Senior
Dogs:
For
Senior Dogs :-
Annual
vet exams are mandatory, but become more frequent as your pet nears
its senior life stage. As dogs grow older, many signs of potentially
serious health problems begin to emerge. It is much better to be safe
than sorry and hence report anything new or unusual to your
veterinarian. This is also an emotional time for many pet owners
since dog live younger than humans.
A big
component of taking care of senior dogs also involves counseling
young family members in the event of a tragic loss of your pet.
Senior dogs are most commonly affected by arthritis, failing hearing,
sight, slowing down of internal bodily processes and sadly neglect
from owners. Your pet has been with these many years, its time you
stand by it too.
Because
senior dogs are more prone to certain health and behavior problems,
we recommend a special senior health care program:
Regular
checkups are a must. Even the healthiest dog should see their
veterinarian at least annually; twice a year is often recommended for
senior dogs. Ask your veterinarian how often routine checkups are
recommended for your dogs age and condition.
Ask
about senior dog care. Many veterinarians offer a special senior dog
care screening for older dogs. This will include a thorough physical
exam as well as specialized diagnostic tests appropriate to your
dog’s age, breed and health history.
Many
veterinarians recommend blood tests and urinalysis, as well as chest
radiographs and/or an EKG. These tests can be used to establish a
baseline for a number of body functions and aid in early diagnosis of
medical problems in the future. Early diagnosis can safeguard your
pet’s health and prolong his life. Discuss with your veterinarian
which diagnostic tests are appropriate for your dog.
Keep up
vaccinations and parasite prevention. Older dogs are less resistant
to disease and more susceptible to infections.
Make
sure your dog gets vaccination boosters and heartworm preventatives
on schedule, and keep him free of fleas, ticks and other external
parasites.
Keep
your veterinarian informed. Make sure to let your veterinarian know
about any health or behavior problems you have observed in your dog.
Senior Dog Diets:-
It
should come as no surprise that senior dogs have special dietary and
nutritional needs, too. Keep these suggestions in mind when feeding
your senior dog
Watch
those calories. Older dogs are usually less active and have a slower
metabolism than their young counterparts. If you continue to feed him
like he is a pup, he is likely to become obese – putting
unnecessary strain on his heart, lungs, muscles and joints.
Consider
a senior diet. Ask your veterinarian if food formulated specifically
for the nutritional needs and lower activity level of senior dogs may
be appropriate for your pet. Senior diets are usually lower in
calories, protein and fat, and higher in fiber.
Make
sure food is highly palatable. Older dogs often have reduced senses
of taste and smell. If their food doesn’t smell and taste good,
they may not eat enough to stay healthy.
Avoid
fatty snacks. These may be difficult for an older dog to digest.
If you
have a medium or large dog, raise the food dish. Elevate your dog’s
food and water dishes by placing them on a low table or crate. This
will reduce stress on his neck and back when eating.
Ask
about supplements. Your veterinarian can tell you whether vitamin or
mineral supplements are needed at this stage of your older dog’s
life.
Final Days:-
For many
owners, it is important to be able to say goodbye to their dead or
dying pet. If it is necessary to carry out euthanasia, some owners
feel that they would like to stay with their pet while this is done.
This is preferable in the event of the mature dog facing a lot of
pain from its illness. Consult your vet, before taking this decision.
This will enable you to say goodbye and allows you to verify in your
own mind that he is actually dead.
You may
find it helpful to hold a simple memorial ceremony for your pet as
this can be an important way of helping children to come to terms
with the death and lets them know that they are not the only ones
feeling the loss. However, children should not be forced to attend
such a service if they do not wish to.
Allow
yourself to grieve. After the death of a pet, you are likely to
experience a whole range of emotions - going through shock,
disbelief, pain, anger, guilt, depression, anxiety, and finally,
acceptance, at which time recovery begins.
This is
quite natural and these feelings should not be suppressed. It is only
by allowing yourself to grieve that you will eventually come to terms
with the death and, with time, the sadness will fade.
As our
companions age, their needs can change dramatically. And like humans,
their bodies begin to wear out, their senses dim and they are more
susceptible to diseases; Please consult your veterinarian on proper
elder pet care.
Many
of the problems associated with old age are preventable with diet,
exercise and regular checkups. Regular veterinary exams may save your
pets life! Get more Check-ups. Keep vaccinations current and may help
catch and treat medical problems before they get out of control.
Take true care of your pets when they actually need it. Dont let them to be adandoned :( :(
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