What is the most important thing to know about caring for a senior dog?
The most important thing about caring for your senior dog is to be mindful that they're transitioning from their more active adult time into their aging years. You might think, "Oh, my dog's just getting older, so they're going to slow down," or they're acting differently because they're just getting older. However, as a veterinarian, I think they might be slowing down or changing their behaviors not simply because they're aging, but because they may be developing age-related diseases or experiencing pain. It's crucial for dog pet parents or caregivers to recognize that behavioral changes aren't just due to aging; something is likely changing in their bodies, and we need to identify it and work together to address it.
What are the most common problems in senior dogs?
By far, the most common problem we see routinely, which dogs sometimes hide well, is canine osteoarthritis. They tend to get arthritic as they age, much like humans do. That's a major issue. In smaller dogs, we often see heart murmurs developing more commonly, especially in petite breeds. We might also notice organ enlargement, particularly the liver, in older dogs. There are many other common issues, such as endocrine diseases, thyroid hormone dysfunction, adrenal gland issues like Cushing's disease, and diabetes. The list is extensive, but these are some of the more prevalent problems.
What are some signs and symptoms that my dog may be slowing down?
We've touched on this a bit. Symptoms of your dog slowing down include changes in how they navigate stairs—going slower, bunny hopping, or moving sideways. You might notice hesitation or difficulty when they try to jump into a car. They might only put their front legs up and need help or miss their jumps. When getting up from lying down, they may take longer to lift their back legs or be slow to lie down. On walks, they might slow down more, look back, or need to rest more frequently. These are signs I associate with arthritis.
What is the life expectancy of a dog?
Life expectancy varies. Small dogs like Maltese, Chihuahuas, and Yorkshire Terriers typically live longer, often reaching 16, 17, or 18 years, with some even reaching 19 or 20. In contrast, large breeds like Mastiffs or Great Danes are considered seniors by six and geriatric by eight. If they reach 10, we're pleased they've lived a long life. For medium to large breeds like Labradors or Goldendoodles, life expectancy is generally around 12 to 14 years. So, it varies depending on the breed.
How can wellness care extend the life of my dog?
Wellness care involves bringing your pet to see us when they're not sick, for physical exams, blood work, or vaccinations. We are trained to recognize subtle changes in your dog, such as muscle mass, weight fluctuations, ocular changes, oral health issues, or fractures you might not notice. We listen to heart valves, check orthopedics, assess painful joints, and palpate the abdomen. We look for things you might not see daily or address concerns you have. Wellness care provides peace of mind by identifying problems early, preventing them from becoming overwhelming for your pet or us to manage. If you have specific questions about your senior dog and want to partner with us at Blue Oasis Pet Hospital, we invite you to schedule an appointment so we can provide care and friendship!
At what age is my dog considered a senior?
We've answered this a little bit in a former video, but for this purpose, a senior dog on average is somewhere between seven and eight. This is kind of when we as doctors start to think about them as being seniors. Certainly, by the time they're nine or ten, we're solidly in the senior group.
What are the health needs of my senior dog?
For senior dogs, I start to think about, “What's their oral health? Do we need to change their nutrition?” Oral health and nutrition go together for me because if they have maybearthritis, cancer, or kidney disease, senior dogs get all kinds of different diagnoses, and there's often nutrition that we can partner with you to help improve their quality of life.
Should I encourage my senior dog to exercise?
Yes, you should encourage your senior dog to exercise. You may have noticed if you have soreness after you've exercised or if you've hurt yourself, it's important to rest, of course, but if you become too sedentary and don't get up and move around, you might notice that when you get up, it becomes painful. Oftentimes, if you just walk and get yourself moving, you actually become less painful. The same thing is true for animals that are aging. It's important for them to continue to get up and keep moving. It actually helps reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, encourages better muscle tone, and decreases the chubbiness of your dog.
What is the difference between a mature senior and a geriatric dog?
Okay, a mature dog would be at the upper end of their adult lifespan. So when I start thinking about it, it might be like a six or seven-year-old dog, especially if they're like a golden doodle or golden retriever. Six or seven is a mature adult. The senior time is when we kind of flip over into that eight to ten years of age on average. That's kind of your senior starting to come, maybe up to 11, and it changes depending on the breed and size of the dog. That's why I say it's about this time. Then, as we get to be geriatrics, those are truly like our 13, 14-year-olds. Those are our geriatric patients.
What health issues do I need to look out for in my senior dog?
The first one I think about is probably osteoarthritis. It's such a common but kind of quiet disease that we often ask about. So really, when you come in, I'm going to talk about how your dog is getting around in your home. How are they getting up from resting? How are they doing with stairs? Are they doing them normally? How did they get in the car when they came to see us? So, probably osteoarthritis is a concern. Then, I start to think about their teeth. What's their dental disease status? Dental issues are an area of infection in the mouth that we might think is normal for dogs, like dental tartar or stinky breath, but it's actually a disease process. Start looking at their mouths more carefully as they become senior, checking for worn teeth or fractures that might bother them. Often, older dogs have little masses, tumors, lumps, and bumps; I say they grow their friends as they get older. Those are things that concern you, so we want to address those lumps and bumps during visits. What else? Oh, the question was health issues. Osteoarthritis, dental care, and unfortunately, it's more common for seniors to get cancer. So we're going to be mindful of palpating their abdomens and looking for potential early cancer diagnoses.
Does my senior dog need vaccinations and preventative care?
The answer is yes! Senior dogs need to keep up with their vaccinations. There may be a point where a veterinarian, including myself, might say the risk of vaccinations could be more worrisome for certain age groups, but this usually applies to dogs with multiple health issues who are really geriatric. It's important to keep them protected, but we do evaluate this subset of dogs more carefully to determine if they still need vaccinations. In general, just because a dog is older doesn't mean they should stop being vaccinated. As dogs mature, their immune systems can be more compromised, and we want to protect them. It's similar to our older human population. Do we vaccinate our older adults less? No, actually, because I'm getting older and I'm getting more vaccines. We aren't adding vaccines for senior dogs usually, but we're maintaining their healthy immune system.
What are some things I can do to make my aging dog more comfortable?
Things you can do to make your aging dog more comfortable depend on how aged they are. Adding extra comfy blankets or pet beds around the house helps. Make sure there's good lighting, so they can see well. Avoid moving furniture around a lot as it confuses older dogs. Good lighting is especially important outside. If there are stairs, consider how they go up and down. Maybe they should stop using the 12 steps out to the back of your house and use the three steps off the front porch instead. We can make accommodations so they can go out the front door rather than the back. Consider if they need assistance when getting up, either from you or better traction. Maybe we need to raise their food bowls if it's harder for their necks to reach the floor. There's a lot to consider and discuss when it comes to an older pet, and it really depends on what they're struggling with.
What if my senior dog sometimes yells at night?
Oh, that's not normal. If your senior dog is yelling or howling or vocalizing at night, recognize that as not normal behavior, and you should probably talk to your veterinarian about it. The first thing that comes to mind isn't necessarily pain but their cognitive health. Dogs can have canine cognitive dysfunction, which is like Alzheimer's, dementia, or aging brain syndrome. It can change their behavior at night. They could also be having seizures and vocalizing during them. So, it goes back to brain disease for me when I hear that.
How can I evaluate my senior dog's quality of life?
Evaluating quality of life in senior dogs can be complex. Caregivers might think that as long as a dog is eating, they are doing well. However, eating is instinctual and not always an indicator of quality of life. If a dog can’t get up without assistance, is mixing up nights and days, is house soiling, or has stopped engaging with the family, these are signs of decreased quality. Pain, mobility issues, and cognitive decline are critical indicators to consider when discussing end-of-life care for a senior dog.
How can I tell my dog is in pain?
Determining if a dog is in pain is challenging because dogs instinctively hide their pain. Unlike humans, they do not vocalize their discomfort. Signs of pain include reluctance to get up, lethargy, decreased appetite, and increased panting without being hot. These subtle changes in behavior can indicate pain, so it's essential to observe your dog closely for these signs.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care for my senior dog?
Hospice care for a dog means that they are nearing the end of their life, and no further treatments will be pursued. The focus is on managing pain and providing comfort without any invasive procedures. Palliative care, on the other hand, might involve some treatments that improve quality of life. While it doesn’t cure the underlying condition, it can extend life and make it more comfortable, such as through surgery to remove a tumor or using medications to manage symptoms.
So what is euthanasia for a senior dog?
Euthanasia is the process of humanely putting a dog to sleep to end their suffering. It is a difficult decision for caregivers, and veterinarians are there to provide support throughout the process. The procedure involves sedating the dog and then administering a final injection that peacefully ends their life. Veterinarians ensure the process is compassionate and aligned with the pet owner's wishes regarding the handling of the remains.
Would it be better to let my senior dog pass away on their own?
Allowing a senior dog to pass away on their own is not usually recommended due to the potential for suffering. Veterinarians take an oath to end suffering, and many conditions at the end of life can cause discomfort or pain. While it’s important to consider the owner’s wishes, the focus is on ensuring the dog is comfortable. Discussing these decisions with a veterinarian can help provide guidance and support to manage the dog's final moments compassionately.
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