Senior Dog Health Problems

Ignoring your dog's teeth can lead not only to gum disease and tooth loss but also to infection. Brush his teeth daily with toothpaste from your vet, and watch for swollen or red gums that appear unhealthy. You might need to have decaying teeth pulled under anesthesia or get them professionally cleaned. Brushing and treats designed to clean his teeth can help.

Behavior changes in ordinarily good-natured dogs can indicate physical problems. When hearing, vision, and sense of smell decrease, your dog could react unexpectedly to familiar situations. He might be startled when approached from behind because his hearing is impaired or snap at a child who leans on him because it causes physical pain. Geriatric dogs have shown signs of separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, restlessness at night, confusion, and difficulty adjusting to changes even if they never did in younger years.

Older dogs can develop different forms of cancer. Be vigilant for purple or black spots that can indicate melanoma, sores that won't heal, or sudden new growths. Some cancers are harder to diagnose because symptoms appear later. Weight loss and blood in the urine or stool should be investigated. Treatment is available, depending on how advanced the disease is. Many dogs adjust surprisingly well and have gained years by having a leg amputated when necessary.

Dogs that have never urinated indoors might have accidents as they age. Housebroken dogs soil their living area, not by choice but because of medical changes. Your dog might display signs of depression at his unexpected loss of control. Instead of blaming him, understand that it concerns him as much as it does you. If your dog becomes incontinent or urinates more frequently, tell your vet so he can prescribe medication to help.

Watch your dog carefully for changes. Aging might require diet adjustment to control weight. Ear infections become more frequent, and hip dysplasia is common in large dogs. Watch for coughing and shortness of breath that might indicate heart disease. Brushing his hair will keep his coat healthy. Keeping your dog comfortable will ease his transition as he ages and ensure medical problems are caught early.