With new advances in medicine, both humans and dogs are living longer
than ever, but this leads to some special considerations for a growing
population of senior dogs. Read on to learn more about some challenges
that senior dogs may face, and how we can help them.
As dogs (and humans) get older, their senses diminish. The first sense
that dogs begin to lose is often hearing. This is usually a gradual
change, and most owners don’t even realize their dog has begun to lose
some hearing until the hearing loss is quite significant. Don’t worry
though, dogs are remarkably adaptable and compensate in other ways. It
can be helpful for owners to communicate with their dogs by clapping,
or using hand movements along with common commands such as “sit”,
“stay”, or “come”. Once the dog begins to associate the command with
the hand movement, the verbal command may no longer be necessary,
which is helpful for a dog with hearing loss. Eyesight in dogs can
also gradually diminish, however it is important to distinguish
between normal age related changes, and more significant blindness.
Lenticular sclerosis is a normal age related change that occurs as the
lens ages. This results in a bluish or cloudy haze of the lens, which
is visible through the pupil. However, this age related change does
not cause significant vision loss. While lenticular sclerosis can
appear as a cloudy lens, it is important to distinguish it from
another lens disease called cataracts. Cataracts are not a normal age
related change, and when left untreated can cause damage and
inflammation to the eye, leading to blindness. If you think your dog
may have a more serious eye condition, please follow up with your
veterinarian immediately as eye disease can be quite painful.
As dogs are living longer, we are seeing an increase in cases of
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), or “doggy dementia.” CCD is
believed to be similar to Alzheimer’s Disease in humans. CCD in dogs
presents as a decline in mental function that leads to disorientation,
pacing, accidents in the house, vocalizing, changes in social
behavior, and changes in sleep patterns. We are still learning about
CCD in dogs, and while we do not have a cure for this disease, there
are some medications that can help your dog to feel better and relax,
and get a good night’s sleep.
Older dogs may have a higher rate of joint disease like arthritis that
can affect their mobility. As joint disease progresses, pain
medications may be helpful for your dog’s comfort. Alternative
therapies such as laser therapy and acupuncture can also be helpful in
alleviating pain and increasing function and mobility. Laser therapy
reduces inflammation and brings blood flow to the area, and some
studies have actually shown that laser therapy can increase ATP
production in the cell, the key to the cell’s energy. Acupuncture can
reduce pain, increase neurotransmitter release, reduce inflammation,
and reduce muscle tension. No matter what age your dog is, one way to
help prevent joint disease is to give them a quality joint supplement.
Joint supplements are intended to prevent joint disease, but are
helpful at any stage. Look for a product that contains glucosamine,
chondroitin, MSM, as well as green lipped mussel and curcumin. While
supplements are not proven to treat disease, these ingredients are
thought to reduce inflammation and reduce incidence and severity of
joint disease.
Keeping your dog active is a huge part of keeping your dog healthy.
You may have heard the phrase, “a body in motion, stays in motion.”
This saying applies to both humans and dogs. Exercise is so important
in keeping your senior dog’s weight at an optimal level, as well as
for promoting joint health. If your dog does have arthritis or seems
stiff or painful, there are ways to accommodate these conditions while
still providing exercise. Low impact exercise is a great way for our
senior friends to remain active. Low impact exercise can include
walking and swimming, as opposed to high impact exercises that include
running or jumping. Other modifications that may help senior dogs
include decreasing the length or speed of their walks, or breaking
their walks into shorter but more frequent walks. The key is to
provide adequate low impact exercise, but also be mindful of not
allowing your dog to over exert him or herself.
Your veterinarian can help you evaluate the special needs and
limitations of your senior friend, and help you to make the correct
accommodations in their life. Annual senior examinations and bloodwork
are crucial to helping diagnose potential issues early on, which
allows for better treatment options. Not only can we give our dogs
longer lives, but we can give them better quality lives as well.