Older Dog Health Issues and What to Do About Them

If you have a dog in your family, you hope she will live to a very old age. But, just like with humans, as a dog ages, various health issues are almost certain to show up. This article will explore some of those issues.

On a personal note, my family is fortunate to have a Dalmatian who just recently turned 17 years old. With a normal maximum lifespan of 14 years, that is old! And we have experienced many of the health issues we will discuss here.

Common Health Issues Facing Older Dogs

Senior dogs are obviously not all the same. The health concerns they experience as they get older is greatly reliant on the type of dog, its normal activity level, and how big they are. But there are some conditions that are common among most types and sizes of dogs, so we will limit this article to those issues.

Joint and Bone Issues

Arthritis is probably the most common condition experienced by our older canine friends. This is a painful inflammation of the joints

Glucosamine for Dogs

which causes a great amount of discomfort in your dog. She will typically slow down a lot, due to this discomfort.

The natural reduction in activity experienced due to arthritis means a greater probability of obesity problems, unless you counter with a reduction in her meals.

The pain and discomfort, fortunately, can be reduced significantly by using one of several anti-inflammatory drugs your veterinarian can suggest.

Your dog also may experience other bone and joint problems, such as intervertebral disk disease, where the disk becomes weaker with age. This causes a portion of the disk to protrude upward, putting pressure on the spinal cord. You probably have heard of this as either a ruptured disk or a herniated disk.

Vision Problems With Your Elderly Dog

The most common vision related issues your dog may experience as she ages are cataracts, glaucoma, and nuclear sclerosis. Cataracts and glaucoma can often lead to total blindness. Nuclear sclerosis, while it appears to be cataracts, is simply when the lens fogs due to fibers in the lens, and is normal.

Cataracts are painless, so normally they are left untreated. However, if the dog is completely blind in both eyes due to cataracts, surgery may be recommended to remove the cataract in one of the eyes.

Glaucoma, on the other hand, is extremely painful, and can result in blindness within hours. If you suspect your dog is suffering from glaucoma (she avoids bright areas, tearing is excessive, or she keeps her eyes closed), get her to a vet as soon as possible! There are certain drugs that have been successful in reducing the pressure in the eye. If the drugs fail, then surgery will be recommended.

Obesity

Becoming overweight is very common in older dogs, mainly because of the lowering activity levels. The extra weight your dog carries can result in many more problems, not only with the joints but also in the circulatory system and digestive tract.

With the decreased level of activity, it is important that you begin lowering the amount of food provided. She simply does not need the same amount of calories she used to. Also, make sure you have switched to a diet more appropriate for the senior canines.

We have discussed three of the more common problems your senior dog may experience as she ages. But, as you can see, it is possible to respond to those issues in a way to minimize pain and ensure he or she enjoys their golden years.

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Make Sure Your Dog Is Getting Enough Exercise

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What do you usually do on Saturday afternoons? Do you often find yourself sitting on the couch watching TV while your dog naps next to you? If this sounds familiar, you need to make a few changes to your lifestyle and exercise more. If you do not take action, you and your dog might end up overweight.

If you do not want to exercise, you should still think about the well-being of your pet. A huge number of dogs are overweight or even obese in the U.S. According to StopCanineObesity.com, it is estimated that 17 million dogs are either overweight or obese in the U.S. Most overweight dogs are out of shape due to their owners feeding them too much. Watching your pet's diet more closely and making sure they get plenty of exercise is the best way to prevent obesity.

Dogs need plenty of exercise for several reasons. A dog who gets enough exercise is usually happier and calmer. Dogs who do not get enough exercise might experience separation anxiety or misbehave. Exercise is good for your dog's overall health. Regular exercise can improve heart, lung, bone and joint health.

There are plenty of fun activities you can do with your dog. You could for instance go for a walk, jog, ride your bike or even go swimming. If you do not want to exercise, find a safe area where you can let your dog run off leash for a while.

It is best to exercise moderately. Your dog will not know when to stop exercising. You should never force your puppy to be more active. Too much exercise can be harmful to a puppy's development and actually hurt their bones and joints. Fun and moderate activities will have positive effects on your puppy's development.

Bicycle lead

If you plan on taking your dog for a bike ride or another activity, take the time to warm up first. Your dog can pull a ligament or a tendon if you do not warm up first. Make sure your dog does not exercise without preparing first and stop when your dog looks tired.

If your dog is used to being inactive, do not overdo it at first. Change your lifestyle one step at a time. Your dog will enjoy exercising but too much activity could have negative effects.

Your dog should have plenty of fun while exercising. Your dog will be happier and live longer if it gets plenty of activity and has fun. Remember that dogs have very different needs when it comes to exercising. For instance, a Golden Retriever will need to run every day while a Boston Terrier does not need to be as active as other dogs. Choose activities adapted to the breed and age of your dog.

Flyball

You can join a group of dog owners who want to help their pets exercise more. Contact the nearest kennel club, pet store or animal shelter and ask about local groups. Rally, flyball and agility are popular activities for dogs and their owners. You will also get the opportunity to make new friends and let your dog socialize with other animals.

Regardless of the activity you choose, your dog will benefit from being more active. Your dog will have a lot of fun, bond with you and live longer thanks to exercise.

Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Make-Sure-Your-Dog-Is-Getting-Enough-Exercise&id=8901686