Dog Guide

• • Dental Care
  • Finding a lost pet
  • Get in tune with your dog
  • Getting into good habits
  • Health issues in older dogs
  • Leader of the pack
  • Neutering in dogs - the facts
  • Walkies
  • Cope with seperation

It's a sad fact that as your pet gets older he is likely to be more prone to health problems. However, it's not too late to think about pet insurance, many companies are happy to insure older dogs.

Your routine should now include checking his coat for lumps and bumps (occasionally these can be cancerous) and increasing the regularity of his routine check ups at the vets.

Common conditions in older dogs include stiffening of the joints. The vet can prescribe various drugs for this and some recommend supplements including glucosamine and chondroitin. Deafness can be another problem, compensate for this by training him to react to hand signals.

As he is less active, keep an eye on his weight and adjust his diet accordingly. He may also suffer from late onset diabetes. Look out for increased drinking or weight loss. This condition can be controlled through diet and insulin injections.

Older dogs can lose bladder control particularly while sleeping or lying down. If this becomes a major issue, your vet can prescribe medication that will increasethe muscle tone and help control.

Loss of vision is another common condition in older pets. Bumping into things or slowing down on walks can be an indicator. Many vets will refer you to a specialist who may operate on conditions such as cataracts.