Aging Issues - The Senior Dogs Project

Become informed about the signs of conditions common to older dogs so that you can bring them to your veterinarian’s attention and decide on a course of action. Prompt attention (i.e., don’t wait until it’s time for the semi-annual visit) provides the opportunity for prompt treatment and a better result.

You are closest to your dog and are in the best position to observe behavior that seems different from normal or problematic. Never assume that a change in behavior or habits is simply due to advancing age and that nothing can be done about it; there may be a highly treatable condition underlying the changes.

Here's an organized look at common health issues in senior dogs and how to approach them:

ISSUE	OBSERVE	ACT/LEARN MORE
ARTHRITIS, MOBILITY	Stiffness, difficulty rising from sitting or lying position; limping; legs trembling; difficulty with stairs	Review with vet need for medication, supplements, exercise Pain management Side-effects of NSAIDs Alternative therapies Assistive devices
DENTAL AND GUM DISEASE	Bad breath; tartar or brown/yellow deposits on teeth; difficulty chewing; rubbing at mouth	Get veterinary attention asap; schedule cleaning How to brush teeth, why proper cleaning requires anesthesia, etc.
WEIGHT/APPETITE	Body profile not ideal (see chart); sudden loss of appetite	Develop plan for weight loss with vet; see vet asap in case of extreme weight or appetite loss Nutrition
LUMPS, BUMPS, SWELLINGS	Hands-on to check for abnormalities of skin or body conformation	See vet asap for any suspicious or unusual growths or other body abnormalities How to do hands-on checks; what to watch for
KIDNEY DISEASE, DIABETES	Excessive drinking, urination, loss of appetite, nausea, lethargy	See veterinarian asap More about kidney disease and diabetes
HEART DISEASE	Unusual breathlessness, fatigue, weakness, coughing, difficulty breathing, increased breathing rate, abdominal swelling	See veterinarian asap More about heart disease

ISSUE	OBSERVE	ACT/LEARN
VISION DECLINE	Bumps into things; missteps; misjudges height when jumping off elevated surface. If sudden onset, may indicate glaucoma, requiring immediate veterinary attention.	Have vet check for eye conditions at regular semi-annual visits. If sudden onset of vision loss, see vet immediately. Otherwise, take protective measures such as keeping on leash. More ......Living with a dog with vision loss
HEARING DECLINE	No longer responds to name or "Come" command; sleeps through sudden, loud noises.	Always use a leash in risky environments. Train/reinforce hand signals. More......Living with a dog with hearing loss
COGNITIVE DECLINE	Dog seems disoriented; gets lost or gazes into corners with no reason; doesn't interact with you as usual; barks inappropriately; has house-training accidents.	See vet for medication that may help. Stay alert to situations that require help; keep on leash to protect. More on cognitive decline
INCONTINENCE	May be due to cognitive decline or another condition	Check with veterinarian first, also try more frequent walks, more relief areas close to home, doggie diapers or belly bands. There are many options for managing incontinence. Managing incontinence
VESTIBULAR SYNDROME	May show up as a sudden onset of loss of balance, disorientation, head tilt, and irregular eye movements. Dog may be unwilling to stand or walk and may fall.	Usually improves without treatment, but vet should be consulted. More on canine vestibular syndrome
IMPORTANT!	Don't assume that a symptom is "simply old age" and can't be helped.	Always consult your veterinarian for possible treatment and/or therapy.

Being tuned into your senior dog and noticing anything that strikes you as unusual is important, but it's taking action that's even more critical when it comes to a timely diagnosis and treatment.

Read more on these and other Conditions and Diseases......