August 11, 2017
Live Long and Paws-Purr
Ah, now a topic we (including your dogs) are affected by: Aging. Getting old is something that’s out of our control, and there’s not much we can do but take precaution and attempt to live a better lifestyle. Unfortunately for dogs, there’s not really a way where they can buy their own collagen and vitamin pills to prevent wrinkles, right? Jokes aside, paying close attention to your dog’s behavior regarding aging can help catch health issues early, which will then result to easier and less expensive treatments. If your dog does any of the signs below and cause a few concerns, be sure to stop by the vet to prevent other types of discomfort that may occur later on!
Bad Breath: Though most dogs don’t usually have the best smelling breath, does not mean it should be ignored fully. Stinky breath is a huge red flag for dental disease and can actually affect other pups as young as three years old. The longer you wait to get it checked, the faster their teeth starts to decay.
Trouble Getting up: If you call your dog over and they’re not as thrilled or excited to greet you, the reason behind it may be a lot more serious than just them “getting lazy”. If he/she has a habit of lying or sitting on hard surfaces for a long period of time because they have troubles getting up, the source can most likely be coming from joint pain. The sooner you seek help, the faster your furry friend can get up and play with you again!
Cloudy Eyes: Cloudy eyes, or nuclear sclerosis, is common with aging dogs. This typically is a sign of cataracts which does demand for treatment, so once you notice a blur in your pup’s pupils, definitely seek for help before it worsens.
Gaining Weight: If you notice your dog gaining a few pounds, it can possibly be from thyroid issues or their metabolism slowing down. An easy fix would be lessening their food intake or simply switching off to a low-calorie based diet, but it’s always best to visit the vet to fully eliminate the chances of serious medical issues.
Bad Breath: Though most dogs don’t usually have the best smelling breath, does not mean it should be ignored fully. Stinky breath is a huge red flag for dental disease and can actually affect other pups as young as three years old. The longer you wait to get it checked, the faster their teeth starts to decay.
Trouble Getting up: If you call your dog over and they’re not as thrilled or excited to greet you, the reason behind it may be a lot more serious than just them “getting lazy”. If he/she has a habit of lying or sitting on hard surfaces for a long period of time because they have troubles getting up, the source can most likely be coming from joint pain. The sooner you seek help, the faster your furry friend can get up and play with you again!
Cloudy Eyes: Cloudy eyes, or nuclear sclerosis, is common with aging dogs. This typically is a sign of cataracts which does demand for treatment, so once you notice a blur in your pup’s pupils, definitely seek for help before it worsens.
Gaining Weight: If you notice your dog gaining a few pounds, it can possibly be from thyroid issues or their metabolism slowing down. An easy fix would be lessening their food intake or simply switching off to a low-calorie based diet, but it’s always best to visit the vet to fully eliminate the chances of serious medical issues.