Senior dogs are wonderful. While their pace slows down and their snouts grow tiny patches of grey, the love and affection they have for us simply grows and grows. Aging is a natural, inescapable fact of life. Time stops for nobody though, and while age can bring a certain grace, it can also bring about a host of issues. Aging brings with it a vulnerability to diseases and illnesses, so it is important to be able to identify the same.
Cancers
Cancer is perhaps the most commonly
occurring affliction in senior dogs. Squamous
cell carcinoma, bone cancer, hemangiosarcoma,
tumours, and other cancers are the chief killer of middle-aged and senior
dogs. Dogs who haven’t been spayed/neutered are also at a higher risk of
developing testicular and mammary cancer.
Cancers can be treatable, or
bearable at the very least, if they are identified early. While humans have
certain ways of identifying and diagnosing cancers early on, such technology is
not as developed for our furry friends. The good news is that research is being
conducted and ways of identifying common cancers are slowly growing. In the
meantime, it is wise to be vigilant and keep an eye for any symptoms which
present themselves.
Common symptoms of cancers include:
- Lumps/bumps,
- Swollen/discoloured skin
- Words that don’t heal
- Chronic diarrhea/vomiting
- Lack of appetite/ loss of weight
- No energy/lethargic behaviour
- Difficulty in swallowing/breathing
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
Heart diseases
3/4th of the
senior dog population suffers from some variety of heart disease. Age and time
can lead to heart failure, and since the heart is a muscle which functions
restlessly for a lifetime, it is important to spot the early signs of heart-related
issues.
Some common symptoms of heart disease include:
- Shortness/difficulty in breathing
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigued or lethargic behaviour
- Inability to physically exert themselves
Liver
The liver is an important
part of an organism. While humans often jokingly say all the liver does is process
alcohol, its functions are complex and intertwined with other organs, which
means illness can manifest in various ways and any diseases are difficult to
spot.
Here are a few symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Increased urination
- Dark coloured urine
- Jaundice
- Disorientation
- Loss of appetite/weight
- Swollen abdomen
Kidneys
Kidneys filter acid and toxins from an organism’s body, and help maintain the delicate balance of water, minerals, and salts required for healthy bodily functions. Left unchecked, a kidney disease can be fatal, as once a kidney fails, it cannot be fixed or cured, and a transplant must be done.
Here are a few symptoms of kidney disease in dogs:
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Increased/decreased urination
- Dull fur
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss
Obesity
Obesity refers to the unnatural/excessive buildup of fat in a person’s body. Pets can also suffer from obesity; out of ten dogs, five are obese on average. Elderly dogs are especially susceptible to be obese, as their mealtimes remain consistent, but exercise slows down as they gradually age. Obesity can also present itself due to a related/underlying condition, so it is best to be prepared and look out for symptoms of the same.
- - Weight: Weight gain can be gradual, but left
unchecked, can compound and make your dog overweight. Make sure to check your pup’s
weight at regular intervals.
- - Fat at the ribs/abdomen: if you cannot see your dogs
ribs, they are likely overweight. Check in with your vet to make sure your
senior pooch is healthy.
