Canine Health Information

Canine Health Information - For Older Dogs

Old age health care in dogs is a relatively new concept. Improvements in canine medical care, as well as an increase in our knowledge about how to take care of our pets, has lengthened the average canine lifespan. With a dog's average lifespan now twelve years, owners can reasonably expect their pets to be around for up to fifteen years. To ensure your dog has a long and happy life, there are a number of things you should know about caring for an older animal.

If you have a large dog, they may be considered old at around six to eight years. If your dog is a smaller breed they will not reach old age until around twelve years. Either way, there are a number of diseases that older dogs are more susceptible to. These include diabetes, cancerous tumors, kidney, heart or liver disease, cataracts and tooth and gum conditions.

You should plan frequent visits to your veterinarian once your dog reaches old age; regular blood tests can detect a lot of the above conditions in their early stages. Yearly appointments are essential, and some veterinarians may recommend a check up every six months.

In addition, you should look out for worrying symptoms of these conditions yourself. Contact your veterinarian if you notice rapid weight loss or gain, an unusual loss of appetite, excessive diarrhea or vomiting, extreme thirst and an increase in urine output, coughing and wheezing, a rapid decline in hearing or vision, or acute fatigue.

Changes in behavior can be indicators of medical problems that only you will be able to spot. If your dog suddenly dislikes being alone, becomes unusually aggressive and barks loudly for no reason, seems confused and disorientated, or begins to urinate in the house, you should also seek medical advice.

There is one disease that is common in older dogs that does not have any of the warning signs listed above. This is known as Cushing's disease, although its correct name is Hyperadrenocorticism, and is caused by excessive production of hormones from the adrenal glands.

Signs of Cushing's disease are similar to those of old age and are often missed. They include muscle weakness, hair loss, lumpy skin, a bloated stomach, high blood pressure, and an increase in food intake, liquid intake and urine output.

There is no cure for Cushing's disease but several drugs such as Lysodren, Ketoconazoten and Anipryl relieve symptoms and will enable your dog to live a long and happy life. Left untreated, this condition can lead to all manner of other problems such as diabetes, heart disease and liver or kidney failure.

As well as looking out for symptoms of illness, you can improve your old dog's quality of life by giving them the best possible diet. Switch to a food designed specifically for seniors to ensure they get all the nutrition they need. Consult your vet to see if your dog has particular dietary requirements according to their medical state. Perhaps a supplement to delay the onset of arthritis would be a good idea. Don't over feed your pet, as obesity can be a real issue for older dogs. Make sure they get plenty of exercise but don't overdo it. Older dogs can't keep going for as long as they could in their younger days, but they will try!

The best thing you can do for your older dog to maintain his quality of life is to be aware of the changes he is going through. Be patient with him, he will need your emotional support as this can be a confusing time, and sticking to a daily routine can help. Make sure he is still a part of your life, even if he is not as active as he used to be. Pay attention to his diet, medical needs and cleanliness, and you will find that your relationship with your dog will be just as rewarding as when he was just a puppy.

For more articles on older dogs, click here. Rebecca presents many canine health and related articles here.

Do these Standard Poodle breeders look reputable?
If you where going to buy a Standard Poodle, would you consider one of these breeders? Windsong is the one I like the most. Windsong Standard Poodles At Windsong, we have had standard poodles as members of our family for over 40 years. Our hobby is training poodles, with a concentration on competing in hunt tests; they are one of the most versatile breeds, and are happiest when they are doing something with their owners. Windsong standard poodles have competed for and received titles in field (hunting), obedience, agility and tracking, as well as serving as therapy dogs. We breed an occasional litter of red and apricot puppies, concentrating on health, temperament and potential for performance success. Windsong puppies are socialized to people, including children, and other dogs and cats. They are exposed to birds in the nest and get to try swimming at 6-7 weeks. They make wonderful pets and are well-suited to any activities their owners may wish to pursue. All puppies are sold on limited registration - they cannot be bred, but may compete in any dog sport except conformation. Health Screening: Hips X-rayed (OFA), eyes certified (CERF) yearly, blood test for thyroid (OFA), von Willebrand's clear by parentage (genetic testing) My Poodles whose test results can be confirmed: Lidos I Love Lucy, JH, RN, WC, TT CH Lidos Chimera Harley-Davidson, UDX, OA, AXJ, WC, TT, TDI Samali Isabelle, UDX, TDX, AX, AXJ, VCD3, TT, TDI http://workingpoodles.com/ Tiara Black Standard Poodles RAISING YOUR STANDARDS Leading the Poodle breed in health screenings achieved and registered, Julie and Kirk Reed of Tiara Black Standard Poodles challenge other Poodle Breeders to accomplish at least the basic CHIC health screenings always before breeding their Poodles. Currently breeding the sixth generation of Tiara CHIC designated Standard Poodles, the Reeds place a great concern for increased/maintained longevity averages in their line of handsome, winning Poodles. CHIC is an acronym for Canine Health Information Center and every shopper of any breed of dog or cat should be made aware of the great information that can be gleaned from that database. The Tiara Poodles are reared holistically and the breeders are currently feeding the third generation fed a raw diet. New owners are encouraged to rear their dogs the same and there is an extensive network or "clan" as they refer to themselves of the Tiara Poodle owners. Public education is a primary focus and new fanciers are encouraged to become involved in dog sports. The Tiara Poodles are very athletic and can be seen winning in agility trials in several regions of the United States. Coefficiencies of inbreeding (COIs) are produced at under 6 % for 10 generations at Tiara. The average in Std Pdls is now at or just over 20% for 10 generations. The Std Pdl gene pool is thought to be shrinking. There are many interesting links to study on all the above subjects at www.tiarapoodles.com Grandeur Standard Poodles We are a small kennel, breeding quality Standard Poodles for both the show ring and the pet home. Our goal is to be the best, not the biggest. We are extremely proud of our dogs accomplishments including those who have gone on to be devoted and beloved family pets. Our poodles are not kennel dogs. From the moment they are whelped, they live in our home and are tenderly raised to be loving, well socialized members of the family. The development of a line of Standard Poodles takes patience, vision, and a commitment to the breed. We work toward improving the breed, one generation at a time. We have structured our breeding program with this goal in mind. We plan our breedings carefully with dogs who have been tested to be clear of genetic problems, who are Champions and who have great temperaments. Breeding poodles is an honor and a privilege. It is our passion, not our business! Puppies sold as companion dogs are sold with limited registration and require spay/neuter contracts. They are still AKC registered purebred standard poodles, however, they cannot be bred. This is how the reputable breeders protect their breeding programs from misuse. Please visit our website and meet our poodle family. http://www.grandeurs.net/ I found these breeders here http://www.standardpoodles.org/standardpoodle/breedersincalifornia.html

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