HEALTH CHECKS IN OLDER DOGS
Old age is not a disease
Dog breeds mature at different ages; giant breeds can be considered ‘old’ at the age of 4 years, small breeds by 10 years of age. Therefore in dogs the age at which we recommend screening checks will vary. Our vets can discuss this with you.
Some health issues are treatable Often a problem which you suspect is due to the advancing age of your pet may actually be the result of a treatable medical condition.
- A dog that has ‘slowed down’ may be suffering from arthritis, heart disease or cognitive dysfunction (‘dementia’). - Weight loss and a pickier appetite may be an early sign of liver or kidney disease or dental pain. - Various medical conditions can cause or increase the likelihood of urinary ‘accidents’ in the house.
Changes to Physiology
As your dog ages, there are changes to their physiology, behaviour and vulnerability to illnesses. These include:
- Arthritis - Dental disease - Heart Disease - ‘Lumps and bumps’ - Diabetes - Cognitive dysfunction (‘dementia’) - Urinary incontinence - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Cancer Many of these conditions do not show symptoms early in their course and at this stage are only identifiable through testing. They are however likely to be progressive. The earlier a problem is detected the better it can be managed, improving longevity and quality of life for your dog. Many common conditions can be diagnosed with a clinical exam and laboratory screening therefore regular health checks are advisable. These could be combined with your annual vaccinations. If you feel that your dog is actually showing signs of ageing or any symptoms of a problem, we would particularly recommend booking an appointment. We offer a “Wellness Package” which decreases the cost of initial screening tests. For more information please ask. Dietary considerations With ageing, the nutritional requirements of your dog may change. We have various diets designed for the older dog as well as for specific problems such as obesity, joint pain or dental disease.
We know living aboard can be difficult especially when it comes to movine your pets. But we also know they are part of the family, and can't be left behind. We'll help move them from here to there.