4 Common Aging Dog Problems You Should Know About

Article Title: 4 Common Aging Dog Problems You Should Know
About
Author: Michael Whitman

While every dog is an individual, a few age-related maladies
seem to strike many of them. You should of course discuss how
they affect your dog - and the best approach to treating them -
with your veterinarian, but knowing a little bit about what
you're dealing with before you go in is helpful.

Here are a few old-dog problems, along with some things you can
do to help:

1. Stiffness: Your veterinarian can help you determine if the
stiffness is because of temporary muscle soreness - say from
overdoing it - or the onset of arthritis. Many dogs are worse
in cold weather and first thing in the morning. Arthritis is
common in older dogs, and while no cure exists, treatments are
available that can make your pet's life comfortable. Your
veterinarian may prescribe buffered aspirin, food supplements,
or anti-inflammatory medications, all of which your pet may
need to take for the rest of her life. For your part, you need
to be sure that your pet is not overweight and is kept
consistently, but not strenuously, active.

2. Decline of the senses: Deaf and blind dogs do just fine, as
long as you do your part to keep them out of any danger their
disabilities may cause. Blindness, in particular, is a problem
dogs adjust to with an ease that stuns their owners. But
consider the following: Dogs don't have to read the newspaper,
they don't care about TV, and they count on you to read the
ingredients label on a bag of kibble. Sight isn't their primary
sense anyway; they put much greater stock in their sense of
smell. After they learn the layout of the land, they rarely
bump into things (as long as you don't keep moving the
furniture). Handicapped pets should never be allowed off-leash
on walks, because they can't see danger and cannot hear your
warnings.

Even if your older dog is blind, there may be something that
you can do. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a
specialist like a veterinary ophthalmologist. Problems such as
cataracts may be treatable with medications and surgery.

3. Incontinence: There are many inquiries all of the time from
frustrated owners wondering why their older dogs are no longer
house-trained - and how they can get them back on track. The
first rule of any sudden-onset behavior problem is to make sure
that it's not a health problem, and we can think of no case
where this rule is more true than with an older dog who's
suddenly urinating in the house. Your pet could have an
infection or, if she's an older spayed female, she may be
suffering from the loss of muscle tone related to a decrease in
her hormone levels. Both are treatable; see your veterinarian.
At a certain age, a little dribbling of urine is practically
inevitable, especially while your older dog is sleeping.

4. Lumps and bumps: Benign fatty tumors are common in older
dogs, and the vast majority are nothing to worry about. Benign
tumors are round and soft, with well-defined edges. You can
usually get your fingers nearly around them, and they don't
seem well-anchored. Showing them to your veterinarian for a
more complete evaluation is important, and you should inform
her of any changes in size or shape, especially if they happen
rapidly. Your veterinarian may be concerned enough about the
size, appearance, or location of a mass to suggest its removal
and a biopsy; most bumps, however, are left alone. The best
time to check for lumps and bumps? During regular grooming,
weekly, at least. Run your hand over every inch of your dog,
and don't forget to talk sweetly - she'll think it's petting.

About The Author: Michael Whitman can teach you how to quickly
and easily train your problem dog.
http://www.dogtrainingmethod.com/DogExpert.html

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