Senior Pets
By Mariann Chew
It happens to every living organism on earth, we all grow old. If you have a senior pet you will notice changes in their behavior, appetite, appearance and health. Here are a few suggestions to help your older pet ease into her golden years. Never force activties on your older pet, your pet will never complain but if she refuses to do something she might be experiencing discomfort or pain. Like us, older pets can suffer from joint pain and arthritis. Give her more frequent rest periods and more mental activities, such as a game of hide and seek for a treat. Give your pet a gentle message after physical activities or illness. It will help to stimulate her muscles. Speak to your veterinarian about diet changes for your pet, as they age, they tend to put on weight. Remember an obese pet has many more health problems as they age. If your pet starts to urinate in the house, she maybe experiencing kidney problems, never punish her for any accidents she may have. Your veterinarian may suggest a highly detestable protein diet and a low-phosphorus diet. A diet change should be done gradually. Sudden changes in her diet may upset her stomach and cause diarrhea. As your dog ages she may secrete oil from her sebaceous gland which causes her to have a smelly skin or old dog smell. Speak to your veterinarian about skin hygiene that may help reduce the smell. Older dogs need to be bathed more often than younger ones. This keeps your dog healthier and a better smelling house mate. Some signs of old age you may notice on your pet are hearing loss, their coat becomes thinner, their muscles shrink and become weaker, their pupils have a cloudy film, their hair turns grey on the muzzle and around their ears, and the fluid in their joints dries up and causes inflammation and pain. Most larger breeds of dogs will experience joint pain and arthritis as they age. It is important to contact your veterinarian about pain relief and medication. Also it is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight to reduce her pain. Heart disease is a common cause of death in dogs. Especially susceptible to heart problems are Doberman Pinchers. I personally lost both of my male, red, Dobermans to an enlarged heart. That is why it is so important to have your senior dog seen regularly by your veterinarian. The earlier medical treatmment begins that longer your dog may live. The general rule of thumb, is the smaller your dog is the longer it will live. The miniature poodle, generally speaking has the longest life span of all dogs with the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane having the shortest life span. Your pets have given you the best years of their lives, it is your responsibility as a loving pet owner to make their transition into old age as comfortable and pleasant for them as possible. FYI: A cataract is a crystalline development in the eye lens. Labrador Retrievers are one of the few breeds that are more susceptible to inherit cataracts. Remember to spay and neuter your pets.