Senior Dogs - Part One

Hello all! My last post was about puppies, so I thought I would balance it out this week and talk a little bit about the other end of the spectrum....senior dogs.

As dogs age there are many things we need to think about in terms of their well being.

What things should I expect as my dog ages?
Each dog is different and ages differently. Larger breed dogs age more quickly than smaller breed dogs. But there are some things you will generally see as every dog gets up there in years.

Slowing down - As your dog gets older you may see him/her start to slow down a bit. Generally you may notice subtle changes in how s/he gets up, lays down, and uses stairs. Is there any hesitation or stiffness? Does a change in the weather (rainy, cold) make it worse? Your dog could be suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly large breeds. Arthritis can occur in any joint, most commonly the legs, hips and spine. There are many prescription medications and joint supplements that can be given to your dog to help ease the pain and symptoms of arthritis. Discussing the problem with your veterinarian will help to determine which drug or combination of medications would be best for your best friend. Your veterinarian may recommend simple blood tests to determine if your dog is able to take certain arthritis medications.

Another potential cause of slowing down is hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder common in dogs where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone for your dogs metabolism to work properly. This condition is easily diagnosed with a blood tests and can be treated with proper veterinary care.

Graying around the face, muzzle - Dogs commonly show a bit of gray around the face, or muzzle, at middle age (about 5-6 years depending on the dog). Fortunately, there are no detrimental effects of this color change.

Reduced hearing - As with aging humans, it is common for dogs to lose their hearing to some degree. Sometimes they do become completely deaf. Is your dog hard to wake up after sleeping or does s/he become startled easily if you approach from behind? Does s/he not respond to their name being called? Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a veterinary exam should be done to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, tumors or masses, or foreign objects in the ear. If your dog does experience hearing loss, be sure to protect him/her from hazards, such as cars, children or other animals that s/he may not hear (or see). Dogs can learn to respond well to hand signals. It is a good idea to get your dog used to using these signals when s/he is young so that if hearing loss is a problem later in life these signals can be used instead of verbal commands.

Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is usually a normal result of aging caused by the lens of the eye changing shape and is akin to changes that humans experience as they age. Our response is holding the newspaper farther away from our face to see the print. Since dogs cannot read, their response is different. You may see your dog have trouble navigating in the dark, or s/he may not be able to see things well in the distance. The medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. This is NOT the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque and can be caused by some disease processes like Diabetes. Vision CAN be affected by cataracts. If you think your dog's eyes look different or cloudy in any way, make an appointment with your veterinarian to investigate this further.

Muscle atrophy - Mild loss of muscle mass (thickness), especially of the hind legs, may be seen with old age. Some muscle atrophy, notably on the head and the belly muscles, can signify other potentially serious diseases. Sometimes a decreased muscle thickness is noticeable when a dog has arthritis in a certain limb or in the hips. If you notice any change in your dog's muscle mass, contact your veterinarian to determine if there is a more serious reason for these changes.

Well that's all for now! Next week part two on our older "furry kids"...until then remember, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Having been faced with the possibility that one of my beloved dogs (Maggie - left) may be afflicted with Canine Hip Dysplasia (or CHD) I felt compelled to make it my first topic. CHD is commonly believed to have a genetic predisposition, though environmental factors can certainly complicate the disease, such as obesity and trauma. This disease is not present at birth but developes as the dog ages. It is, in basic terms, the abnormal development of the hip. In moderate and severe cases flattening of the femoral head developes as well as thickening of the femoral necks. This process is called Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). Lameness, pain and osteoarthritis become apparent as the disease progress, and in some cases can become debilitating to the dog and heartbreaking for the owner. Signs can appear as early as 4-12 months of age, for dogs severely affected, and can include pain, limping, “bunny hopping” when the dog runs, clicking sound when the dog walks, runs or when the hip is manipulated as well as loss of muscle mass (atrophy). Refusal to go up and down stairs can also be a sign the average dog owner may notice.

Modern science has developed two different methods for responsible breeders to screen for the disease. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and PennHip are the two common in the United States at this time. OFA grades the hip's conformation giving rates beginning with Excellent and continuing through Severe. For OFA certification X-rays evaluated must be from dogs at least 24 months of age but they will evaluate and release preliminary results for those under 24 months of age. Dogs are X-rayed once, preferably under anesthesia, for a V/D view of the Pelvis with the legs fully extended in a parallel position. PennHip on the other hand takes a more "scientific" approach by measuring the laxity of the hips and giving breeders actual numbers to work with. Three X-rays are taken for PennHip evaluation with views of the hips compressed and distracted, as well as the view used for OFA. There is no pass or fail with the PennHip Method, as its measurements allow the breeder to make their own educated decision about whether or not to breed said dog.

I can't express how important these simple screening processes can be. It is extremely difficult to watch when your 4 month old puppy hobbles around for 2 weeks from a jump that another dog would have just brushed off. To look at her now at 12 months of age and wonder if she will be crippled in just a few short years . . . unable to run, jump and play with her housemates, to enjoy simply being a dog . . .

I highly encourage any dog owner to read up on the CHD in depth as it affects many purebred breeds of dog as well as those of the mix breed variety. Many aren’t aware of how prevalent CHD has become in the American Staffordshire Terrier and its counterpart, the American Pit Bull Terrier, with 25% of the evaluated population affected with the disease. Ranking them in the top 25 affected breeds with OFA.

If you feel your dog or puppy may be affected with CHD, consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options available in your area. Common supplements used to ease the pain and increase mobility in the joints include Glucosamine/Chondroitin, and Vitamin C. Often prescription NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) are required in more severe cases to help control pain and inflammation associated with the disease.

In young dogs TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy ) surgery may be recommended. In this procedure the pelvis is cut in 3 spots and is rotated to provide better coverage of the femoral head to prevent further DJD. Dogs are usually preferred to be under 12 months of age with minimal arthritic changes to be candidates for this surgery. Dogs with chronic DJD may be recommended for total hip replacement among several different surgical options currently available.

If you would find your pup or dog is affected they may enjoy the benefits of a “doggy ramp” as it puts less stress on the joints when they join you on the couch and bed. Orthopedic grade pet beds are available and can provide much needed comfort to aching joints. I try to keep my own dog at a healthy lean weight as well to try to lessen the work load she puts on her hips. She also has a daily exercise routine we try to keep up on to be sure she maintains her muscle tone in her legs and lower back, but always consult with your vet before you begin a regimen yourself to be sure it is appropriate for your pooch. You may find your dog also enjoys a nice doggie massage to relax aching muscles at the end of the day - I know mine does!