The health of an elderly dog is vital to extend their life span. If you own an older pet, you need to be extra observant about signs that might indicate a health problem.
To keep your pet healthy:
- Provide a good senior diet and regular exercise
- Avoid letting the pet put too much weight on
- Keep their teeth clean
- See the vet for regular check-ups
- Keep an animal and its environment clean and free of parasites
- Treat illnesses quickly
Signs of diseases can include:
- Increased thirst without a change in activity level, and increased urination can be signs of diabetes
- Sudden loss of weight and/or appetite can be extremely serious
- Increase in appetite without increase in weight, this may mean diabetes
- Diarrhoea or vomiting; if lasting more than a day, can indicate many problems
- Tiring more quickly can be a normal sign of ageing, but it can also be a sign of a disease affecting the heart
- Coughing and panting may indicate heart disease
- Difficulty in getting up from a lying position, or other problems with moving may indicate arthritis
- Problems with vision and hearing
Behavioural changes that may need to be checked out by a vet can include:
- Separation anxiety
- Sensitivity to noise
- Vocalising
- Uncharacteristic aggression; this may be due to pain
- Confusion, lack of attentiveness, disorientation
- Roaming in circles, barking at nothing, being withdrawn
- Toilet accidents
Diseases and sickness are more prevalent in senior pets rather than younger ones. Diabetes, cancer, arthritis and heart diseases are just some of the higher illnesses.
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