Reaching old age for a dog is often the effect of good luck, good life habits by the dog's owner, and in the end, just plain good genetics. If you already have an old dog, skip over the next paragraph and read ahead for tips on caring for your senior citizen. But if you're in the market for a new dog, there is a method to help improve your future pet's odds for longevity.
The list of ingredients starts with a puppy bred by a responsible breeder. Prospective parents should be screened with condition tests proper for their breed before being bred. Add to that a nurturing and stimulating puppy hood. Next, feed a ability prime food for the life of the dog.These days there are specialty diets for puppies and seniors, giant breeds and toys, food for joint condition and for dogs with diabetes or kidney disease. Feed the diet that's right for your dog. Blend in regular examinations with a veterinarian. Vaccinations are available to forestall 13 different canine diseases and dental check-ups should be as routine as an inoculations. Mix in a safe environment. That means a fenced yard or leashed walks, fenced or covered ponds and swimming pools, an I.D. Tag on their collar, and safety from household chemicals, perilous wildlife and dogs you don't know. Let this all sit until your dog is old, gray, grizzled and has more love for you than ever before.
When is a dog old? We used to think that every dog year was equivalent to seven human years. Experts now tell us that a dog's size and breed affect this rejoinder and there are charts to be found on the Internet that are the updated versions of this information.
Once you rule that your dog is "old," what next? Let's break down the areas which most immediately impact your old dog:
Nutrition: power requirements decrease about 20 - 20% in senior dogs which accounts for the increased division of fat content in their bodies Fat dogs die younger than leaner dogs. Keep your oldster trim; It used to be believed that reduced protein spared the kidneys in older dogs. In the book, "Eternal Puppy." written by Janice Willard, Dvm, however, the author shares studies that recommend that older dogs need more high ability protein, not less, to forestall muscle wasting. Optimal protein levels are a controversial topic among nutritionists, but unless your dog has kidney disease, it may not be a good idea to cut your old dog's protein intake. Older dogs have decreased intestinal motility which sometimes make them more prone to constipation. Avoid a high fiber diet, but with your vet's consent, reconsider addition soluble and insoluble fibers.Consumption of vegetables, especially leafy greens, collate with a allowance in inevitable forms of cancer, so reconsider adding a few fruit and vegetables to your dog's diet - very slowly, at first. Give it frequently even if it isn't eaten. Old dogs don't all the time enjoy new things, but if offered routinely or in different form (frozen peas as a crunchy treat vs cooked ones) they may take to it.Add omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) to your dog's diet; Studies have shown that Fish oil supplementation may be helpful for pets with inflammatory diseases including allergies, arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancers.You may not notice changes for at least six to eight weeks, so be patient, and be sure to consult your veterinarian when embarking on anything new.
Flooring: Hard flooring is not only hard on a dog's joints, but offers little traction and puts an old dog at risk for blowing out an Acl or hip. Put down small vinyl-backed rugs for those high traffic spots where the dog is apt to turn a angle or run to go outside.
Bedding: Your senior will spend more time sleeping, so offer the best kind of bedding you can mange. Here are some of your choices:Heated dog beds can be extremely therapeutic for dogs with achy joints. They work like heating pads and are especially appreciated by thin and/or tiny dogs Gel filled orthopedic beds offer maximum support, ease and superior weight distribution. The new Gel foam beds contain heat sensitive memory foam type material that custom forms to pets' bodies, easing pressure on legs and hips. The gel helps keep pets cool in the summer by maintaining a lower ambient temperature, while the foam helps keep pets warm in the winter with dense insulation. Memory foam beds are made from (ta da!) memory foam which was first industrialized by Nasa years ago. Foam beds are an additional one type of body-conforming bed that reduces pressure on joints. Dog Waterbeds can provide therapeutic benefits for pain, Hip Dysphasia, Cushing's Disease, Hygromas, Allergies, Calluses, Post Surgery, Senior Canines, Post Chemotherapy, Skin Conditions, Elbow Dysphasia, and Canine Auto-Immune Hemolytic Anemia. proper orthopedic beds are ordinarily made with a 3" egg crate. Although these beds are probably the bottom in price, the aforementioned options tend to provide good reserve and ease for an old dog.
Incontinence: It happens to the best of us. Don't get mad since given the choice, your dog would rather not have the problem, either. In many cases of canine incontinence, a hormone scantness is the source of the question and these are typically treated straight through the use of drugs such as Diethylstilbestrol. If your vet determines that there is no medical intuit for incontinence other than uncomplicated aging, however, there are any solutions to combat all from periodic "dribbling"to all-out flooding;- Just pick the one best for your dog's situation: If the question occurs during crating or in the night when your dog is sleeping and s/he doesn't move colse to much, re-usable protective pads will work just fine. There are a mind-numbing array of disposable options which a Google search will display.
If the question is more "mobile," there are disposable diapers that feature elastic, no-leak gathers and resealable Velcro tape. You can also make your own "belly bands" for boys and again, a Google search will show you how. For a "no sew" version, insert a antiseptic napkin inside the distance of a man's crew sock (the man should be out of the sock when you do this), and attach sticky-backed Velcro at each end. One prudent clarification to pricey disposables is to purchase two or three washable diapers in which pads can be inserted and disposed of when soiled.We've been impressed with the fit and stamina of uncomplicated Solutions diapers which can be found at Petsmart.
The Handicapped Dog: Older dogs, or dogs with arthritis, degenerative myelopathy (Dm) and spinal problems can sometimes lose the use of their back legs. This is Not catastrophe. A dog can still walk and get the practice they need with a sling or dog wheelchair. To see a dog wheelchair in action, check out "Denali" on Google. For some dogs, a sling works perfectly well as it allows the dog's owner to maneuver medium and large dogs without lifting the whole weight of the dog. If this looks like a clarification for you, be sure to get a sling that's ergonomically designed with adjustable handles that allow you to stand erect and profess your town of gravity.You can't very well help your disabled dog if your own back is thrown "out.'
Hearing Loss: By the time an owner notices hearing loss in their dog - ordinarily in the 4th quarter of a dog's life, it's probable that the loss has been progressive and has ultimately passed a threshold where it's now noticeable. Hearing aids are still impractical for a dog and we are left to do what we can to safe the dog. We should be especially faithful when walking a hearing impaired dog off-lead. Such a dog won't hear his owner call from a distance and may well get lost and become at risk from approaching cars or other animals.
Blindness: The cloudiness we see in our senior dogs' eyes is ordinarily sclerosis, or hardening of the lens of the eye. The light-transmitting capabilities of the lens is still intact and the dog has lost little of its vision, so think of as finding straight through a cheap shower curtain. Up close, you can see straight through the curtain, but at a distance, it's a bit more opaque. Glaucoma and cataracts do occur in dogs and any changes in vision, discharge, squinting, swelling or redness should be seen by a vet right away. If nothing can be done to reverse blindness, take heart in the fact that blind dogs adjust pretty well by using memorized routes colse to the house and feel the vibrations from radios, Tvs and the floor to gauge where they are.
Taste: A geriatric dog may have only 25% of the taste buds he had at a year old, so if your senior is losing weight for no apparent intuit that a vet can determine, food may have become tasteless for your dog. Try addition the tastiness of food with eggs, seasonings, shredded cheeses (especially the "smelly" kind), a sprinkling of fish bits or a "schmear" of Braunschweiger over the top of the food.
Arthritis:Because cartilage cannot mend itself,it is impossible to heal arthritis once it has begun.At best, we can slow degeneration, cut inflammation and limit pain. Most of us are familiar with Rimadyl, a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the relief of arthritic symptoms in geriatric dogs. Aspirin, even low dosage or buffered, is Not a good selection for pain management in dogs. Studies show increased risk of stomach bleeding. Don't do it. Currently, early research looks promising with glucosamine and chondroitin combinations and omega-3 fatty acids. In our own house, each adult dog gets 1,200 mg. Of fish oil, and a table that combines 1500 mg of glucosamine with 1200 mg of chondroitin daily. Our veterinarian is fine with this, but all the time check with your own vet before beginning anything new. Substances such as Msm, hyaluronic aci, New Zealand green-lipped mussels and other antioxidents may also advantage cartilage and joint fluid, but the jury is out on how they work and because these substances aren't regulated by the Fda for dogs, dog owners have to be careful.
Dentistry: By four years of age, 85% of dogs will have some form of periodontal disease. Older dogs are at an increased risk for dental disease because they have reduced salivary production. With a drier mouth, food sticks to teeth more which increases bacteria. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and voyage to places it doesn't belong. Periodontal disease has been involved in the development and acceleration of diseases in the kidneys, heart, liver and brain. Clean Your Dog'S Teeth. If your dog's teeth have been neglected, a pro cleaning may be in order. Ask your vet about putting the dog on a procedure of antibiotics before the scheduled cleaning to combat bacteria, and make sure they are aware of the dog's age. Anesthesia has come a long way and isn't quite as risky for an old dog as it used to be. But it's still anesthesia and should be seriously carefully before using, particularly if your breed has issues with anesthesia.
Ivd or Idiopathic Vestibular Disease is the most tasteless disease on old dogs that you may not be familiar with. Characterized by symptoms that almost look a stroke, these signs contain a head tilt, nausea and rapid eye movement. To learn more about this syndrome, check out the January 2008 issue of KnobNotes in our archives to read more about Ivd, also known as the geriatric disease.
Boredom: Most dogs are active by default, hunting, show and carrying out dogs even more so. But when physical abilities diminish and a dog becomes less capable of their former tasks, other ways must be found to keep their minds active. Toys are only toys if the dog interacts and plays with them, otherwise they become just more "stuff" on the living room floor. Food puzzles are rewarding because they ask interaction. The Molecuball, Buster Cube,Busy Buddies and Canine Genius all offer piquant food puzzles that help stimulate a dog's mind as they recompense effort.
We're just scratched the outside of issues that confront senior dogs and their owners. If you are blessed with an "oldster" in your house, you'll want to research some great books that offer added information:
"Eternal Puppy" by Janice Willard, Dvm;
"How To Make An Old Dog Happy" by Olivier Lagalisse;
"Speaking for Spot," by Dr. Nancy Kay "The Senior Dog" by Heike Schmidt-Roger/ Susanne Blank;
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