Dog Health : How to Care for Older Dogs With Joint Pain
When older dogs have joint pain, there are a number of products that can be used for treatment, such as duralactin. Find out how nutraceuticals are used to treat joint pain with help from a veterinarian in this free video on joint pain in older dogs. Expert: Gregory McDonald Contact: www.petpointers.com Bio: Dr. Gregory McDonald earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ohio State University in 1979.
Special Pet Care Needs For Older Dogs
The average lifespan for most dogs is between eight and sixteen years. Some breeds age expectancy is less while other breeds normally have a longer lifespan. Once your dog becomes older it is time to take some preventative steps in order for them remain healthy, happy and active. Have your vet examine your pet annually or more often, if necessary. Veterinarians understand the different breed types and are familiar with problems you may encounter with your pet. They watch for this and make you aware of what to look for, if your dog is acting a little different.
As in humans, keep your dogs weight within the proper or optimum range. An overweight dog has far more health problems such as joint problems, arthritis, diabetes and liver or kidney malfunctions. If your dog is too heavy, buy dog treats low in sugar and salt or purchase dog cookies especially made for overweight dogs, which are low in calories. Also, cut down on the amount of treats given to your pet. It is hard to resist their soulful eyes but always remember that it is for their own good. You do not want to kill your pet by thinking you are being kind to them. Feed your pet once a day or smaller amounts twice a day but remove the food if there is any left. If you have children, explain to them why they should not sneak food to the family pet.
Pre-soak or add water to the dog’s dry food if they have lost some teeth or have dental problems. Daily brushing helps prevent problems but always use toothpaste made specifically for pets, not humans. Start brushing your pet’s teeth when they are young, so they are used to the routine. Have their teeth examined annually by the vet, as they may need to have some pulled or professionally cleaned.
As with dogs of any age, make sure there is always fresh, cool water available. Some older dogs have problems getting to the water bowl so either take the water to them or place bowls of water in several different places so they do not have to go far for a drink.
If possible take your dog for a short walk daily. This helps the dog’s blood circulation and provides some new sights and smells to stimulate them and it gives you quality time to spend with your pet.
Unfortunately, dogs suffer from arthritis just like humans. Keep your dogs weight down and feed him food especially formulated for older dogs, as this does help. Talk to your vet because there is medication available that often makes your pet more comfortable and move easier. Supplements are available, but always check with your veterinarian before giving these to your dog.
Many great orthopedic dog beds are available. Some are made of memory foam and there are heated beds available. An older dog needs good support and warmth for their aging body. Dog beds are easies for your pet to get into than a sofa or your bed.
Looking after your senior pet and taking him to the vet regularly helps keep your dog healthy and happy longer.
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Helpful Tips for Dog Training an Older Dog
Training older dogs can sometimes be quite the challenge but it is not, by all means, impossible. You just have to do the right amount of research and take some extra time being patient with them and as well very consistent ofcourse. Without those attributes, you are just asking for one huge disappointment no doubt. It would be best to get yourself some books on dog training of older dogs and also try and take some time out to do a little bit more research on the internet, there you will definitely find all kinds of different information out about this type of thing and why it is so important to research it beforehand. Dog training comes in many different styles and techniques and some people would rather train their dogs themselves than to pay some professional who they do not even know to do it for them. While others would prefer to pay some professional to do it, either because they just do not have the time or they could not possibly have enough patience to do it themselves. As long as it does get done is what is the most important, not who does it or which techniques are used.
It is so very important to keep in mind that some older dogs might have a little more difficulty getting trained for many different reasons. Knowing what reasons they could be is also very important. Many older dogs tend to have more trouble hearing their owner, so listening is not always the easiest task for them. This is why it is so very important to educate yourself on this type of thing so that you do not lose your patience when attempting to train your older dog. You should also be informed that they will probably be a little bit more stubborn as well, which can also be truly frustrating for any owner. It would be best, when you are trying to use some dog training techniques on your older dog, that you try and do it in smaller periods, spacing out the time will prevent your dog from getting too exhausted. Keep in mind the entire time you are trying to train them that they are much older and much more likely to be a little slower at catching on to your commands, so patience is so very important and ofcourse a really big heart.
If you are wanting to potty train your older dog, remember that they will more than likely have some trouble along the way for different reasons, and one of those reasons in older dogs that potty training is so difficult is because sometimes older dogs tend to have bladder control issues. So, if you have been trying to potty train your older dog and have not yet been successful, this could be the issue that your dog is having. Nobody ever said dog training would be the easiest task. Be patient, loving and very understanding when you are dog training your older dog and it should work out pretty good.
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How To Treat Hyperplasia In Older Male Dogs
Hyperplasia of the prostate gland refers to an enlargement of the gland due to an increase in the number of cells in the gland. Two out of three dogs suffer from this condition. However, only a small proportion of these dogs show any visible signs of abnormality. It is speculated that the condition is caused by unbalanced production of hormones in the aging testicles. The prostate is placed directly below the rectum of the dog and the enlarged gland may cause discomfort in defecation and even constipation.
Hyperplasia can be treated with the help of mediations. The medical treatment consists of estrogen injections. These injections reduce the size of the prostate within six days. After the injections, other symptoms too shall disappear. The injection prevents the gland from being enlarged for a few months. Sometimes, the injection can prevent recurrence for several years at a stretch. Very few dogs get no benefit from this treatment. For such dogs, castration is the only remedy.
If your dog does not recover with the help of the injections, then it will have to undergo castration. Castration involves surgery and your dog will have to stay in the hospital for the same. The dog should be home a few days after the operation. However, this does not mean the dog can be allowed to move about immediately after the operation. You should keep the dog quiet and resting for at least a week. Give a low bulk diet to keep the dog in check. After the operation, there may be some pain and discomfort due to the stitches. Prevent the dog from biting or licking the stitches. Use restraint collars and even tranquilizers for a short period after the operation. Once the stitches can be removed, the dog can be allowed more freedom.
Another dangerous disease of the prostate is the cancer of the prostate. This disease is rare in dogs. By the time noticeable symptoms of the disease appear, it is too late for any remedial action to take effect. Hence, it is indeed a blessing that this disease is very rare in dogs. The noticeable symptoms include severe loss of weight, lameness, pain, difficulty in urination, blood flow in beginning of urination and low back pain. Castration or estrogen therapy offers temporary relief. Immunotherapy may be successful but this treatment is still in its research stage.
If your aged dog begins to urinate in the house despite being housebroken, always assume that the dog is facing a medical problem. Get your dog checked for a bladder or kidney problem. If no problem is found, only then should you chastise him for being disobedient.
Unless your dog suffers from serious problems like heart problems, exercise will never cause harm to the dog, irrespective of its age. Of course, the exercises done by the dog should not be excessive or unreasonable. You cannot expect your aged dog to hump hurdles. If the exercise is not very tiring, it will only provide benefits to the dog.
Authored by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies – to find dog steps in all shapes and sizes, visit http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-steps/
Introducing a New Puppy to an Older Dog
If you are like most people you’ve probably bought a new puppy without really thinking about how to introduce it to an older dog. It’s not enough just to buy the same breed, or even size, as the older dog – much more work has to go into the successful integration than that.
The very first thing you should do if you can – is to bring the scent of the new puppy home. Buy bedding for the new dog and rub the smell of your new puppy (hopefully still with it’s mother or in the pet store) all over it. Then bring the bedding home and put it in a corner of the house. Reward your dog for sniffing the scent. If you have the scent on your clothes be sure to give extra attention to the older dog. That way you are reinforming a positive reaction to the smell. Keep the smell around as often as possible before the puppy arrives.
On the day the puppy is due to arrive then it’s a good idea not to have any visitors or children around. They would tend to fuss over the new puppy – immediately upsetting the older dog and his understanding of his social group. So allow just one or two adults to be there for the introduction. Let the older dog sniff the younger dog. Then take the younger dog to a safe area of the house – perhaps into a closed bedroom or laundry. Allow the two dogs to sniff at each other under the gap between the door. This may often be enough contact for the first few days.
Don’t try to soon to feed the dogs at the same time. The puppy is likely to want to sniff or try to eat the older dogs food and this could cause an aggressive response. Instead, when you are ready to let the puppy out of the “safe zone”, let the dogs be together in a netural environment without food – say why the family is in the backyard, or watching TV. Make sure to pat and pay attention to the older dog first – maintaining the pecking order, before paying attention to the younger dog.
Doing this slowly means you older dog will start to get used to the younger dog being a part of the family – but on the lowest rung of the pecking order. At any stage if you notice the older dog playing or sniffing the younger one feel free to reward them with a treat – again, reinforce the positive behaviour.
Apart from reinforcing the positive behaviour, you need NOT step in for the negative behaviour, within reason. Some growling or hackle raising is normal, and event the odd paw across the head from the older dog to the young dog is nothing to be concerned about. This is just the two animals working out their rank in life. If you step in at this stage you are really telling the older dog that you rank the younger dog more important and that you (the alpha of the house) are protecting the puppy – thus changing the rank of the animals. This can lead to more aggression, not less.
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