Australian Adventure

Senior Changes In Dogs

By Max VanBuren, DVM

We are all faced with the prospect of watching our favorite canine-hunting partner growing old. In the past decade veterinary medicine has keyed into finding ways to enhance the quality of life of our geriatric canines. Not only can we identify potential problems before they occur (through a miriad of testing procedures – blood analysis, radiographs, ultrasound, and urinalysis), but also we can then utilize many new therapies and medicines. These new drugs and therapies can help our senior contingent live longer, happier, and more productive lives.

I’m always intrigued when I hear the response of a client when I ask them “How long would you like your pet to live?” A normal response would be “as long as possible, but gee doc I never thought about it that way.”

Indeed many aspects of longevity are genetic, but certainly not all. It is difficult to say what is most important, but the areas that dog owners have control of that will most enhance longevity are nutrition, creature comforts, preventive medicine, and proper conditioning.

Obviously a proper diet is crucial to allowing any athlete to perform at his optimum level. As a general rule, when dogs reach around eight years of age, I like them switched to a senior diet. Their nutrient availabilities and needs change with age. Just like a puppy needs different nutrients than an adult, a senior needs different nutrients than a middle-aged dog.

Creature comforts include proper ventilation, a nice soft place to lie down, and the ability to stay warm without overly depleting his energy reserves. Your dog needs a place that’s small enough so that his body heat will keep him warm, or have adequate supplemental heat.

Proper conditioning includes regular exercise and a normal amount of body fat. A good rule of thumb is that you should just be able to see a little rib. If the rib is completely covered, he’s too fat, and if the rib is well defined, he’s too thin.

Around eight years of age is a good time to bring your dog into your veterinarian for a good geriatric check up. A good physical exam coupled with some blood work; urinalysis and possibly radiographs will be necessary. Taking a good look at the “inside” of your dog through complete blood count and serum chemistries can often pinpoint early problem areas. Often, by finding these problems early we are able to make significant positive changes in the quality and length of your dog’s productive senior years.

One of the newer buzzwords in veterinary medicine is cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Some folks call it “early Alzheimer’s.” The cause is unknown, but it is very common in aged canines. Excessive anxiety and worry are often manifested by whining or barking for no reason. Loss of concentration and loss of urinary and fecal continence is observed in house carpet soiling and kennel bedding soiling, lack of attentiveness, and aimless wandering. A new medicine has become available which is about 60% effective in controlling these symptoms.

Arthritis is especially common in old working dogs. There are new analgesic, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective agents being introduced regularly. Subclinical pain is often very difficult to evaluate by an owner. No responsible dog owner wishes his hunting buddy to live with pain. Your veterinarian has the tools and knowledge to help you find whether your dog is pain free or not.

There are a great many aging effects that are manifested by a multitude of behavioral changes. Your veterinarian and you may well need to don your detective hats to find out what body system has been affected. It might require a relatively simple treatment, daily medicine, or may not have a treatment. Proaction is certainly the key here, because if you don’t look, you’ll never know.

I’m sure that if all hunters looked at their priorities and thought about the undying loyalty, pleasure, and dedication their hunting dog has given to them, it’s a no brainer that they want him to live as long and as healthy and as pain free as possible.

If you would like to submit any question, please mail to:

Fairfield Animal Hospital

120 D. West County Line

Columbiana, OH 44408