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How to Care for Your Geriatric Dog

October 8th, 2009

This article was written by Dr. Susan Wright, a licensed veterinarian who writes for DogFenceDIY.com. We provide do-it-yourself petsafe underground fence solutions and free step-by-step guide to installation and dog fence training.

It’s not easy to watch our beloved dogs develop the signs of advancing age. It reminds us that they don’t live as long as we do, and that our time with them is limited. Advances in veterinary care mean our dogs are living longer than ever.

Dogs are considered elderly at different ages, depending on their breed. Large breeds such as Bull Mastiffs and Great Danes are old at 6-8 years, whereas smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas often don’t start to slow down until they’re well over 10.

As our dogs age, they can develop a range of conditions that make life less enjoyable. Although many of these conditions are not reversible, there are things we can do to reduce their impact on our dog’s well being.

Most geriatric dogs will have a degree of arthritis and joint pain. This can make it uncomfortable to go for a stroll, walk up stairs, or jump into the car. Fortunately, there are some very effective pain relief medications that will help your dog feel so much better, and these are the mainstay of arthritis treatment. Other things you can do for your stiff and sore senior is to avoid slippery floors which can be difficult to walk on without falling, and give them a soft bed that keeps them off the hard floor. In cold weather, a hot water bottle or heating pad can make their nights more pleasant.

You may be aware that elderly dogs, like elderly people, can develop a type of dementia known as cognitive dysfunction, which comes on slowly and gradually. This doesn’t just distress your dog, but it plays havoc with your lifestyle. These old souls often wake at night and pace the floor, they go to the toilet in inappropriate places, and seem to forget everything they’ve learned. They can have separation anxiety if they’re left alone, and they are easily frightened by loud noises. You can see why you could find it frustrating!

While medication can really help settle these dogs, it’s also very important to manage their environment. They do well if they can stick to a familiar routine, and it helps if you don’t make sudden changes to their daily life. They enjoy outings – while they may not be up to a long walk, they’d love to go to the park to sniff the trees. Gentle playtime with other dogs is also an activity that can improve their state of mind.

Losing the senses is another unpleasant part of advancing years. Dogs develop nuclear sclerosis, a white hazy appearance to the lens of the eye. This affects their vision. It’s also not uncommon for them to go deaf. There’s not a lot you can do about either of these. As they lose their senses, these old dogs also lose touch with their world around them, and can become more anxious and afraid. Some dogs adapt better than others, but again, it’s critical to keep their environment and routine as familiar as possible. Don’t go moving the furniture if your dog can’t see, and approach them gently with a soft touch so they don’t get a fright.

Virtually all elderly dogs have a degree of dental disease. This can hurt when they eat, but more importantly, it can act as a source of infection that can affect other organs in the body, particularly the heart. If a dog has gingivitis, having his teeth cleaned by the vet will make dinnertime more enjoyable and remove the infection which could be making him feel a bit off color. You may be surprised at the improvement in his demeanor.

Female spayed dogs may become incontinent with age. This can lead to urine scalding around the vulva, and possibly a secondary bacterial infection. This is extremely painful. There are medications that will improve their bladder control and prevent scalding, and trimming the fur in this area will help keep it dry.

For dogs, getting old is inevitable. Being uncomfortable is not. If you work closely with your vet to manage these age related conditions, you’ll make sure your dog’s twilight years are as good as they can be.

Dr. Susan Wright

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: arthritis in dogs, arthritis pain, dental disease, dental disease in dogs, geriatric dogs, incontinence, joint pain, joint pain in dogs, old dogs, urinary problems
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