Dogs of all breeds are enjoying longer lives thanks to advances in veterinary care in recent years. The availability of heartworm vaccines and preventative medications for pets can add years to your dog’s life.
Aging dogs may have subtle symptoms that seem related to advancing age, but instead may be signs of pain or stiffness that can be relieved. If your older dog has difficulty getting up from a lying position, he may have osteoarthritis. If his disposition is not as sweet as before, he may be in pain.
Our pets have no way of telling us what is hurting them and they endure pain with dignity. A pet in pain may not be in favor of a limb, but may groan when you manipulate one of its hind legs or massage it. She may not be able to tell you that her teeth hurt, but she can turn her head away from a hand coming toward her mouth and she can avoid chew toys that she once enjoyed.
Veterinarians recommend health checkups for your canine companion every six months for good reason. Regular visits are especially important for older dogs, as your vet may notice a health issue that can be addressed before it becomes critical or life-threatening.
Symptoms of health problems in older dogs can come on slowly and be so subtle that the owner may not consider the change in behavior unusual. You may not realize your dog is in pain until your vet prescribes Rimadyl to ease the stiffness and pain of arthritis. Once the pain is relieved, your dog can go back to acting like he did when he was younger.
Before your dog’s semi-annual checkup, keep a list of questions to ask your vet. If you notice that your dog is drinking more water, doesn’t seem to listen when you call, or seems confused at times, these could be signs of disease or parasite infestations.
Any change in urination or elimination of waste observed in your pet over several days should be reported to your veterinarian. The same is true if your dog seems to have periods where he is disoriented or confused. These symptoms may just be a reflection of age and hot weather or discomfort caused by changing the animal’s food. They can also indicate the beginning of a debilitating disease that should be diagnosed by your veterinarian and can be managed with pet medications.
Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs. Obviously, they may be in pain and prefer one leg or hip, or they may move more slowly and appear stiff. Symptoms may come and go depending on the weather and the dog may appear to move normally after some physical activity.
We can’t prevent an older dog from developing hip dysplasia (common in some breeds) or arthritic joints, but we can stop the pain and stiffness associated with the disease.
Baby aspirin is often recommended for arthritic dogs. The low dose is usually enough to relieve pain, and aspirin acts as an anti-inflammatory to ease joint stiffness. Aspirin should only be given on the advice of your veterinarian, as repeated use can cause stomach and digestive problems for canines.
Treating your senior dog’s arthritis doesn’t have to be expensive. If your vet recommends Rimadyl or Feldene, he can buy those prescriptions at a discount pet drug site online. You can also ask if he can use the generic forms of the drugs to save even more.
You may be advised to give your pet a joint supplement such as Duralactin, Anthrogen, or Cosequin. Prescriptions from your veterinarian’s office can be easily filled online at a veterinarian-run pet medication website that offers discount pet medications.
Your older dog may have many years left to spend with you. With regular health checkups and noting any changes in his behavior and reporting them to your vet, you can provide your arthritic pet with the best new dog medications to keep his life as active and pain-free as possible.