The diseases of the old dog
Heart disease is probably one of the biggest and most worrisome. As with humans, the old dog is very often affected by heart problems. We are talking, in particular, of valvular diseases. The valves are small valves in the heart supposed to ensure the rhythmic passage from one compartment of the heart to another. When these valves no longer work properly, blood escapes when they should be closed. This is when the heart murmur appears (it is the sound of leaking blood).
Gradually heart failure sets in: the remodeled heart (its structure changes) no longer sends blood well to the rest of the body and more or less serious symptoms occur. The old cardiac dog coughs more often, gets tired quickly and runs out of breath with the slightest effort. Lung edema may set in making breathing very difficult. In some it is a vital emergency in the old dog.
The eyes of the old dog can change color and in particular they can “whiten”. It is the lens that loses its transparent structure. He can lose his sight and it is often in the case in the cataract of the dog, or not and there we speak of sclerosis of the lens.
Dogs’ joints often cause them pain due to osteoarthritis.
Tumors are much more common in older dogs, which is why your veterinarian will often discuss them as a potential cause of abnormal symptoms in older dogs. Mammary tumors often appear in unspayed or late-spayed dogs.
These breast tumors are cancerous in half of the cases. You can regularly monitor your female dog’s udders to detect mammary tumors very early. The sooner they are removed the less of a consequence.
Respiratory diseases: as they age, the airways of older dogs thicken, become hard and lose their flexibility. They are less functional and that is why many older dogs suffer from chronic bronchitis.
Diseases related to the reproductive system such as prostate diseases in dogs. Canine prostatic syndrome includes difficulty walking and bowel movements, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever in older unneutered male dogs. It can appear during benign prostatic hyperplasia but also in the event of a cyst, tumor or abscess thereof.
Behavioral changes are linked to an aging of the dog’s brain but also to pain linked to osteoarthritis, deafness or blindness. The dog unlearns what he had acquired in youth such as orders but also for example the meaning of the opening of doors. We sometimes have the impression that he reverts to childhood, plays non-stop, carries everything he finds in his mouth. He is sometimes completely disoriented, confuses day and night, barks for no reason… He can develop sleep disorders.
Finally, he may also show unusual aggressiveness because he is surprised more easily (if he is deaf or blind) or because he has become less tolerant to solicitations (we speak of aggressiveness through irritation). In very advanced cases of brain degeneration the dog may exhibit repetitive behaviors such as pushing the wall or eating dirt.
What follow-up for the old dog?
This involves regularly visiting your veterinarian to prevent the onset of heart, kidney or liver disease through blood tests and a complete clinical examination. The dog is considered senior from 7 years old. Large dogs age faster than small dogs which can live a very long time.
If your veterinarian detects an abnormal change, he can intervene very early and slow down the evolution of the diagnosed disease.
What prevention for the affections of the old dog?
To prevent diseases related to the reproductive system it is advisable to sterilize very young dogs and bitches (see the article on the castration of the dog).
To avoid forgetting or accidental peeing in the house, it must be taken out more often than before, older dogs have more difficulty in restraining themselves. If the dog used to go out alone to urinate, install ramps towards the exits and cover the slippery floors with non-slip materials when necessary so that he does not have any apprehension about going out if he has osteoarthritis. Instead, you should use a diaper for the incontinent dog.
A stable environment is essential for the dog who has lost his sight. He’s able to remember where the furniture is to avoid bumping into each other, so it’s best to avoid moving it. Likewise, a stable environment is reassuring for disoriented dogs.
As soon as the dog reaches the age of 7 you can distribute a food intended for senior dogs to improve the prevention of the onset of diseases in older dogs.
