As your pet ages, he or she may come across unexpected health problems. Just like humans, pets tend to develop uncomfortable issues as they age. The aches and pains are often just a part of getting old, but quality care and frequent veterinary visits can help to keep discomfort to a minimum. If your pet is acting odd or in pain, it is always best to take him or her to the vet first. Don't assume that the illness is just a sign of old age. Instead, you should take your pet to a qualified, local vet for diagnosis.
One of the most common conditions seen in pets that are aging is arthritis. Like people, many dogs can lose the cartilage between their joints, causing movement and mobility to become painful. As a result, dogs with arthritis will typically become lethargic. Cartilage that is damaged will inflame the joint, and cause stiffness, swelling and pain. Sometimes, a dog with arthritis will start to limp, or will have a new aversion to stairs.
There are also times that you can tell your pet is suffering from arthritis because the dog will have difficulty standing of walking, or will yelp in pain when picked up. Some dogs will indicate their pain by licking or chewing at an aching joint and will show irritability and aggression. Drugs and changes in diet and exercise can help to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, so you wild want a vet to help you with learning about these solutions soon.
Some dogs will start to develop blindness as they age. Blindness may seem distressing, but the fact is that the blindness does not necessarily need to change the day-to-day life that your dog enjoys right now. You can tell that your pet is going blind if the animal starts to develop cataracts. A cataract will make your dog's eye appear as if it is covered by a white coating. If you believe that your pet is going blind, take him or her to the vet for a check-up. Unfortunately, not much can be done for elderly dogs with blindness, as it is a common sign of aging. Still, in your particular situation a vet may have a satisfactory solution.
Dogs often suffer from gum disease as they age as well. Most of the time, gum disease will start as gingivitis. This is gum inflammation. If untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis which is an actual disease. Proper dental care can help to prevent this gum disease from occurring. When a pet has never had his or her teeth brushed, the years of plaque build-up will trigger this disease. Periodontitis can be painful so it is best to take your pet to a veterinarian to see if you can prevent the disease from worsening with a new diet or with medication.
Like humans, pets can also suffer from diabetes as they age. This disease is most common in obese dogs. You can work to prevent diabetes by feeding your pet a healthy diet and making sure that your animal gets plenty of exercise. Also, it is important not to feed your pet table scraps, as this can start the disease. Diabetes normally occurs in dogs that are eight or nine years old. It is most common in pugs, toy poodles, terriers, samoyeds and miniature schnauzers.
Lastly, pets can also suffer from kidney disease in their old age. When the kidneys lose their ability to perform, it can cause significant health concerns for animals. Dogs with kidney disease will normally have accidents in the house, and will want to drink more water than normal. The dogs will also experience vomiting in some cases, as well as weight loss. Find a local vet using this directory today and take care of your aging pet!