The challenges of caring for an aging dog have increased in the past fifty or so years.
Ironically, some of these challenges can be due to advances in veterinary medicine, higher quality foods and more educated owners.
Just getting a dog's teeth cleaned can add years to his life, yet this opportunity was not always available even to the most caring dog owners.
When you take care of your dog, he lives longer.
As a result, you have to deal with natural physical and mental changes due to aging, even when your dog is completely health.
These changes include slower reflexes time, less ability to run and jump, and sometimes a preference for more sleep.
Dog owners need to be vigilant when they see changes in their dog's behavior.
They also need to question any changes in a dog's behavior.
Aging humans have to fend off comments like, "What can you expect at your age?" Aging dogs sometimes have treatable illnesses that can cause symptoms that resemble aging.
For instance, my first dog slowed down and didn't seem interested in running or jumping.
After she was treated for a bladder infection - condition that seemed completely removed from her symptoms - she gained a new surge of energy.
She was almost her old self again.
Some dogs demonstrate a high tolerance for pain.
As an owner, you will have trouble recognizing symptoms of aging or illness.
Therefore some veterinarians and experienced owners recommend regular exams and blood tests, even if the dog seems completely healthy.
Without these test results, it is difficult to figure out what's happening.
A dog who is just slowing down may be going through a normal aging process, but he may have a condition ranging from arthritis to infection to more complicated problems.
Early detection often can delay negative outcomes and give your dog a higher quality of life.
Your veterinarian may be able to give you a checklist that you can perform at home to see if your dog needs attention between office visits.
Ironically, some of these challenges can be due to advances in veterinary medicine, higher quality foods and more educated owners.
Just getting a dog's teeth cleaned can add years to his life, yet this opportunity was not always available even to the most caring dog owners.
When you take care of your dog, he lives longer.
As a result, you have to deal with natural physical and mental changes due to aging, even when your dog is completely health.
These changes include slower reflexes time, less ability to run and jump, and sometimes a preference for more sleep.
Dog owners need to be vigilant when they see changes in their dog's behavior.
They also need to question any changes in a dog's behavior.
Aging humans have to fend off comments like, "What can you expect at your age?" Aging dogs sometimes have treatable illnesses that can cause symptoms that resemble aging.
For instance, my first dog slowed down and didn't seem interested in running or jumping.
After she was treated for a bladder infection - condition that seemed completely removed from her symptoms - she gained a new surge of energy.
She was almost her old self again.
Some dogs demonstrate a high tolerance for pain.
As an owner, you will have trouble recognizing symptoms of aging or illness.
Therefore some veterinarians and experienced owners recommend regular exams and blood tests, even if the dog seems completely healthy.
Without these test results, it is difficult to figure out what's happening.
A dog who is just slowing down may be going through a normal aging process, but he may have a condition ranging from arthritis to infection to more complicated problems.
Early detection often can delay negative outcomes and give your dog a higher quality of life.
Your veterinarian may be able to give you a checklist that you can perform at home to see if your dog needs attention between office visits.