As our beloved furry friends age, they can develop a variety of health issues. Senior dogs are no exception and can suffer from a range of ailments that require special care and attention. Common health issues in senior dogs include cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, vision and hearing loss, dementia/cognitive dysfunction, incontinence, increased sensitivity and irritability, increased fear of unfamiliar pets and people (sometimes referred to as “old dog syndrome”), bad breath and other dental problems, growths and tumors, obesity-related conditions such as insulin resistance or diabetes and difficulty breathing.
Cancer is one of the most common health issues in senior dogs. It can be difficult to detect early on due to its varied symptoms which may not be immediately obvious. However some signs to look out for include lumps or bumps on the skin or under the fur; changes in appetite; weight loss; lethargy; vomiting; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; coughing; lameness or stiffness in joints; bleeding from any part of the body; pale gums or eyes; bad breath or mouth odor; sores that don’t heal quickly. If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup as soon as possible.
Heart disease is another common health issue seen in senior dogs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after exercise or activity; coughing at rest or during sleep; fatigue after minimal activity such as walking up stairs or playing fetch with a toy; fainting spells or collapse episodes when standing up after lying down for an extended period of time. Other signs may include an enlarged abdomen due to fluid buildup around the heart muscle (known as congestive heart failure); rapid heartbeat (known as tachycardia); slow heartbeat (known as bradycardia); pale gums due to lack of oxygenated blood flow throughout the body. If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup as soon as possible.
Kidney and liver disease are also common health issues seen in senior dogs. Symptoms may include decreased appetite leading to weight loss; increased thirst leading to frequent urination (polyuria); vomiting/diarrhea/constipation/bloody stools/straining while defecating (due to dehydration); yellowing of mucous membranes due to jaundice caused by liver damage (icterus); bad breath due to toxins building up in the bloodstream (uremia). If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup as soon as possible.
Diabetes is another common health issue seen in senior dogs. Symptoms may include excessive thirst leading to frequent urination (polydipsia/polyuria); weight loss despite normal food intake levels (due to cells not being able absorb glucose properly); lethargy/weakness/depression due lack of energy from cells not being able absorb glucose properly). If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup as soon as possible.
Arthritis is another common health issue seen in senior dogs. Symptoms may include limping/stiffness when getting up from resting position (due pain associated with joint inflammation); reluctance when climbing stairs/jumping onto furniture etc.; licking at affected joints repeatedly due pain associated with joint inflammation). If you notice any of these symptoms it is important to take your pet
