Caring for an old dog. Ilya Melnikov

OLD AGE AND CHANGES IN DOG CHARACTER
So, your pet must leave you - this is inevitable. Some people get a young dog ahead of time - this softens the bitterness of parting. But not always an old dog is happy with the appearance of a puppy. A puppy with its boundless energy, disrespect for the property of the old dog, for its place, toy, for dinner, with its appropriation of the attention of the owner, will cause irritation and jealousy in your old friend. If you did not take a partner to the dog when he was still young, you should not do this when he feels weak, aging.

Older dogs behave more sedately, with dignity, become conservative in their habits, so they can hardly endure a change of scenery. They can become naughty, irritable and grumpy. The character is especially spoiled in dogs suffering from serious illnesses and experiencing constant pain in connection with this. Some dogs become shy, unsure of their abilities. Others hurt young dogs, trying to keep the lead.

To the owner, the dogs become more obsessive, jealous, touchy, can withdraw into themselves and avoid communication. Spending most of the day half asleep, at night the "old men" stagger around the apartment - they suffer from insomnia.

Dogs can hardly endure emotional and physical overload, and stress is simply fatal for them.

Old age brings diseases: rheumatism, arthritis, toothache, diseases of the liver, bladder, etc. Old age cannot be cured, but an old dog can be helped to live out its last years happily. It all starts with caring for the health of the pet, carried out throughout life. This care includes regular veterinary check-ups, deworming, dental and ear care, regular exercise, and an appropriate diet.

Older dogs have reduced motor activity and an increased tendency to become obese. From here it becomes clear how important it is to properly feed the dog.

Do not let her get fat, although this can be very difficult to do. For older dogs, a low-calorie diet with a low content of protein, carbohydrates and high in fiber, vitamins, and vegetable oils is recommended.

Many older dogs are very worried about severe toothache. The dog resists and trembles when we want examine her teeth, and then rub her muzzle with her paws. It means she's in a lot of pain. Sick teeth need to be removed in time. She will become sociable and cheerful again.

Dogs often suffer from earaches. It is more difficult to deal with it than with a toothache. There is only one way - from puppyhood, keep your ears clean and in good condition. Preventive brushing once a week throughout life will relieve the dog of pain in old age.

An old dog can become deaf, blind. This will make her treat her even more tenderly than before - there is no other way out.

Sometimes older dogs suffer from urinary incontinence. It is impossible to treat this defect, it remains only not to scold your old friend, but to cover the bedding with a layer of old newspapers at night.

"Gets old" and wool. It acquires an unpleasant odor, thins, the skin becomes oily. Rubbing the wool with a sponge moistened with a solution of vodka and 9% vinegar (1:1) will help. This simple procedure will eliminate the smell.

It is necessary to protect the old dog from rain and cold. On rainy days, it is better to take the dog for a walk in a warm blanket.

Particular attention should be paid to the place of the dog in the apartment. It should be as far away from drafts as possible and be soft and comfortable.

The old dog becomes very slow and does everything after much thought. Don't rush her and don't be nervous. Be careful when you have to go down or up the stairs - over the years, the stairs become a serious obstacle for the dog. Don't jerk it, old dogs feel miserable when they are spoken to loudly, harshly or forced to rush. You need to be careful and patient.

GENERAL RULES FOR CARE OF AN OLD DOG
Dogs live up to 15–20 years, but they show signs of aging after 5–8 years, during this period less dynamic behavior, joint pain, fading of the coat with the appearance of white hairs, and a decrease in appetite are observed. It's too early to talk about old age, but some dietary changes should be taken to reduce the problems associated with age.

Light mode is introduced when the dog shows signs of being overweight. In adults, on the contrary, it is necessary to maintain a sufficient energy value of food and improve the quality of the components used to compensate for some of the difficulties that may arise during the assimilation of food. Contrary to It is widely believed that the amount of protein in the diet of older dogs should be reduced. But proteins allow the dog to maintain muscle and protect against infection. Since aging dogs are less successful in absorbing proteins from food than young dogs, it is necessary to improve their quality.

Reducing dietary phosphorus intake is effective in slowing down the gradual decline in kidney function.

The old dog is heavy on his feet, he sleeps a lot and plays little. She no longer pleases with enthusiasm and energy, she becomes slow, weak. An older dog is looking for a warm, comfortable place and can sleep all day. The dog's coat is changing. Usually it turns gray, becomes thin and brittle. An elderly dog ​​is in no hurry to respond to the call of the owner, being naughty.

Dogs age faster than we would like, and it always happens unexpectedly. For each animal, old age occurs at different times and depends on the size of the dog, breed, health status. Small dogs usually live longer. Many live up to 20 years, and become old only at the age of 10-12 years, while large dogs age at 6-8 years. For orientation: dogs weighing up to 10 kg live 15 years or more, dogs of medium weight - 11-14 years, and heavyweights - 8-10 years.

How should the owner react to the aging of the dog? First of all, you need to become especially attentive when your pet and friend enters middle age. What is meant by this? Sometimes it's easy to make the mistake of overlooking a serious illness and mistaking a dog's reduced activity as a sign of old age. Symptoms include weight loss, lack of appetite, increased thirst, frequent urination, difficulty breathing, exhaustion, vomiting, bad breath, or gum disease.

In short, any changes in the behavior of an older dog should alert you - unwillingness to go for a walk, involuntary urination, lethargy. These are signs that your pet is unwell.

Dog lovers have accumulated a wealth of experience in caring for older dogs, let's summarize this experience.

Take your dog to the vet twice a year. Blood and urine tests done on a healthy dog ​​will allow you to know the rate, which will be needed for comparison when he gets sick. Regular check-ups of the dog by a veterinarian should be made a rule. He should listen to her heart lungs, examine the teeth, eyes, ears and lymph nodes.

There is an opinion that old dogs do not need to be vaccinated. This view is extremely dangerous. As animals age, they become more susceptible to disease and need the protection that vaccines give to your friend's weakened immune system.

In no case should you postpone a visit to the veterinarian if you notice a deterioration in the health of your pet. Do not wait for the aggravation of the situation, when the disease will lead to irreversible processes.

The dog's teeth need to be cleaned regularly, on their own, using a special paste for pets. By the way, dogs like the taste of pasta, so they quickly get used to this procedure. (About 85% of all older dogs suffer from dental and gum disease.)

Brush your dog regularly. Older dogs need more frequent bathing and shampooing.

While combing, be sure to feel the dog to check for tumors. Examine the skin and coat, ears and eyes. The mucous membranes of the eyes should be pink (as well as healthy ones).

About sterilization and castration. These operations can prevent tumors of the mammary glands and prostate, but they are best performed on a young dog. In old age, they are also not contraindicated and can be effective.

Do not change the routine, so as not to stress the old dog. She should live in a familiar family environment, eat ordinary food. When a new pet arrives, be sure to pay more attention to your old friend.

About physical activity. They should be moderate - a few short walks a day. If the dog is tired and breathing heavily, you should consult a veterinarian.

ILLNESSES OF OLD AGE
In older dogs, it is not easy to draw a line between age-related changes and diseases. Symptoms of diseases are mild and the owners do not always pay attention to them in a timely manner. Some dogs become addicted to the weather, which can be confusing to owners when the ailment is attributed to the weather. By old age, animals acquire, as a rule, a bouquet of diseases. This must be taken into account when prescribing drug therapy so as not to disturb the delicate balance in an aging organism. The sensitivity to drugs also changes. Dosage of even the most harmless drug should be selected taking into account age, since intoxication may occur due to a decrease in the functions of the liver and kidneys.

Exercise is necessary for an old dog to maintain muscle