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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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 Old
age is not a disease
As a result of advances in veterinary
medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, dogs are
now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans,
the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice
that your once-frisky pet seems to have slowed down a bit. Being
aware of the natural changes that can occur as your dog reaches
his or her golden years, as well as what you can do to help keep
your pet as healthy, active and comfortable as possible, can
ensure that you both enjoy this final stage in your dog's life to
the fullest.
 How-and
when-will I know that my dog is getting “old”?
As dogs move into the geriatric phase of their lives, they
experience gradual changes that are remarkably like those of aging
humans: hair turns grey, their bodies are not as limber and reflexes
not as sharp as they once were, hearing, eyesight and the sense of
smell may deteriorate and energy levels, as well as attention spans,
seem to diminish. In fact, the first sign of aging is often a
general decrease in activity, combined with a tendency to sleep
longer and more soundly. Such signs may begin to manifest themselves
before 8 years in large breeds like Great Danes, while smaller
breeds can remain youthful until 12 years and even longer.
Furthermore, a healthy dog, especially one that has been spayed or
neutered before 6 months, will most likely age later than one that
has been affected by disease or environmental problems early in
life. Again, as with humans, the aging process will vary with the
individual. Your veterinarian will be able to judge when it's time
to consider your pet a “senior”.
Checkup time now
comes twice a year
As your dog ages, regular checkups at the veterinarian’s become
more important than ever. In fact, at this stage of your pet’s
life, it is recommended that he or she receive a thorough
examination every 6 months, as adult dogs can age as much as 3
years (in human terms) within the period of one calendar year.
Besides the usual complete physical examination, your
veterinarian may conduct a urine and fecal analysis and blood
work. Ultrasound and other imaging tests may be recommended to
detect early heart or internal organ changes. |
Keep
your vet informed
Most importantly, you should tell your veterinarian about any
noticeable change in your dog's physical condition or behavior. A
problem that you may assume is simply related to your pet's advanced
age may actually be the result of a treatable medical condition. For
example, your dog's reluctance to exercise may not stem from the
normal decrease in energy that comes with age, but from arthritis or
a heart condition - both of which can be managed with the proper
treatment. Regular, semi-annual checkups can thus help your
veterinarian work out a suitable preventative health program for
your pet and catch any problems sufficiently early to provide
effective treatment. Working together, you can both ensure that your
dog's senior years will be healthy and happy ones.
Something to chew on
 As
your pet ages, your dog’s nutritional needs may also change. You
may find that, although your pet is eating less, he still puts
on weight. This could be due to a slowdown of his metabolism or
a decrease in his activity. Excess weight can aggravate many
canine medical conditions, including heart, respiratory, skin
and joint problems. To help a portly pet reduce, try feeding
smaller quantities of food or gradually switch to a diet that is
lower in calories. Other dogs have entirely the opposite
problem—they lose weight as they age, sometimes as the result of
heart or periodontal disease or diabetes. In either case, ask
your veterinarian for advice about your pet’s individual
nutritional requirements.
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Put comfort on the menu
You should also ensure that your dog is comfortable while eating.
Most pet owners place food dishes and water bowls on the floor, but
this may be a source of discomfort for a large or overweight dog, or
for one whose arthritis makes it difficult—or even painful—to bend
down. Many pet supply outlets have eating tables that are specially
designed with cut-outs for food and water containers and are
available in various heights to suit various sizes of dogs. Or you
can fashion your own inexpensive solution to this problem: for
example, a plastic crate covered in a towel to absorb spills.
Senior dog food do’s &
don’ts
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Do make sure that your dog’s diet
includes at least 18% high-quality protein and 5% fat per
serving. |
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Do consider, in consultation with your
veterinarian, increasing the level of fibre in his diet,
especially if he suffers from frequent constipation. |
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Don’t feed your dog between-meal snacks
or table scraps. |
The top 10
health tips for senior dogs
- Take your dog to his or her
veterinarian for twice-yearly checkups.
- Become informed about conditions and
diseases common to senior dogs, be on the lookout for
symptoms and, should they arise, inform your dog’s
veterinarian promptly.
- Feed your dog the best food you can
afford and consider giving him two small meals a day rather
than one large one.
- Don’t overfeed—obesity causes many
health problems and may shorten your dog’s life.
- Consider, on your veterinarian’s
recommendation, the use of dietary supplements such as
glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis. Your veterinarian may
recommend daily pain medication.
- Make sure your dog receives adequate
exercise, according to his physical capacities.
- Look after your dog’s dental health.
Brush his teeth daily and have them cleaned professionally
when your veterinarian so advises.
- Have your veterinarian do a risk
assessment to determine an appropriate vaccination protocol
for your dog.
- Do your utmost to control ticks and
fleas and make sure your dog and his environment (his bed,
play area, etc.) are always spotlessly clean.
- Give your dog lots of love and
attention and do all you can to keep him interested, active,
happy and comfortable.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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