Dogs older than seven years of age are considered senior pets. Senior dogs are in the stage of life in which the aging process is beginning to affect every organ system. Some organs wear out faster or are more susceptible to cumulative damage than others, so certain observations are especially important to make. The following is a list of key recommendations that we feel are important for older dogs. Keep vaccinations current. Your veterinarian will determine the proper vaccine schedule for your senior pets lifestyle. Most senior pets will receive most vaccines every three years. Some vaccines with shorter duration of immunity such as the kennel cough, Leptospirosis or Lyme disease vaccines may be given more frequently (every six to twelve months). Have blood and urine tests evaluated at least once a year. Early detection of chronic diseases such as kidney disease, thyroid disease and diabetes is the key to successful treatment and preservation of quality of life. Brush your pet frequently to prevent matts. This can contribute to skin infections and may hide skin tumors.senior_dogs_-_recommendations-1_2009 Clip toe nails as needed to prevent overgrowth. Long toe nails may cause the dog to stand and walk abnormally and result in pain or accelerate and exacerbate arthritic changes. Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its consumption. Increases in water consumption or urination are often associated with conditions such as diabetes, kidney and liver disease. Keep other pets from preventing your senior pet access to food and water. Keep your senior pet indoors most of the time, especially in inclement weather. Weigh on the same scale and record results at least every two months. Changes in weight can be an early indicator of disease.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 05:00:00 +0000
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