary, undergo blood and urine tests to identify specific diseases. Some veterinary clinics have special nurses for regular check-ups of old dogs.

Healthy teeth and gums

Daily dental care by your vet is very important, as older dogs are more prone to gum disease and plaque build-up on their teeth. In addition to regular vet visits, it’s a good idea to check your dog’s teeth and gums regularly.

Aside from ensuring regular veterinary care, understanding the changes needed in your senior dog’s diet is the most important thing you can do. In general, dogs of 7 years and older (depending on their breed) find life easier, and as a result, their nutrition needs to be changed once again. Big dogs are less active and their metabolism is slower, so they need fewer calories. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to provide high-quality, easily digestible protein to help maintain overall health

Physical and mental changes

Talk to your vet about what and how much your dog is eating. Because to maintain weight, a different and healthy diet is needed in various conditions. For some elderly dogs, special diets are prescribed to help them recover from their illness. You also have to consider their muscle wasting and shrinking size. Your dog’s weight can be the same as before. But his body may retain fluids but lose its muscles as a result of some diseases. To help track and detect changes in your dog’s weight, you can take pictures of them. You can also prepare a body size chart for him at home. Depression and anxiety can also be problems for elderly dogs. Therefore, you should discuss this and other related issues with your veterinarian. 

To wrap up

As a dog owner, you can help your dog live a comfortable old age. So, accept his old age first. Take the old dog to the vet for a checkup twice a year. At the same time, be careful of any case that needs immediate attention. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. You can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming in all these steps. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.