A senior dog is usually defined as one that is over 7 years of age, although some of the giant breeds (i.e. Great Dane, Giant Mastiff, Saint Bernard) have genetically shorter lifespans and can be considered senior at the age of 5 years. The biological clock moves much faster for pets than it does for people. Instead of taking 18 years to reach physical maturity as people do, dogs mature when they are slightly more than one year old.
The average lifespan for dogs varies between 8 (giant breeds) and 18 years (miniature breeds) depending on the breed and size. With regular and proper health care by your veterinarian you can help your pet live to its optimal lifespan in good health. Aging dogs and cats are like aging people in many ways. They may walk more stiffly and have trouble getting up and down stairs. You may see gray hairs around their muzzle and a duller, drier coat and hazy eyes.
The most important thing you can do for your senior pet is to have a complete health exam every year. Many health problems can be detected and corrected in their early stages. The doctors and staff of The Pet Clinic want your pets to live a long and happy life. We offer a Senior Wellness Profile to help determine the needs of your best friend.
THE SENIOR WELLNESS PROFILE
1)Comprehensive physical exam
2)Complete blood panel
3)Urinalysis
4)Chest X-rays
5)Electrocardiogram
6)Fecal Examination
7)Non-invasive Blood Pressure
8)Tonomotry Eye Pressure
This work-up enables us to find any health problems in your senior pet. Don't think your older pet is just slowing down with age. There is often a health problem causing a change in your dog's behavior.
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE SENIOR PET
Dental Disease
Bad breath, sore gums, difficulty eating, and loss of weight may be some of the signs of dental disease in your senior dog. Having your pet's teeth professionally cleaned is the first step to helping your dog. Most dogs over 3 years old have enough tartar on their teeth to start creating problems.
Chipping the tartar off the teeth is not enough. It often allows problems to continue to develop under the gumline. The most common cause of root infections is periodontal disease that results from tartar accumulation. These problems can be identified and effectively treated during the dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Also dental infections are often the cause of kidney disease and heart disease in pets.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common, painful condition that affects older cats and one out of five adult dogs- more than eight million in all. It occurs when joint cartilage begins to split and fragment. The first signs might include stiffness, lagging behind on walks, or perhaps difficulty jumping up. Often, these signs are mistaken as part of the natural aging process. But chances are, the real cause is arthritis. Many treatment options exist to make your dog or cat more comfortable.
Hypothyroidism
A deficiency in thyroid hormone is common in senior dogs and can result in a dry, flaky coat, a tendency to gain weight, and lethargy. This can be detected with blood testing and corrected with thyroid supplements to get your dog.
Visit our online Senior Resource Center for more information on your senior pet's health.
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