9 Major Health Problems seen in Senior Dogs

Senior dogs can live, happy healthy lives, however, as our canine companions age, we are sure to notice some health changes. Owners tend to observe an overall slowing down, lower endurance when exercising decreased, agility and mobility, and sometimes personality changes.

1, Arthritis

Just like people, many dogs develop arthritis as they age the most common form of arthritis seen in aging dogs is osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. This condition mainly affects the weight-bearing joints, causing loss of lubricating fluids wearing a way of cartilage and abnormal bone growth.

These joint changes result in pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, though there is no cure. There are treatments that can slow progression and ease the pain.

2, Kidney Disease

Aging takes a toll on the kidneys, so it is common for older dogs to develop kidney disease.

The chronic kidney renal disease is usually a gradual process that begins as renal insufficiency and progresses to full renal failure. Early kidney changes may be picked up on your analysis. Signs of kidney disease include increased thirst and urination loss of appetite, nausea and lethargy.

3, Deafness.

It is common for older dogs to lose their hearing gradually. Nerve degeneration in older dogs typically results in gradual hearing loss. Nothing can be done to stop the deafness, but much can be done to help the dog adapt.

Many owners will at first mistake hearing loss for dementia, as dogs may display a similar type of confusion. Fortunately, deafness in dogs is fairly easy to handle because it doesn’t happen overnight.

It gives you time to adapt, try specific methods for deaf dog training, like the use of hand, signals soon. You will find that the hearing loss hardly affects your dog’s day-to-day life.

4, Blindness

Like deafness, many older dogs experience a gradual loss of vision.

This is usually due to degenerative changes in the eye, but can be caused by an eye disease like cataracts. If you think your dog is going blind, be sure to visit your vet. If the blindness is simply due to old age, nothing can be done to reverse it.

Fortunately, dogs have other senses that help them adjust to the loss of their eyesight, just be sure to take it slow with your dog, keep him on a leash at all times. If outdoors and try to avoid moving around the furniture in your house.

5, Dementia

Cognitive dysfunction dogs can exhibit developmental changes as they age that are similar to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

The signs are subtle at first, but can become very severe, resulting in poor quality of life. Signs of dementia in dogs include disorientation, confusion, pacing wandering standing in corners as, if lost going to the wrong side of an opening door.

Vocalization withdrawal, not interacting with family as much urinary, fecal accidents, change in sleeping patterns, restlessness and more

6, Cancer

Unfortunately, cancer is all too common in dogs, though younger pets can get cancer.

It is seen much more frequently in older pets. Different cancers cause different symptoms, so it can be easy to dismiss certain signs as simple old age changes. This is why routine wellness screening with your vet is so important.

Cancer treatment options vary depending on the type of cancer and the stage. The sooner it is caught the better the chance of survival.

7, Growths and tumors.

Older dogs tend to get various lumps and bumps.

These should be checked by a vet to rule out cancer. Fortunately, many growths are benign, warts, moles or fatty tumors generally. They will not need to be surgically removed unless they are bothering the dog,

8, Incontinence

Old age changes to the organs muscles and nerves in the body can make it harder for your dog to hold it.

The way he used to incontinence can be a sign of many different diseases, so it is essential to have your vet rule some things out. If there are no other health problems found, you will need to adjust your schedule to let your dog out for potty breaks more often.

9, Obesity

A dog can become overweight at any age, but the effects of aging make weight gain more likely in seniors. Obesity can cause or complicate health problems like arthritis, heart disease and diabetes.

To prevent obesity in older dogs decrease food amount. As your dog slows down, also make sure to keep up with exercise. If endurance is an issue, consider going for multiple short walks in a day, rather than one or two very long walks, if you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately for health related questions always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet know the pets health history and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

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