Your E-mail:
Get the latest news, tips and
free advice every month
Cast Your Vote
Do your summer vacation plans include your dog?
Local Guides



Printer Friendly Bookmark and Share

On the Offense for Senior Dogs

Four proactive dog care strategies to implement now.

Jon Geller, DVM

Page 2 of 2

4. Work with your veterinarian on preventive healthcare
Annual or semi-annual exams and consultations with your veterinarian will help prevent and detect senior-specific health problems. A thorough physical examination can identify abnormalities of the skin, teeth, heart, lungs, and other body systems. If you find a lump or bump between exams, however, don't wait for your dog's next appointment; the bump may be cancerous.

When scheduling a routine exam, ask for additional time to consult your veterinarian about your senior dog's health issues. Ask how to stay alert to signs of such typical behavioral issues as separation anxiety and phobias, as well as canine Alzheimer's disease, also known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Discuss quality-of-life issues related to the progression of chronic diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, or congestive heart failure.

If your senior dog care requires any long-term medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis, thyroid medication, or phenobarbitol for seizures, ask your veterinarian about possible long-term side effects. He or she can perform blood tests to check for an effective, nontoxic medication level.

Ask for annual blood and urine panels starting when your dog is 8 to 10 years old. This can help with early detection of such conditions as kidney failure, diabetes, thyroid disease, and other hormonal disorders.

Jon Geller, DVM, responds to veterinary questions in his
Ask the Vet column.

- Get More Senior Dog Tips -

Page 1 | 2

Posted: Fri Jul 2 00:00:00 PDT 2004

 Give us your opinion on
On the Offense for Senior Dogs

Submit a Comment   Join Club
Earn 1,000 points! What's this?
Reader Comments
good article, thanks
janet, bethlehem, PR
Posted: 1/10/2012 4:20:05 AM
Very good advice. My girl is going on 17 and you would never, ever know it. I've been doing all of the above since she became a senior and its paid off in spades. A good offense is the best defense. :)
Diane, Fuquay Varina, NC
Posted: 11/3/2009 10:20:00 PM
We have a senior dog - age 14 - and I am glad to see articles especially for our older pals. Before this dog, we had one that was 17, one that was 18, and one that was 15 - all adopted dogs that needed a home!
Catol, Barymer, MO
Posted: 11/3/2007 5:46:51 PM
View Current Comments

Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email:

Australian Shepherds
Buy Now
Border Collies
Buy Now
Dog Bible
Buy Now
Become a fan of DogChannel on Facebook Follow DogChannel on Twitter Follow DogChannel on Google+ Follow DogChannel with RSS
Get social and connect with DogChannel.



Hi my name's maggie-mae

Visit the Photo Gallery to
cast your vote!