How To Keep Your Older Dog Healthy
As it is with humans, aging is inevitable for dogs. However with advances in canine medical science, the average lifespan of a dog has stretched from 7 to 12 years, and with this comes older dog health issues to which owners should be alert.
Dogs can begin to exhibit signs of aging from as early as 7 years old, and usually the larger breeds age faster than small breeds. Smaller dogs can be 10 to 12 years old before they begin to show such signs. But whatever the breed, older dog health problems will become issues for their owners.
While every dog is different depending on his lifestyle, size and breed, and their health problems manifest themselves in different ways, there are some older dog health issues common to all senior dogs.
As a dog ages his metabolism slows down and you will notice him taking longer to recover after exercise, and being slower to stand up, especially after resting. He may no longer be able to jump into the car, or run upstairs as he did when a puppy.
Dogs, especially the larger breeds, can suffer with joint and bone problems, particularly arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint, and for dogs (as with humans) it can be extremely painful. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication may be required. Vets often recommend a gradual weight reduction for those dogs that are overweight, because the heavier the dog, the more pressure his joints are under.
Older dogs are also susceptible to eye problems, particularly cataracts and glaucoma. Owners usually notice cataracts when their dog’s eyes take on a cloudy appearance. Glaucoma on the other hand is very difficult for owners to detect and as such can be potentially very serious if left untreated.
All of a dog’s internal and external organs become compromised as he ages. The kidneys, lungs, heart and liver work less efficiently and the immune system ceases to fight viruses and bacteria as well as it used to.
Canine dental care is another area that can cause problems as a dog ages. Owners should check regularly that gums a bright and healthy and that there is no build up of plaque on the dog’s teeth. Any dental problem left untreated could affect other organs, even the heart.
With many of the conditions of older dog health, the best thing you can do for your dog is to lavish him with affection. Monitor any changes and brush his coat daily.
It is vital that owners acknowledge the fact that their dog is slowing down, and adjust the his diet accordingly. Continuing to feed a dog without a downward adjustment to its calorific count will result in an overweight dog. Carrying around that extra weight puts renewed pressure not only on the joints, but just about every other organ as well.
So the best older dog health tips are: regular visits to the vet, monitor any changes in your dog’s mobility, regularly check his gums, teeth and eyes, and feed him a diet that reflects his slower lifestyle. Oh yes, lots of cuddles and pats.
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Don’t Neglect Dog Paw Health
It’s obvious that should a dog have a paw injury or health problem, its mobility will be affected in some way. Detecting that a problem exists before it becomes debilitating for him is the responsibility of his owner.
Dog paw health can be adversely affected by injury, illness or allergy and acting fast will alleviate discomfort and hasten recovery.
For dogs who enjoy outside activity, foreign objects like twigs and thorns can lodge in between his toes. If you find this has happened and can easily remove the object, follow up with bathing the area with a saline or hydrogen peroxide solution for a few days to prevent infection. By leaving it unattended, an abscess may form and result in infection.
Just as cuts in human fingers and toes bleed profusely when cut, so too do the pads and webbing between the toes in dogs. It is because these are vascular areas and to stop bleeding a pressure bandage will be required. If the cut is very deep, a visit to the vet is advisable.
If swelling is apparent between the toes, it is possible that the dog has developed an interdigital cyst. These are not uncommon and are caused by a sweat gland blockage. Soaking the paw in salty water will help bring the cyst to a head. If it doesn’t, a trip to the vet is required.
One of the most common paw problems in dogs is interdigital dermatitis, and is often caused by allergies, especially to some grasses. If the dog cannot be prevented from licking the area, the skin could become raw and the veterinarian will need to be consulted for anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medication.
The ideal ways to ensure good dog paw health are:
• Examine your dog after playing and exercising to ensure he has not scrapes, cuts, prickly seeds, splinters etc. especially if you have been in an open grassy area or forest
• Always dry your dogs paws carefully after he has gone swimming, has been on wet grass, after giving him a bath
• Stop your dog from licking any area of skin that is swollen, ulcerated, or irritated (you may need to bandage the area).
• If you ever suspect that your dog has walked over dangerous chemicals wash the dog’s paws very carefully with sponge and cold water, don’t allow him to lick the area, and call your veterinarian.
• For dogs who do not walk and run often, it may be necessary to cut your dogs nails. Take instruction from the vet on how to do this, or better still, have the vet do it. If allowed to grow long, nails can snag and break causing a lot of discomfort to the dog.
Dog paw health is an area that can be overlooked but a dog spends a lot of time on his feet and will suffer if any problems are left unattended.
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A Dog’s Dental Health Is A Sign of A Healthy Dog
Healthy Dogs Have Healthy Teeth
Dental health is just as important for dogs as it is for humans, but many dog owners don’t think about their pet’s teeth until a problem arises. It is estimated that if a pet owner manages his dog’s dental health well, it would probably live up to 7 years longer.
The immune system of pets is greatly stressed by dental disease, so much so that their resistance is lowered and they become susceptible to other, more serious, health issues. Mouth infections can lead to serious gum problems and affect other parts of the body, even the heart. So it is vital that a dog’s dental health be integral to any care program.
Puppies have 23 baby teeth, and adult dogs have, depending on their breed, around 42 teeth. Just like humans, as adult teeth arrive, they push out the baby teeth. Watch needs to be kept that, as the puppy grows, the adult teeth are coming through comfortably and are not crowded by baby teeth.
To check your pet’s mouth, start by talking to him gently. Cover his muzzle with your hand and gently lift up the sides of his mouth. There are some important things to watch for. Firstly, healthy gums are firm – they can be spotted, black or pink; and check that the dog’s breath is not foul smelling.
Look for soft white matter (plaque) or hard white, yellow or brown matter (calculus) on the teeth. The plaque can be brushed away, but calculus is a build-up that will need to be scraped off by a veterinarian.
Dog’s teeth should be cleaned regularly, and there are toothbrushes, toothpastes and gels designed specifically for dogs. A dog’s gum tissue grows very rapidly, so care must be taken not to damage it. Never use products made for humans – the brushes will be too firm and the pastes may contain harmful ingredients that will induce vomiting.
To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, start by rubbing his gums and teeth with your finger. Introduce a small quantity of toothpaste and let him lick and sniff it. Let him do the same with the toothbrush. Once familiar with the brushing sensation and the products you are introducing, the tooth brushing process should not be distressing for him, or you.
What a dog eats can also affect his dental health. Dry kibble helps keep teeth cleaner than wet dog food. As the dog chews the kibble, plaque is scaped from the tooth surface. Chewing dog biscuits has similar teeth-cleaning benefits.
Dental chew-toys are also on the available, and these have been designed to have an abrasive effect.
If bad breath (halitosis) is a problem, and other health issues have been ruled out, then there are products available that can be added to the dog’s drinking water to help.
There many products on the market now that are specifically designed to help you care for your dog’s dental health. Greenies the Original Smart Chew Available at Wholesale Prices. Order Today for Huge Savings!
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