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Your Fur Kids aren't just pets, they're family. Your cherished canines and fabulous felines are a precious part of your life. They share your ups and downs, they express emotions just like you do, and they are there for you in your best and worst times -always unconditionally-you can do the same in their time of need. Have a look at our 5 simple plans and see which one would suit you and your Fur Kids the best.
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Monitoring Your Senior Dog For Signs Of Disease
© 2016 Foster & Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208
This really is a great website to find out about various diseases and conditions.
© 2016 Foster & Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208
This really is a great website to find out about various diseases and conditions.
As your dog ages, the likelihood he will develop various changes in the function of his body systems increases. Some of these will be normal changes due to the aging process, others may be indicative of disease. To be more easily alerted to possible signs of disease early in the disease process:
- Monitor food consumption: how much is being eaten?, what type of food is being eaten (e.g.; does your dog leave the hard kibble and only eat the canned)?, any difficulty eating or swallowing?, any vomiting?
- Monitor water consumption: drinking more or less than usual?
- Monitor urination and defecation: color, amount, consistency and frequency of stool; color and amount of urine; any signs of pain while urinating or defecating?, any urinating or defecating in the house?
- Measure weight every 2 months: for small dogs use an infant or mail scale, or use the scale in your veterinarian's office; for medium-size dogs, weigh yourself holding the dog, then weigh yourself and subtract to find the difference; for larger dogs, you may need to use your veterinarian's scale.
- Groom, check and clip nails, look for any lumps, bumps, or non-healing sores; any abnormal odors?, any change in size of abdomen?, increased hair loss?
- Monitor behavior: sleep patterns, obeying commands, tendency to be around people; any house soiling?, easily startled?, anxious when left alone?
- Monitor activity and mobility: difficulty with stairs?, inability to exercise without tiring quickly?, bumping into things?, sudden collapses?, seizures?, any loss of balance?, any lameness or change in gait?
- Look for any changes in respiration: coughing?, panting?, sneezing?
- Provide home dental care: brush your dog's teeth, regularly examine the inside of his mouth; any excesive drooling?, any sores?, bad breath?, are the gums swollen, yellow, light pink, or purplish?
- Monitor environmental temperature and the temperature at which your dog seems most comfortable.
- Schedule regular appointments with your veterinarian.
- Some of the more common signs indicative of diseases are shown in the table below. Remember, just because your dog has a sign of a disease does not necessarily mean he has the disease. What it does mean, is that your dog should be examined by your veterinarian so a proper diagnosis can be made.
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Signs and Symptoms
of Common Diseases in Older Dogs Behavior Changes
Weakness or excercise intolerance
Change in activity level
Weight gain Weight loss
Abnormally colored mucous membranes (gums)
Coughing
Increased thirst and urination Vomiting
Diarrhea Seizures
Haircoat changes Bad breath
Lameness, difficulty rising
Urinary incontinence
Lumps, bumps
Appetite changes
Cloudy eye |
Associated Diseases
Pain associated with arthritis, Loss of sight or hearing, Cognitive dysfunction, Hypothyroidism, Liver disease, Kidney disease Hypothyroidism, Arthritis, Pain, Obesity, Anemia, Mitral Insufficiency/Heart disease, Kidney disease, Cancer
Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, Obesity, Arthritis
Cancer, Kidney disease, Liver disease, Gastrointestinal disease, Decreased food consumption, Oral or dental disease, Mitral Insufficiency/Heart disease, Diabetes mellitus, Inflammatory bowel disease
Anemia, Mitral Insufficiency/Heart disease, Liver disease
Mitral Insufficiency/Heart disease, Respiratory disease, Heartworm disease Cancer
Cushing's disease, Pyometra (uterine infection) Diabetes mellitus, Liver disease, Kidney disease
Kidney disease, Liver disease, Gastrointestinal disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Cancer, Diabetes mellitus
Gastrointestinal disease, Sudden changes in diet Inflammatory bowel disease, Kidney disease, Liver disease
Epilepsy, Cancer, Kidney disease, Liver disease, Mitral Insufficiency/Heart disease
Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, Obesity
Dental disease, Oral cancer, Kidney disease
Arthritis, Nervous system disease, Obesity
Kidney disease, Pain from arthritis, Hormone responsive incontinence, Bladder stones, Cancer Prostate disease
Cancer, Benign tumors
Diabetes mellitus, Cancer, Liver disease, Kidney disease, Gastrointestinal disease, Stress, Pain, Reaction to medication(s), Oral or dental disease, Cushing's disease
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