COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN SENIOR DOGS

 

Beginning at around age 7, your dog enters his senior years. Often dogs begin to develop many of the diseases that are commonly seen in senior humans such as diabetes, heart disease, endocrine disease, and cancer. As with us, these diseases often go undetected in their early stages; therefore, preventative health care is very important.

 

If left undetected, many diseases can put your dog at risk. The best approach for your senior pet includes preventative diagnostics such as:

     Establishing baseline blood work

     Identifying existing health problems

     Monitoring process during treatment

 

Wheatens need regular grooming and that time together can alert you to many changes in his skin and health. You can, in turn, alert your vet to these changes as they occur.

 

 

DENTAL Periodontal disease, gingivitis and cancer are common                senior diseases. Common signs of these are bad breath, redness in gums, swollen gums, or a mass.

 

LIVER Common in older dogs are inflammatory, degenerative and cancerous liver disease. Signs to look for are decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased thirst/urination.

 

KIDNEY   Diseases to look for are kidney failure, kidney stones, kidney infection, kidney insufficiency. Signs are increased thirst/urination, decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or back pain.

 

HEART AND LUNGS  Concerns in older dogs are cardiac disease, pneumonia, bronchitis, and emphysema. Things to look for in your dog are decreased stamina, coughing, difficulty breathing, weight loss, or a  pot belly.

 

JOINTS Many older dogs suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or back disease. Watch for lameness, reluctance to walk or exercise, decreased appetite, or discomfort/pain.