How Can I Keep My Senior Dog Happy and Healthy?

[dog is my buddy]

Many people want to know what they can do to help keep their senior dog happy and healthy.

There are several changes you can make to your pet's routine lifestyle to maintain health for your senior dog. Here are some tips.
• Increase the frequency of your dog's routine veterinary examinations. Thorough veterinary visits are a great way to detect the early onset of illness that might not be noticed at home. There are some common signs of problem - to read more about them, read our article When Your Senior Dog Needs to See a Vet.
Vaccinations (immunizations, "shots") have saved the lives of millions of dogs. Before the days of effective vaccines, dogs routinely died from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and complications of upper respiratory infections. Current vaccination programs protect our dogs (and us) from the threat of rabies. As pets age, questions about vaccinations arise. Common questions include which vaccines a senior dog needs and how often should he be vaccinated. Unfortunately, the absolute answers to these questions are not known but there are several recommendations.

Despite the well-known benefits of vaccination, the practice of annual vaccination of senior dogs is controversial. Some veterinarians believe that annual revaccination is an important and critical part of preventative health care. There has been some research that indicates that the immune system of older dogs is not as effective as younger dogs.

• Pay attention to detail. The smallest change in your senior dog could be the sign of an early onset illness. Small changes in behavior, attitude and daily routine may indicate that your pet is not feeling the best.
• Tailor your schedule to your senior dog's needs. Remember your senior dog will need daily exercise and possibly more frequent bathroom trips. Keeping your senior dog happy and healthy may require some special attention, but utilizing some of the simple steps above can help your senior dog easily maintain a wonderful senior lifestyle and make the transition from adult to senior a little easier. Many people ask what vaccines their senior dog needs. I'm in the camp that they need less. Read our article - Vaccinating Your Senior Dog
Senior dogs should ideally get routine twice-yearly veterinary exams. Small changes in behavior can be normal, however there are certain symptoms that should concern you.

If you notice any of the symptoms detailed in this article you should report them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Any one or more of the following symptoms could be caused by a range of minor or major illnesses.

Remember, it's not your job to diagnose the disorder. It's your job to observe your dog, evaluate all of his bodily functions and report his symptoms to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your dog is having severe symptoms such as struggling to breathe or loses consciousness, take him to your veterinarian immediately.

• Consider changing from adult to senior dog food. The nutritional value in premium dog foods are designed to meet the needs of your pet's age and lifestyle. For information on how to select a nutritionally balanced diet for your senior dog, please read our article on Feeding Your Senior Dog.
As dogs age, their health and stamina slowly decline. Their bodies lose the ability to repair themselves, maintain normal body functions and adapt to the stresses and changes in the environment. In addition, around age 7 for most dogs and age 5 for giant breed dogs, metabolism slows down and older dogs require fewer calories.

The proper diet is very important in the care of an aging dog. However, there is no best food to feed a geriatric dog; the best food depends on the specific problems or nutritional requirements of the individual animal. Most foods for older dogs are lower in protein, sodium and phosphorus to help their aging hearts and kidneys. Increased amounts of certain vitamins have also been found to be beneficial in the senior dog.

Obesity is a very common problem of older animals and should be taken seriously. It directly correlates to a decreased longevity, and may contribute to other problems.

For the best health care, provide your older dog a good quality food that is appropriate for his specific needs, and do not allow your dog to gain excessive weight. Try not to give table scraps, and stick with a consistent diet.

Dogs that are arthritic have a far more difficult time moving and may require strong anti-inflammatory drugs to ease their discomfort. Weight loss in these animals may have great impact on improving their quality of life. Your veterinarian can prescribe or recommend special lower calorie, high fiber diets that make weight loss easier.

Additionally, through the geriatric work-up, special nutritional requirements or restrictions may be recommended. These diets attempt to either slow the development of the disease process, or improve specific organ function. Special diets for many diseases (even in the early stages), including kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, heart, dental and skin disease, are available. Diets for diabetes and cancer may also be recommended.

Proper nutritional management is a very important part of the care for your geriatric dog, especially since it is something that you have control over.

By Dr Jon