The Aging Dog
Geriatric Problems
DCI
You'll notice small, telltale signs of your dog's aging as time goes by. His eyesight and hearing may not be as sharp as when he was a rambunctious puppy. He'll tire more easily, be breathless on occasion and may limp a bit in the morning. All this is natural, and neither you nor your vet will be able to turn back the clock. If the dog is experiencing pain, however, a vet can prescribe something to help. Happily, several age-related illnesses can be treated, if caught in time, so don't assume that every change in your dog's health is inevitable and natural. Many vets keep an eye open for the so-called "big five" age-onset illnesses:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
A yearly series of "geriatric screening" tests — including liver, kidney, protein and blood sugar checks — beginning when your dog is 6 years old, will help your vet catch any problems before they become unmanageable. Blood tests can often catch diabetes and kidney and liver disease before there are even any symptoms. A stethoscope, electrocardiogram or X-rays can help your vet check for heart disease, and simply checking your dog for lumps is the standard first route to detecting cancer.
Although most types of heart disease can't be prevented, they can often be controlled with drugs, diet, nutritional supplement and exercise. Symptoms to watch for include excessive panting, coughing and fainting. Diabetes can also be controlled with drugs, diet and exercise. Symptoms of diabetes include diminished eyesight and a change in eye appearance and color.
Loss of appetite, depression and increased volume and frequency of urination and voiding may be signs of kidney failure. Results from blood and urine tests, sometimes X-rays or a ultrasound test, and possibly a biopsy or exploratory surgery can help your vet determine the treatment plan.
If your dog is suffering from liver disease, the whites of his eyes may be yellow, his urine may be darker and he'll be weak and lethargic. He may also eat less and drink more. To diagnose liver problems, your vet will need to do a complete medical work-up.
Biopsies from lumps and tumors will determine whether or not they are malignant. Some of these come simply as a result of age. If it's cancer, your vet will most likely remove the lump and/or local lymph nodes, or may start a course of radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. But you and your vet need to decide together whether the treatment and degree of improvement to your dog's quality of life is worth the stress he may undergo.
Arthritis and other joint inflammations may be a normal part of growing old, but the pain and soreness can be controlled with vet-prescribed medication. Don't take it upon yourself to medicate your dog. Aspirin and other drugs that can relieve these symptoms in humans can irritate a dog's stomach and lead to ulcers in the intestines or kidney disease.
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