The Golden Years - Caring for an Older Dog

Our dogs become such a big part of our lives that we really want to love them and give them the best quality of life through to the end of their days.  It’s not always easy when dealing with older dogs – watching them bump into things as they lose their eyesight or have a hard time navigating stairs.  But there are some things we can do to make life as pleasant as possible for our golden-aged buddies and show them how much we still care.

Dr. Alisha Selzner of Companion Pet Hospital in Fishkill is dedicated to helping people understand how to work with their senior pets.  “I always tell people that age is not a disease.  Unfortunately, as we age and as our pets age, we start to accumulate more problems that have to be managed in order to maintain a good quality of life.  Geriatric dogs can be prone to arthritis, loss of hearing, ocular conditions that lead to loss of vision, kidney failure, heart disease (leaky heart valves, thickened heart muscle, weakened heart muscle), thyroid conditions, cancerous processes, and other issues as well.”
​
One such condition that can be common in older dogs is Geriatric Dog Vestibular Disease or Idiopathic Vestibular disease.  What exactly does this mean?  Dr. Selzner explains, “In general, vestibular disease is similar to vertigo in people.  A dog’s balance and sense of orientation in space can be altered.  Patients with vestibular disease often have a head tilt, nystagmus (abnormal horizontal eye movements), and may vomit or decline to eat due to nausea associated with dizziness.  Vestibular disease can be linked with an inner or middle ear infection, or in rare circumstances can be due to a brain tumor.  However, the most common form of vestibular disease in dogs is Idiopathic or Geriatric Dog Vestibular disease, which occurs in senior pets for an unknown reason.”

​How about breed-specific aging conditions to consider?  “Many breeds can be prone to certain orthopedic issues that can lead to early onset of arthritis, which worsens with age.  For example, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and other large or giant breed dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joints).  Large breed dogs can also be more prone genetically to tearing the ACL ligament in their knees.  Small breed dogs can be prone to having medially luxating patellas (knee caps that pop out of place).  Dachshunds, Corgis, and Basset Hounds (all whom have long backs) are prone to developing slipped or herniated intervertebral discs in their backs,” shares Dr. Selzner.   Of course, just because your dog is of a specific breed does not guarantee these medical concerns; each dog is an individual so it is best to consult your veterinarian for specific suggestions for preventative care...

There is a lot to be said for preventative care rather than waiting for your dog to develop a concern before taking action.  Much like how many of our elderly family members require frequent doctor’s visits to keep tabs on any impending health concerns, it is also imperative to have your dog examined by a veterinarian at least annually - twice a year for our senior and geriatric pets.  Dr. Selzner advises, “These appointments should consist of a thorough physical exam, a 4Dx test annually (to check for heartworm disease and tick-borne diseases), a fecal exam annually (to test for intestinal parasites), a urinalysis biannually (to evaluate your pet’s kidney and bladder health), a CBC/Chemistry biannually (to evaluate red and white blood cells / liver and kidney function), a T4 biannually (to assess for adequate thyroid function), and potentially a blood pressure in geriatric pets.  These preventative care or wellness visits with your veterinarian will help promote early detection of potential problems, maximize your pet’s health, and improve their quality of life.”
​
What about caring for our canine friends who are losing their hearing or sight, as so often occurs with age?  Dr. Selzner advises consulting your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and to see if there is anything that can be done to improve their condition and quality of life.  Most of the time, these aging concerns are irreversible but, she says, there are some things we can do on our own to be more cognizant of our dogs’ needs and make their lives a little easier…

When a Dog Loses His Hearing

• If your dog has lost or partially lost his hearing, but his vision is still good, teach him hand signals.
• Deaf dogs are not more aggressive, but they do startle easily.  If any dog is startled, they could react aggressively unintentionally.  Always remember that if you are approaching a deaf dog and they can’t see you, or are sleeping, try to walk more heavily/stomp on the floor so that they can feel the vibrations. 
• In some cases, you can desensitize your deaf dog to sudden touches, hence decreasing the startle response.  If you repeatedly wake your dog with a tasty treat in hand, soon they will begin to associate the startle response with something good.  In these cases, it may be best to work with a behaviorist or trainer.
• Remember to always keep your deaf dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard, because if they make a run for it, you won’t be able to call to them to get their attention.  Some people actually advocate use of vibration (NOT shock) collars.  These collars can be implemented to get your dog’s attention, as when you signal the collar, it vibrates.  Be sure to use positive reinforcement when training with vibration collars, as some dogs become startled at first.  Again, working closely with a behaviorist or trainer in these cases is favorable.

When a Dog Loses His Sight

• With regards to blind dogs, we always want to focus on their safety first.  This means that they should be limited to a small area in the home so that they don’t injure themselves on stairs, sharp objects like the corner of an end table, etc.  You could also consider cushioning the corners of sharp furniture.
• As your blind dog is learning to navigate the home, do not change the position of furniture and do not leave anything on the floor that your dog could trip over.
• Install a gate at the top and bottom of the stairs to prevent your dog from attempting to go up or down unaccompanied.
• If there are other pets in the home, put bells on their collars so that the blind pet is aware of their presence.
• Do not allow strangers in the home or outside of the home to approach your blind dog without first allowing your dog to sniff their hand.
• When outside with your blind dog, use a harness and a short leash so that you have more control over their movement.
• Try not to startle blind dogs.
• Always talk to your blind dog, as this will help them to build their confidence.

Sometimes, adjusting to living with a dog whose sight or hearing is declining can be a difficult transition.  For extra support, you should contact your veterinarian, a behaviorist, or a trainer to help you make the best of the situation for both you and your dog.  There are also numerous books and resources available to help you adjust to living with a blind or deaf pet.

Watching the health of our canine friends decline is never easy, but if we take the right measures to ensure our dogs’ safety and comfort, we can still spend many beautiful golden years with our gray-muzzled buddies.  They can still live with us happily, enjoy regular activities that they love (with some modifications), and share many wonderful memories.  Like a fine wine, our puppy love only grows better with time!