Old age in dogs varies depending on the type, where the large dog breeds are generally ahead of the age of 6 years is not a small dog before age 7 years. In addition to the types of races, survival of animals in old age is also determined from the condition and maintenance of good health.
The age difference with the human dog is estimated to 7 times faster, and seiiring as time passes, you need to recognize the changes that occur in your dog, because the needs of older dogs and handling is fundamentally different from young and adult dogs.
The changes generally occur in older dogs include:
1. Nutrition
In accordance with changes in body metabolism slows down, an old dog's energy needs also declined. The impact of feeding should be reduced by the excess energy will be allocated on fat reserves. Moreover, old animals activity tends to decrease so that less exercise also has the potential to make an old dog become obese. Frequency of feeding 2x a day is better than 1x a day to reduce the possibility of the dog was very hungry. In addition to anticipating hunger dogs outside meal hours, you can provide vegetables and fresh fruits are good for digestion and no potential to cause obesity in dogs, which include cucumbers, beans, carrots and apples.
Older animals require a diet low in fat, phosphorus and sodium to maintain healthy kidneys and heart but instead require a high fiber content and high-quality protein is easily digested. Older dogs also require additional antioxidant form of vitamin E, vitamin C and selenium to reduce the effects of cell damage caused by free radicals, as well as omega fatty acids that may help the function of mitochondria of cells. All the needs of the composition is usually already equipped with the premium quality dog food products are specifically tailored to older dogs.
2. Periodontal Disease
The risk of plaque and tartar formation is accompanied ginggivitis increased in older dogs, because of decreased saliva production with the rest of the food that sticks to teeth and mixed bacterial accumulation. Need to be aware that periodontal disease can cause interference with the body's vital organs such as kidney, heart and liver. This is because infection of the gums and tooth decay facilitate entre d port (entrance) and the migration of bacteria circulating in the blood vessels.
Ideally maintain healthy teeth and gums can be done by brushing teeth regularly using a special toothpaste containing chlorhexidine for the animals at least 3 times a week. Dental Treats and Chews can also be given to help reduce the risk of the formation of plaque and tartar. However, animals with the condition of plaque and tartar which generally can only be treated badly by "dental scaling".
3. Behaviour
Although aging is a process that can not be avoided, but the observation of all kinds of behavioral changes in your dog's need to be considered, since such changes can be one sign of a disorder / health problems in animals. Physiological changes in animal behavior at the parents themselves can be affected by the presence of cognitive decline in organ function (brain) in elderly people with dementia is more commonly known. Signs that can be identified among the reaction to the stimulus (stimulus) is decreased, memory decline, much slower to move, changes in sleep patterns, and decreased function of sensory organs. Dog's ability to adapt to changes in the surrounding environment also began to decline in old age so it becomes easier to trigger the dog's stress.
When the function of hearing and vision decline, older dogs can get lost when in a new environment and felt out of place so it can respond aggressively and intolerant towards people. The dog's sense of smell can also affect the decrease in appetite. Also older dogs can also be problematic with the change in frequency of defecation seiiring with decreasing control function spinchter ani. Just as with humans that require attention, the old dog who is not accustomed himself left the owner can also experience stress so that it becomes agitated and vocalizing (voice).
4. Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints characterized by the stiffness and pain in joints. Arthritis itself includes many degenerative diseases that strike older dogs especially large breeds of dogs, while a young age generally caused by trauma or infection due to factors in the joints. Symptoms include pain when standing or after activity so that the animals become less active, stiffness, and even a bit limp a few steps when you wake up after a long sleep.
Handling can be done is by the administration of drugs to reduce inflammation and pain, which is commonly used is Rimadyl and include NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The use of these drugs should still require supervision and guidance vet because side effects that can cause ulcers and gastrointestinal toxicity in the liver and kidneys. While the supplement glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and fatty acids omega 3 and 6, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory drugs are useful to help slow the degeneration process and maintain joint lubrication.
Exercise regularly is also still needed to help trigger the production of lubrication in the joints and help the animals do not lazy to move so as to prevent muscle atrophy. One of the most convenient way is to exercise at least 10-30 minutes a day walking in the morning or afternoon depending on the condition of the dog.
Because dogs tend to have trouble moving arthritis is necessary to note the cage floor should not be made of a slippery tiles and wood, if necessary, given the additional carpet to prevent the dog slipping. Obesity factors can also aggravate the condition of dog arthritis due to the pressure load on the joints. While bedding that gently help the dog feel more comfortable, especially useful for dogs who are very thin where the protrusion of the limb bones rubbing against the floor surface can cause abrasion. The pain of arthritis also makes the dog becomes sensitive and less tolerant of outside interference, so the need to provide a quiet atmosphere so that the dog remains comfortable.
5. Heart trouble
As with humans, older dogs can also suffer from heart problems even though generally not primarily due to the factor of diet. Abnormalities are often found among heart valve disorders (valvular disease) and cardiomyopathy. Cardiac disorder itself can be triggered by a tumor, heart parasites (Dirofilaria immitis), obesity and periodontal infections.
Symptoms that can be observed in dogs suffering from cardiac disorders such as frequent coughing at night, more tired during activity, difficulty breathing and even fainting. Impaired heart function generally experience arythmia (irregular rhythm) that can be detected from the presence of murmurs (abnormal rustling sound). As a vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body, heart disorders can adversely affect other organs due to impaired blood circulation. Treatment of heart disorder itself generally use them diuretikum oral medication, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers or calcium channel blockers.
6. Tumor
The most commonly observed in older dogs are tumors of the skin. Lumps on the skin you need to consider the location, shape, size and color changes that occur, to determine the nature of the tumor is malignant or benign. Treatment of the tumor itself depends on the diagnosis and prognosis of disease so you should immediately consult your animal to a veterinarian if the abnormality is found on your dog.
Besides the changes mentioned above, older dogs are also prone to dysfunction of other organs including liver, kidney and hormonal disorders. Although aging itself is a process of degeneration that can not be avoided but a variety of diseases that appear to be anticipated and dealt with immediately recalled the old dogs need more time to recover with a decreased capacity of the body functions. Early detection of the disease can usually be done by routine blood tests at least 1-2 times a year to detect early symptoms of organ dysfunction that often have not been observed in a clinical examination that can be taken to prevent or slow the progression of the disease process that occurs.
As a result the principle of good maintenance, prevention and proper handling along with a balanced nutrition can at least provide comfort and extend the lifespan of your dog in his old age.
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