How to Care for Your Older Dog
Do you love your dog? If you do, make sure to have them checked by a veterinarian regularly. However, you might be one of those people who have old dogs. If you do, then more special care is needed. Be sure that aside from the regular checkups, you also observe your dog from time to time. They might have a serious disease lurking inside their bodies. Here are some warning signs you need to pay a lot of attention to:
Case 1
Your dog drinks and urinates too much. In addition, there is extreme weight loss. If this is the case, then your dog might have some problems with his kidneys or pancreas. It might also be an indicator of diabetes.
Case 2
You see an uncontrolled urination especially in spayed females. This might be hormonal imbalance.
Case 3
Your dog is stiff and lame all over, especially after waking up. A possible reason might be arthritis.
Case 4
There is frequent coughing, difficulty in breathing. Your dog also has moments of fatigue. This can be an indication of a heart or lung condition.
Case 5
When you look at your dog’s eyes, there is a hazy, white appearance to the eyes. This is probably an eye problem, especially cataracts.
Case 6
Consistent bad breath, and difficulty eating heavy and hard-to-digest food. This is probably due to sore gums and loose teeth.
Case 7
When you touch your dog, you notice some small and large lumps on his skin. This is a sign of a possible tumor or cyst.
If you see these signs, make sure that you discuss it with a veterinarian. Remember: An ounce of prevention is more than a pound of cure.
Aside from observing, take some steps to maintaining and improving your dog’s health. Here are some things you need to include in your dog’s itinerary:
First, an exercise plan. Your dog needs to move, just as we all need to move. If you allow your dog to become a slob, chances are, he might become a candidate for cardiac problems, athritis and diabetes in the future. Make sure to discuss with your veterinarian a suitable fitness regime for your dog.
Second, a diet and nutrition plan. The nutritional needs of dogs vary from one breed to another and from one age to the next. But in all cases, proper nutrition is one of the most important things you can do to assure your dog’s health and wellbeing. This is also true for old dogs. Make sure that they are taking supplements that are right for their age group.
Your dog deserves care and attention especially during old age. Make sure that he gets the kind of love that he has been giving you all his life.
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