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As the chart demonstrates, your 75lb dog is considered a senior when he is only 6 years old; a comparable 30lb dog is not considered senior until he is 9 years old.
Senior Care™ Checklist
The age/weight factor is not the only one to consider when looking at your older dog. You must also evaluate your individual pet. The checklist below (©2000 Pfizer Inc) can be used as another gauge of your older pet's health. If you check 'yes' to any of the senior warning signs below, your pet may need special care.
Difficulty climbing stairs
Difficulty jumping up
Increased stiffness or limping
Loss of housetraining
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Changes in activity level
Excessive panting
Circling/repetitive movements
Confusion or disorientation
Excessive barking
Less interaction with family
Decreased responsiveness
Tremors or shaking
Skin and hair/coat changes
Changes in sleeping patterns
Less enthusiastic greeting or behavior
Altered appetite
Weight change
Other
Common senior conditions
Regardless of your pet's age in 'doggie' years, it is their designation as 'senior,' based on their age/weight equivalent, that should be looked at when preventing and treating common senior conditions.
As your pet ages, several common senior ailments can occur. These are listed below, along with their warning signs.
Kidney Failure: Increased water intake; increased urination and accidents; weight, muscle, and appetite loss
Diabetes: Increased food and water intake; increased urination
Gastrointestinal Disorders:Vomiting; flatulence; diarrhea
Arthritis: Stiffness, reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump, or play; difficulty rising from a resting position; lagging behind on walks; behavior changes
Hearing Loss: Sleeping more soundly; apparent lack of awareness of loud noises; no response to calls
Cataracts and Vision Loss: Bumping into furniture, doors, and walls; easily disoriented; cloudy eyes
Cushing's Disease: 'Pot-bellied' appearance; increased water or food intake; frequent urination; hair loss; muscle weakness; changes in activity level; decreased responsiveness to attention
Thyroid Disease (ie Hypothyroidism): Reduced activity; weight gain; hair loss; shivering
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): Disorientation (confusion); decreased or altered response to family members; abnormal sleep-wake patterns; loss of housetraining
Heart Disease (ie Hyperthyroidism): Labored breathing; coughing; sluggishness; fainting; abdominal fluid
Periodontal Disease: Bad breath; buildup of plaque on teeth; inflamed gums; excessive drooling; reluctance to be touched on face or near mouth
Cancer: Unusual growths; abnormal lumps and bumps
Obesity: Weight more than 15% over ideal weight
Arthritis: Know the signs
One of the most common senior conditions in pets is arthritis. Keep a sharp eye out for this disease. While your dog cannot talk, he can tell you he's hurting. Because arthritis is a chronic condition that progressively manifests itself over time, pain, stiffness, and lameness increase as the condition worsens.
The associate behavior changes become more apparent as the condition becomes more severe. Signs of arthritis include the following:
Decreased activity
Stiffness
Difficulty rising from a resting position
Lagging behind on walks
Reluctance to walk, run, climb stairs, jump, or play
Limping
Soreness when touched
Yelping or whimpering in pain
Acting aggressively or withdrawn
Exhibiting other personality changes
If you notice any of theses changes, schedule an appointment with us. The sooner the condition is recognized, the sooner your dog can be helped.
Exercising Your Senior Dog: An Ounce of Prevention...
One way to help your senior pet stay healthy, and potential avoid some of the conditions listed above, is to provide plenty of regularly scheduled exercise. This can range from daily walks, to throwing the ball, to even just playing inside the house. Any activity is good activity!
Frequency: On average, most dogs should get about one to two 15-20 minute exercise sessions a day
Time of day: It is best to exercise older pets in the early morning or early evening hours when it is cooler out (especially during summer months)
Heat stroke: Remember, pets can suffer from heat stroke when exposed to direct sun even when only for a short period of time. Dogs with darker colored coats are slightly more at risk than ones with lighter coats. Avoid exercising them in the sun during the hottest parts of the day (between 10am and 3pm).
Cold weather: Exercising in cold weather can cause a shortness of breath, decreased range of motion, and frostbite.
Swimming: Swimming is a great form of exercise for senior dogs. It allows a great range of motion without putting strain on joints.
Monitoring: Monitor your pet for signs of weariness, soreness, and stiffness. Adjust your exercise routine accordingly.
Senior Wellness Profiling
While looking at the external signs mentioned above is one way to ensure the continued health of your senior pet, studies have shown that approximately 20% of middle age cats and dogs that appear healthy upon physical examination have an underlying disease. Because of this, we recommend you schedule a Senior Wellness Profile with us. The profile takes a close look at liver, kidney, and pancreas function as well as red and white blood cells. It's a great way to implement a whole body approach to senior care.
Information based on material supplied by Amy, at Mulnix Animal Clinic Certified Veterinary Technician. September 6, 2005. References have been made whenever available.
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