Mental and physical changes
affect most older dogs

THE average life expectancy of a dog is around 13 years, depending on the breed. Old age begins around eight years of age but this can happen earlier or later depending on the breed, health, environment and genetics. Changes in the dogs metabolism do occur but if we attend to the changes as they progress, we can help the dog to feel younger, fitter and as comfortable as possible in his later years.

The adrenal gland plays a major role in the ageing process and as the dog ages the response of the adrenal gland to the chemical messages from the brain slows down, thus impairing the animal's senses. The hearing diminishes and the dog loses its sensitivity to high notes and other tones. The eyes lose retinal cells and the retina becomes disorganised and the lenses become foggy. As a result of this deterioration in the dog's eyesight, he can no longer focus very well.

The dog will also become slower in his co-ordination and reflexes, taste is affected and loses its intensity, inefficient blood supply to the lungs and other parts of the body mean the dog will move slower and his memory will fade. Mentally the dog will be more sluggish and less excitable, he will be easily confused by changes in routine and he may become more irritable when disturbed. The dog's short-term memory is also affected making any training take longer when he is older.

Muscle tone and joints begin to deteriorate with the first signs being stiffness in the morning or after a long rest. The dog may drink a little more but may be less able to hold his urine, passing water more often and bedwetting during rest times. If the dog becomes incontinent it may be worthwhile taking him outdoors more often to relieve himself. If he messes his bed it is best not to become angry or he will become stressed, making matters worse for him.

Bedding will need washed frequently to reduce smell and to keep it clean and dry. The dog may also need a bath more frequently to avoid skin disease due to his skin becoming drier and thinner. He will need to be kept in a warm area to dry off. His coat needs daily brushing, checked frequently for parasites and treated if necessary. Worming frequently (every 2-6 months depending on location) will help keep him free of internal parasites, and increase his comfort.

Dental disease can become a real problem to the ageing dog. Teeth and gums should be checked daily for disease. Some symptoms to check for are bad breath, infection, inflamed gums, gingivitis, and tartar build-up. These problems can also alter his behaviour especially if he is in extreme pain. If any of these symptoms occur, appropriate treatment should be given. Lack of exercise as well as lack of mental stimulation contributes to the deterioration of the ageing dog. Diet, mental stimulation and physical exercise will improve the dogs' health, slow down the ageing process and help maintain his quality of life. He should be exercised daily but the amount of exercise required will vary according to his physical or clinical condition, body weight, and general health.

The amount and intensity of exercising should decrease over the years but daily exercise needs to be kept up without over-exertion to keep his muscles toned and working.

Weight should be kept down and he should not be allowed to become obese. His diet will gradually need altering to suit his changing metabolism as his body slows down and changes take place in his digestive system. He may eat his food slower or even leave part of it as his body's food intake requirements decrease. His sense of smell may also become impaired and heating his food to room temperature may increase the palatability of the food and also improve the odour to stimulate the dogs' appetite.

Quality of life can be improved by making his environment more comfortable. The amount of time an old dog spends lying down means he is prone to develop calluses on pressure points such as his elbows and hocks. Bedding should be warm, soft and dry, such as a fleecy blanket on top of a thick pile of fabric. The bed should also have raised edging to protect him from draughts and chills and make sure his bed, water, toys and food are downstairs in case he is unable to climb stairs without a struggle. Obstacles and other hazards should not be left around the house for him to harm himself due to poor eyesight.

As his senses are fading he will be more easily frightened as he may not notice or hear a person approaching him until that person is right beside him or touches him, giving him a fright or even causing him to bite if he is spooked. This is why it is important to supervise children around an older dog.

He can become lost and confused by wandering off when out on a walk, so an eye must be kept on him at all times or keep him on a long lead. When around other dogs, especially if they are young and active, he may feel threatened and become aggressive. He should be kept on a short lead and very close to his owner.

Veterinarians need to be visited every six months with older dogs, this helps to pick up any new disorders or changes in the early developmental stages that may occur so the vet can best monitor the condition and provide treatment when necessary.