Dogs Aging Issues Articles

If your dog is sneezing, coughing, or exhibits abnormal behavior that lasts for a short period of time but is not tied to a major disease, he might be suffering from allergies. Some allergies can be temporary, seasonal or even require a lifestyle change for your dog. With that said, many of your dog's discomfort from his allergic reactions can be alleviated. Be aware of the typical allergens, what can trigger a reaction, and what you can do prevent allergic attacks. Some of the most common allergies include airborne irritants, allergies to food ingredients, contact dermatitis and parasitic dermatitis (fleas). Get more details on each type of allergy, the do's and don’ts of treatment, and even home-made remedies below.

• Vestibular Disease

  Geriatric vestibular syndrome, which is also called peripheral vestibular syndrome and idiopathic vestibular syndrome, occurs for unknown reasons. It can be really frightening, especially in dogs that can't even lay still because they just roll over and over until something stops the movement. However, like your experience, it usually clears up within a few days and most dogs never have another recurrence.

• Urinary- Incontinence in Dogs

  There is a veterinary phenylpropanolamine product available called Proin (Rx), for the treatment of incontinence in dogs. This is not a new drug but was previously a human drug now removed from the market . The side effects phenylpropanolamine like high blood pressure problems reported in humans that caused the human product recall have not been shown to occur in pets. Phenylpropanolamine has been used for many years to successfully treat incontinence in dogs.

• Treatment Options For Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

  Hip dysplasia in dogs can vary in severity from mild irritation to crippling pain. While some breeds are more prone to hip dysplasia, it can occur in any dog at any age, including puppies as young as 5 months.

• Treating Geriatric Dogs with Vestibular Syndrome

  Geriatric dogs are most susceptible to the disorder known as Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome. Peripherial Vestibular Syndrome can also affect middle aged dogs as well. It is not a life-threatening condition, though it is sometimes linked to hypothyroidism.

• The Geriatric Dog

  Urine leakage when dogs are asleep is most commonly associated with incontinence but can occur due to disorders that increase the volume of urine, such as diabetes or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). Dogs do have a form of senility that is termed cognitive dysfunction, which is also the category of disorder that Alzheimer's disease is considered to fall under in humans.

• The 5 Most Common Senior Dog Health Problems

  Senior dog health problems can occur after the age of 8 to 10, and may be accompanied by behavioral changes. The most common health issues in senior dogs include arthritis, heart and dental diseases.

• Symptoms of the Most Serious Dog Health Problems

  It is important for all owners to be able to identify the symptoms that accompany dog health problems. Some of the most serious illnesses in canines can exhibit symptoms that may go unnoticed to the uneducated owner.

• Symptoms of Dog Dementia

  Dog dementia, or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, is a cognitive disorder in dogs associated with effects similar to those of Alzheimer's in humans. It is largely a result of old age; with time the brain begins to naturally accumulate beta amyloid, a protein found to damage nerves.

• Sudden Death in Dogs

  True sudden death (which seems to be what you are describing) is a fairly rare event in dogs. There are a number of reasons that this can occur and I probably won't think of all of them, but here is a partial list:

• Successful Treatment for Dog Constipation

  In an otherwise healthy animal, an occasional episode of dog constipation is not serious and can be treated at home.

• Spinal Disc - Spondylosis and Discospondylitis

  Tumors that affect the spinal cord may originate from the spinal cord itself, or they may arise from tissue around the spinal cord. It helps a great deal to know which is the case. It may not be possible for the surgeon to tell you this, immediately, but it should be possible to determine this from a biopsy sample taken at the time of surgery.

• Senior Dog Supplements

  Dog supplements are sometimes necessary for a senior dog since who may have nutritional needs. Supplements can help a dog’s old joints perform better and provide extra nutrients if he is not absorbing enough through his regular food or he is eating less.

• Senior Dog Problems

  Elderly canines have lower immunity and also develop a number of dog problems that are specific to old age. Behavioral changes may also occur. Being aware of these changes and the possible health problems will help you understand and prevent some of these conditions, when possible.

• Senior Dog Incontinence

  The senior dog is particularly prone to incontinence. As dogs get older, their bodies naturally produce fewer sex hormones. Decreases in reproductive hormone levels are thought to be responsible for most cases of dog incontinence.

• Senior Dog Health Tips

  A senior dog will suffer a few changes and will also be more prone to certain diseases. Slower movements, white hair, joint pain or reduced appetite are just a few signs that your dog is getting older.

• Senior Dog Care Tips

  Intentional senior dog care can help the older dog live a longer and healthier life. The health requirement for the aging dog differ from the physical needs of a younger dog.

• Recognizing Arthritis Symptoms in Dogs: 4 Warning Signs

  The arthritis symptoms dogs have vary by how far along their condition may be. If your dog has any of the following symptoms along with a high fever, he is in the advanced stages of arthritis. If you catch these 4 warning signs early, treatments can help lubricate his joints and regenerate his cartilage.

• Preventing Weight Gain in an Older Dog

  Preventing weight gain in an older dog doesn't have to be difficult. It simply takes at bit of observation and effort.

• Preventing and Managing Senior Dog Health Issues

  Dog health issues inevitably increase as your dog gets older. A large breed dog is often considered senior when he is only 8 or 9 years old while younger dogs usually aren't considered senior until they are 10 to 12.

• Photo Gallery - Trauma - Leg hold trap damage

  Photograph of front legs of Beagle. Both legs were caught in a leg hold trap

• Pet Loss - saying goodbye to old friends

  Handling pet loss and death; saying goodbye to dead cats and dogs.

• Pet Euthanasia Questions

  Pet euthanasia is one of the hardest decisions that pet owners face. Many people have misgivings and mixed feelings about euthanizing their pets. Here are some questions you should consider when deciding whether or not to euthanize a terminally ill pet.

• Orthopedic Disorders of Dogs

  Hip dysplasia is probably the most common cause of orthopedic problems in older Labs. Sometimes stifle (knee) problems contribute to the problem. Less commonly, spinal problems such as lumbosacral instability or disc problems are responsible for the muscle weakness.

• Older Dog Health Concerns and Treatments

  Owners of older dogs must cope with special challenges in keeping their pets healthy and happy. By remaining vigilant to signs and symptoms of aging, you will keep your dog by your side for as long as possible.

• Moving or Traveling with Your Dog

  The conclusion of the study's authors was that sedation leads to a decrease in oxygen utilization. Since the cargo hold is pressurized at an equivalent pressure to something like 8000 feet (so oxygen is decreased in the cargo hold atmosphere, compared to sea level), this presents a problem for pets with any other problem that interferes with oxygen utilization and makes them more likely to die during an airline flight.

• Motor or Motion Problems

  For a condition like this that is affecting primarily the rear limbs, a problem with an intervertebral disc, instability of the lumbo-sacral junction (cauda equina syndrome) or other spinal cord injury seems likely. The most reliable test for documenting these problems is an MRI, based on work done at Colorado State University and the University of Washington

• Melanoma and Melanocytoma

  Most dogs recover from surgical removal of these tumors very rapidly even when a large area of skin and underlying tissue is removed. Pain relief is available through several effective medications now, so post-operative pain can usually be controlled.

• Managing Weight Loss in an Older Dog

  Dog weight loss plans for an older dog can significantly improve his lifestyle and health. You should be able to feel the ribs of your dog, and see some kind of waist, if your dog is at a healthy weight.

• Managing Dog Dementia With Anipryl

  Dog dementia can be managed with medication intended for human use, provided that the FDA certifies it as safe. The research data obtained by studying human neurodegenerative diseases is also applicable in aging dogs.

• Male Incontinence in Dogs

  Male incontinence in dogs is more common in senior or neutered canines.

• Lumps, Bumps, cysts, tags and odd skin growths in Dogs

  It sounds like you are describing a skin tag, also sometimes called fibropapillomas, skin polyps, fibrin tags or achrochordons. These are benign growths that are not cancerous. They can be confused with some forms of cancer, most notably keratoacanthomas (benign) and melanomas (often malignant).

• Initial Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

  Hip dysplasia in dogs is a common disease in large breeds and older dogs, but can also be found in dogs of any age and breed, though it's very rare in small breeds.

• How Long Do Dogs Live?

  How long do dogs live is a common question. The answer requires you to consider many factors, which include breed mix and size, and environmental influences.

• How Dog Aging is Affected by Size and Weight

  Dog aging is affected by its genetics, size and weight. Body frame and size directly relates to rate of aging.

• Home Care Tips for Managing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

  Canine cognitive dysfunction, or canine dementia, is an illness much like Alzheimer's disease in humans. It affects your dog's cognitive abilities and may lead to a range of behavioral changes.

• Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

  Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint). These changes may occur due to excessive laxity in the hip joint.

• Healthy Dog - Normal Values

  The "ideal" weight for a dog is approximately the weight where the last 3 to 5 ribs are just barely visible or can be felt with a very light touch. Many dogs are overweight and many dog owners feel their dog is too thin if they can see any ribs.

• Head Tremoring

  There is a problem in English bulldogs with head tremors which appear suddenly, last several minutes and then go away. Usually this will be an intermittent problem. I am not sure whether this is a focal seizure disorder or if it is some other problem.

• Geriatric Dog Behavior Problems

  Geriatric dog behavior is often caused by health problems. As your dog ages, he will experience behavior changes that may be as simple as reduced energy, but also may seem like a resurgence of your dog's puppy days.

• Frequently Occurring Health Problems in Senior Dogs

  Health problems in senior dogs vary based on size. Life expectancy also varies among breeds with small breeds living longer than larger breeds.

• Frequently Asked Senior Dog Health Questions

  Senior dog health is a concern that most dog owners will have when their dog reaches a senior stage. Caring for puppies and young adult dogs is important; however you must remember that your dog's needs will change as he ages.

• Food for Older Dogs

  Older dogs may need a different type of diet to maintain their health and have a better quality, longer life. The type of diet may vary according to each dog's health, size, activity level or breed.

• Fecal or Bowel Incontinence

  I asked the staff about its medical condition and was told she had no anal tone. Her lack of anal tone causes her to have fecal incontinence. My question is, can this be medically or surgically treated? I am going to call my vet tomorrow and ask her but I would like a second opinion.

• Eye Problems and Disorders of Dogs

  The cornea is the clear portion of the eye. In order to be clear, it has to be very specialized. It can't contain blood vessels, for instance --- because then it would be red or the vessels would at least be visible in it.

• Euthanasia

  Thiobarbiturates have three effects that can induce death. They are fairly potent depressives of the central nervous system activity in the brain stem, which leads to depression of all bodily functions controlled by the brain stem. This action is responsible for the loss of conciousness associated with barbiturates in adequate doses.

• Dog Years: Determining Your Canine’s Real Age

  A common calculation used to determine a dog's age is that dog years are equivalent to 7 human years. While a common belief, it's not accurate. Dogs mature very quickly in their first 2 years.

• Dog Supplement Guide: What You Need To Know

  A dog nutritional supplement could greatly benefit your dog's health. Vitamin and mineral supplements help maintain your dog's circulatory, respiratory, reproductive, digestive and immune systems. Supplements are available in liquid and tablet form to make administering them easy.

• Dog Incontinence: Its Causes and How You Can Cope

  Dog incontinence happens when urine leaks uncontrollably from your dog's bladder. Dog incontinence usually occurs while the dog is sleeping or resting. An incontinent dog may begin licking its genitals more frequently.

• Dog Euthanasia: Making the Difficult Decision

  Euthanasia for a sick, injured dog or old dog is intended to end prolonged and intractable suffering with no hope of recovery. Dog euthanasia is a medical procedure whereby a dog is "put to sleep" using anesthesia.

• Dog Cataracts: Understanding the Different Types, Causes and Treatment

  Dog cataracts are so common that they can be found in all ages and breeds. Dog cataracts are found in the lens of the eye.

• Does Dog Age Warrant a Change in Diet?

  At every dog age, getting the proper dog nutrition is crucial to your dog's overall health and well-being. Below are some questions to consider if you are thinking about making a change to your dog's diet.

• Diagnosing Canine Dementia

  Canine dementia is an illness similar to Alzheimer's Disease that can affect your senior dog. Until recently, many of the symptoms of canine dementia were simply attributed to old age, but MRIs show that dogs with dementia have brain lesions similar to those on humans with Alzheimer's disease.

• Deafness in Dogs and Associated Problems

  Hearing loss is extremely hard to evaluate in dogs. Some dogs with allergies that affect the middle ear and close off the eustachian tube are reported to have diminished hearing that improves with the use of corticosteroids or antihistamines to control the ear inflammation. It is possible, in many instances, with extreme dedication, to provide behavioral and/or medical therapy that helps control the aggression.

• Cushing’s Disease page 2

  Hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s disease, is caused by either a pituitary brain tumor or an adrenal gland tumor in almost all cases. There may be a small percentage of dogs who have Cushing’s disease due to overstimulation of the pituitary gland by the hypothalamus but this is not a certainty at this time.

• Coughing in Dogs

  The most common causes of coughing in older small dogs are probably heart disease and collapsing trachea problems. Sometimes there are other problems, such as cancer or pneumonia. Cushing's disease can contribute to heart problems and could cause coughing to develop in that manner.

• Common Treatments for Cataracts in Dogs

  You can find cataracts in dogs of all ages, and there are many causes and reasons for cataracts. Some dogs are born with cataracts because of a hereditary condition, while others develop cataracts as a secondary disease to such diseases as diabetes.

• Common Aging Dog Symptoms

  An aging dog will present a wide range of symptoms that will indicate you need to pay more attention to his health and offer more care. The dog will display physical changes starting from coat color to behavioral changes.

• Cataracts in Dogs

• Cataract Surgery

  The conditions your dog should be in before considering and undergoing cataract or eye surgery.

• Caring for an Old Dog

  An old dog will go through a number of changes and may be more vulnerable to diseases; there are also a number of diseases that are specific to old age. Your pet needs more attention and possibly a different diet.

• Carcinomas in Dogs

  Squamous cell carcinoma affecting the tonsils is a very aggressive cancer. Cancer treatment changes faster than almost any other area of veterinary medicine and it is possible that there have been major improvements in radiation or chemotherapy that I am not even aware of.

• Canine Kidney Disease Treatment Options

  Before you can treat canine kidney disease, you will need to find out what caused it. When the problem is extreme, your dog will have urgent signs that come on suddenly.

• Canine Hip Dysplasia Treatment for Senior Dogs

  Canine hip dysplasia treatment consists of surgical and non-surgical remedies. Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease that is primarily inherited through genetics. Rapid growth and weight gain may exacerbate the disease. Dogs may be asymptomatic at birth but develop the disease as they mature. The main signs of hip dysplasia are lameness, a "bunny-hop" gait, and crying out when joints hurt.

• Canine Geriatric Vestibular Disease Symptoms

  Vestibular disease in dogs is rare, but may be a devastating condition. The vestibular system is in charge of coordinating the dog’s movement and allows him to keep his balance and not get dizzy even after circling the room several times.

• Canine Cushing’s Disease: A Common Disease in Older Dogs

  Canine Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) affects the pituitary and causes it to produce too much glucocorticoid. Canine Cushing's disease is common in older dogs and has a wide range of symptoms.

• Canine cognitive dysfunction, Societal disassociative disorder and other cognitive dysfunction

  The most common causes of behavioral changes in which there is increased aggression around food and an increased appetite are probably the hormonal diseases, especially hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). Other possibilities include hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus.

• Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Explained

  Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome occurs in some dogs as they reach the final third of their life. It's caused by physical and chemical changes in the brain of older dogs and results in a decline of the dog's cognitive abilities.

• Canine Aging: 7 Older Dog Health Questions

  If you have an elderly dog, you may have certain dog health questions. Canine aging is not a pleasant subject, but if you know what to expect you can deal with all the health problems that may occur in your pet or try to prevent them.

• Cancer and Tumors in Dogs

  Technically, a tumor is just a swelling which may or may not be a cancer. Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth which can be benign (not invasive and does not spread) or malignant (usually invasive into surrounding tissue and capable of spreading to other areas of the body)

• Cancer and Tumors - Mast Cell Tumors

  Tumors are classified in two ways. Staging is a way of classifying how far a malignant tumor has spread prior to diagnosis. Grading is a way for the pathologist to give his or her impression of how aggressive a tumor is likely to be (how likely it is to try to spread to other tissues).

• Behavioral Changes In Dogs

  This sort of change can occur with physical problems (sight problems especially can lead to odd behavior changes related to going out or staying in) and a good physical exam is always a good idea when behaviors change. If nothing is found then it may take careful review of the history of the problem to figure out what the causes might be. Your vet may be able to refer you to a behavioral expert in your area if you are fortunate enough to live near one.

• A Guide to Weaning Puppies

  Weaning puppies refers to the process of puppies learning to depend on solid food rather than mother's milk for primary nourishment. This occurs naturally in the wild, but it may take several months.

• 5 Danger Signs in the Geriatric Dog

  A geriatric dog will have more needs and care requirements than younger, more active dogs. It is important to address potential health problems in older dogs before they occur.

• 5 Best Exercises for Old Dogs

  Old dogs can still play like puppies. Don't give up on exercise and games just because you have an older dog. A regimen of regular exercise will keep your dog fit and healthy.

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