Optimal Care for Senior Dogs: Tips for a Happy Life
Section 1: Grooming and Hygiene
As dogs age and their mobility decreases, they may struggle to maintain their cleanliness. Ensuring your pet's back is free of debris can help prevent urinary tract infections. Daily brushing and combing not only prevent hair tangles but also keep nails and fur neatly trimmed. Good hygiene habits not only keep your dog smelling fresh but also allow you to monitor for lumps, allergic spots, or calluses, which can be early indicators of health issues.
Section 2: Pain Management
After years of chasing after toys and squirrels, older dogs may develop arthritis in certain body areas. As dogs age, the fluid that nourishes their joints becomes less viscous and more watery, leading to cartilage wear and reduced joint cushioning, which causes pain. While inflammation can help the body heal joint injuries, excessive stimulation can lead to more pain. Over time, scar tissue may form, further reducing joint nutrition and mobility. In compensation, additional weight is placed on other parts of the body. While this cycle may seem endless, a pain management plan can help break it and promote overall comfort. Most importantly, be aware that pain can be subtle, and even gentle touches can cause extreme discomfort.
Remember, animals do not visibly show signs of pain, so pay close attention to any minor changes in their behavior and activity levels. Signs of pain may include reluctance to walk far, increased panting, difficulty lying down, slow起身, inability to jump, and more.
Section 3: Antiinflammatory Medications
Steroids like prednisone and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as carprofen, deracoxib, and galliprant can target inflamed areas to reduce pain. These medications can provide some relief for older pets but should only be administered under veterinary supervision.
Section 4: Supplements
Pain management should be considered a multimodal approach. This method can achieve significant success in pain control, often with minimal oral medications. Supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, omega3 fatty acids, greenlipped mussel extract, ASU, turmeric, MSM, and UCII are wellknown pet nutrients. When choosing a supplement, look for FDA approval or a yellow NASC symbol on the packaging, indicating thirdparty testing and quality control. If a supplement lacks the NASC seal or thirdparty testing, there is no evidence that the product contains what is listed on the label, and it may contain harmful unlisted ingredients.
Section 5: Additional Pain Relief Options
Older dogs often take a combination of medications, typically NSAIDs along with gabapentin or amantadine for additional pain relief. These combinations work together by targeting different parts of the pain pathway.
Other interventions for pain relief include CBD (a component of cannabis), pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF), acupuncture, laser therapy, physical therapy, and massage therapy, all of which have been shown to help regulate pain.
Section 6: Routine Physical Exams for Senior Dogs
As dogs age, it's crucial to schedule regular veterinary checkups, blood tests, and adjustments to pain control plans, as well as monitoring for lumps and overall health. For most dogs over 10 years old, it's important to visit the vet every six months – more frequently if there are underlying conditions that need close monitoring.
While caring for an older dog may require additional considerations, the rewards are worth it. Remember, you and your veterinarian are a team, working together to ensure your pet lives a happy, healthy, and painfree life.
