What to Expect As Your Dog Ages

Changes often happen gradually, but there are ways to recognize and ease them.

By Susan Easterly

Cafall a Shar-Pei mixed breed with a graying muzzle, isn't quite as limber as he used to be, but he doesn't "talk" about it. "If older dogs have a hard time getting up in the morning, they won't complain," says Richard Goldstein, DVM, assistant professor of small animal medicine at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "They just continue to lie down or get tipvery slowly, whereas a person with similarly painful symptoms will seek medical attention."

An awareness of subtle changes in your pet can be a blessing for your older dog. "For dogs with arthritis, for example, certain kinds of nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications have been approved for long-term use in dogs, and when used properly are quite safe and make them feel much better," says Dr. Goldstein, who is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. "It's amazing that when you treat older dogs for chronic pain, all of a sudden they look three or four years younger than they are," he adds.

ICH Julian Modrovous and CH Cassandra Kerrydom
Quiet evening...

Zuzana Szovenyiova, Slovakia, Kerrydom Court

Pain Relievers Are Important

Providing relief for chronic pain is just one of the many things you can do to make your older dog more comfortable. The trick is to know what to expect and the signs to look for as your dog ages. Old age is not a disease or a diagnosis, Dr. Goldstein emphasizes. "Our goal is to recognize the changes that occur with age; we try to make dogs more comfortable by adapting our care and their surroundings to the changes they experience," he says.

Dogs generally enjoy longer lives today because they are viewed as family members, live indoors and receive better care than they did 20 years ago, he notes. While the life span of a dog tends to be affected by breed and size (for example, a six- or seven-year-old great Dane might be considered the geriatric equivalent of a 12-year-old miniature poodle), strides in pet nutrition and veterinary preventive medicine greatly contribute to canine health and longevity.

As dogs live longer, however, it becomes even more important to pay attention to what is normal for them, says Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, who is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and directs the Animal Behavior Clinic at the Cornell Hospital for Animals. While many dogs remain healthy throughout their lives, advanced age increases the odds of their contracting an illness or disease, just as it does for people. Don't assume that a
physical or behavioral change means your dog is "just getting old."

Changes associated with canine aging usually occur gradually, and commonly include one or more of the following:

Sensory loss. Sight and hearing can weaken with age and may make your older dog less responsive to you. Don't assume your dog is ignoring you; he may not hear or see you at first. To help you both adjust to the challenges of canine aging, try using hand signals or body language to communicate with your pet. For example, Dr. Houpt stamps to get her 14 year-old dog's attention. "Nini often doesn't hear me, but she feels the vibrations through the floor," she explains.

Less active lifestyle,- stiffness. Bone thinning and loss of muscle mass are part of the aging process, but a common culprit in this category is arthritis, which often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Your dog may seem less interested in playing or walks, and may have difficulty rising from a prone position. Regular, moderate exercise is very beneficial for your older dog, Dr. Goldstein stresses. Encourage your dog to take gentle walks or swim - some veterinary clinics now offer canine underwater treadmills and whirlpool baths. Seek veterinary treatment for chronic arthritis pain.

Weight gain. A dog may gain weight as his metabolism and activity levels slow down. "Unlike people, we don't see a lot of coronary or other vascular disease in dogs, but everything else associated with being overweight - such as diabetes -
does happen to them," Dr. Goldstein notes. "It's important to give older dogs fewer calories as they become less active." Diets geared to older dogs have larger amounts of fiber or other properties that give them a sense of satiety without excessive calories. Be sure to discuss your dog's diet with your veterinarian. Note: A dog in good body condition without a weight or' behavioral problem does not need a senior diet.

Excessive urination. Declining kidney function, among many other medical problems, can cause an older dog to urinate more often or in the wrong place, so be sure to have your veterinarian rule out all possible physical reasons, Dr. Houpt advises. An older dog may require more frequent daytime and evening bathroom breaks. Short outings can help, especially before bedtime.

Cognitive dysfunction. An older dog that urinates in the house may have an underlying health problem, or he may simply forget to go outside. Just as in people, some senior dogs will suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease-like signs, which results in impaired mental function or senility. Signs may include disorientation, pacing, vocalization and altered sleep cycles. Special diets that contain vitamin E, beta-carotene and antioxidants are available that can help treat
this condition, Dr. Houpt says. Your veterinarian can devise a course of management that may include an antioxidant diet, exercise, and drug treatment.

Dickens at 11.

Anne Corke, Canada

To maintain good health and catch problems early, more veterinarians now offer geriatric exams - every six months or yearly that are taking the place of the annual vaccine visit, Dr. Goldstein says. A geriatric exam will typically consist of a thorough discussion of your dog's health history and a physical exam that includes blood work, a urine test and a chest X-ray.

Just as people over the ages of 50 or 60 should incorporate preventive health-care to stay healthy, taking proper care of older pets makes sense too, he says. "And from a financial perspective, it is much better to practice preventive medicine than to try to treat problems when they are advanced," he adds.

Good medicine comes in many forms, of course. Gentle massage, for instance, can soothe and relax your pet. Providing easy access to hard-to-reach places, along with a warm, cushioned sleeping area, can make your older dog more comfortable. Finally, environmental enrichment can add excitement and incentive to your dog's day. "I try to take my dog to a new place to sniff every week," Dr. Houpt says. "Nini can't see or hear very well, but her nose is still in great
shape!"

Perhaps the best medicine of all, though, is simply being there for your dog. "Older dogs like consistent lifestyles and may seek more attention," Dr. Goldstein says. "They want to sit in the living room in front of the fire with you, and enjoy the proximity and attention of their human family," he concludes.

Tune in to Warning Signs

Watch for signs of health problems and/or diseases that occur more commonly as dogs age:

Increased thirst and drinking
Changes in appetite, defecation or urination
Weight loss
Coughing, excessive panting, difficulty breathing
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Swellings, lumps or sores that don't heal
Sudden or gradual changes in behavior