"The oldest dog on record lived 29 years." I stole this statistic from the November 2002 issue of Dogwatch, the newsletter from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The average dog's life span is much shorter than the record. Boxers, pug dogs, wolfhounds, and several mastiff breeds rarely live past eight or nine years. Unlike humans, in most cases, older dogs do not act their ages until they become geriatric.

Aging affects our best friends in many ways. Arthritis in varying degrees restricts mobility; obesity works on the cardiovascular system as well as other functions; the immune system can become less competent; the endocrine system sees hormonal changes that cause disease; tumors, skin tags, growths and fatty deposits appear almost overnight.

Behavioral changes usually are brought on by the nervous system as the chemical levels begin to vary in the neurotransmitters. Some of the more common observations are increased sleep, wandering, inappropriate elimination, disorientation, memory and learning deficits.

The veterinarian can address many of the diseases and problems associated with aging.

When one senior citizen stayed at the Chateau in the spring, we noticed a slight bluish clouding in her eyes. When she came back to us in August, her eyes were practically white with the cloudiness and she was almost totally blind.

A veterinarian's blood test confirmed his diagnosis the dog was diabetic. Her blindness (caused by the diabetes) could not be reversed, but the diabetes could be controlled through insulin injections and diet.

Healthy senior citizens can stay healthy longer if we follow simple rules. Diet should be stable; nowadays there are senior dog foods that are designed for the twilight years. Do the rib test - lightly press your finger into the dog's side. If you find individual ribs, your dog's weight is normal; a pretty solid layer (of fat) indicates an overweight canine.

At the other extreme, if we can see ribs, the dog probably is underweight, which in many cases can be a good thing. If arthritis or dysplasia is a concern, less body weight makes getting up and down easier.

Glucosamine and chondroitin can help lubricate the joints, and some of the better senior foods already contain them. Supplementation should be done only with a veterinarian's blessing.

Cancer is a concern for dogs as much as it is for humans. Both benign and malignant tumors are more common among the geriatrics. Although the presence of a lump is cause for awareness, other signs of cancer include weight loss, appetite loss, lethargy, dizziness, eating or breathing problems, pain and changes in elimination.

A common error in thinking is that we should cater to our seniors' lower activity levels. I watched a regular golden retriever client become radically more sedentary when he was not taken outside to play.

After I restimulated his interest in fetching the ball, he was much more full of life; his attitude and his eating habits suddenly increased. Retrieving had been his life's work, so the renewed exercise stimulated his brain and muscles.

Obviously, retirement, as we know it, is not a good option for senior canines.

As the dog becomes a senior citizen, make him or her a little more comfortable, but continue the dog's customary routines until the quality of life and the physical signs tell you the dog is becoming geriatric. Then talk with your vet about increasing the annual check-ups to semi-annual visits.

Even with the best of care, your dog probably will not live 29 years, but with good care, he or she will live a full and happy life.

Source: Bradenton Herald.

January 2003 News Article Index

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