For a variety of reasons, some simply ego related, some emotional, dog owners, especially owners of large to giant sized breeds, are loath to mentally put their dogs in the category of "old", at ages which they feel are too soon. This in turn places their animal at a higher risk, as the owner may not recognize possible warning signs as quickly. The biggest stumbling block to protecting our pets that I=m seeing, is the lack or refusal of owners to recognize that their dog is within the "geriatric" time frame! In an interview with Jackie Lynn, a writer for Entrepreneur Magazine I found the perfect example:

Jessie is a 12-year-old female, chocolate standard poodle. A sweet and good-natured dog, Jessie is a little goofy, really dumb acting at times. She got into a fire ant nest when she was about 10 weeks old, and Jackie believes that it caused Jessie to be a bit "slow". She's allergic to fleas (skin allergies), and when she was about 7, she was also diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Jackie gives Jessie buffered aspirin for that, but only when she seems to feel especially poorly.

When Jessie was 9, she developed a subluxated cataract in her right eye. The ophthalmologist indicated that surgery was not his first choice due to the risk of the lens detaching during the surgery. Jackie has just monitored the condition, and Jessie's been fine.

Within the last year or so, Jessie became gradually increasingly lethargic. Telling herself that Jessie was just getting older and slowing down, that it didn't mean anything, Jackie ignored the problem.

Last fall, Jessie's left eye began clouding up. A trip to the vet confirmed that it was a normal part of aging, and not another cataract, that she still had vision in that eye. Fortunately there was nothing to be worried about, but he said he wanted to run some general blood tests. When dogs get to a certain age, he said, it's just a good idea to check certain blood levels. This vet has cared for Jessie for nine years, so Jackie trusted him explicitly.

The vet drew Jessie's blood. A phone call the next day from the vet asked me to schedule her for a fasting blood test. The results were that she has Cushing=s disease. The vet prescribed Lysodren and she is given a maintenance dose, and since beginning the drug, her energy levels have increased substantially. She's due for follow-up blood work next month, and appears to be doing fine. She wrestles with Abby (Jackie=s other dog, a Dane) regularly, and just seems overall brighter and happier since the diagnosis and treatment.

When Jackie gave Jessie a party for her 12th birthday in May, she was the life of the party B entertaining the guests for hours just by being her funny, goofy self, chasing the balloons, eating treats, etc.

Other than being concerned about the play between Jessie and Abby being a bit too rough for the poodle to tolerate, Jackie has the situation pretty much in hand. The minor setback of Cushing's did prove to Jackie that she now needs to be more vigilant watching for further signs of aging in Jessie. If the problem had been more severe, Jackie might have lost Jessie, because she refused to "see" the possible signs of aging. This was a valuable lesson to her, and should be to us all.

Knowing that geriatric problems are looming in the near future, Jackie is now prepared to do whatever is necessary in terms of observation, tests and treatments to maintain Jessie's quality of life.

When should you become concerned?
The onset of "old age" in dogs varies by breed and size. I researched for quite a while to come up with a solid base upon which most sources agree that "aging" will begin to manifest itself.

This chart indicates what most of the veterinary journals seem to agree upon from all my reading:

GERIATRIC ONSET AND SCREENING Chart

Dog Size Begin geriatric screening Typical onset age
<20 lbs (small) 7 years 10-13 years
21-50 lbs (med) 7 years 8-12 years
51-90 lbs (large) 6-7 years 7-10 years
>90 lbs (Giants) 5-7 years 5-9 years
*From: Geriatrics and the Gerontology of the Dog and Cat: Phil. WB Saunders 1996

Here is a list of symptoms that the canine health care giver should be alert for in geriatrics or dogs over the age of 5 years:

‚ Increased or decreased water consumption
‚ Enlarged abdomen
‚ Appetite changes

‚ Energy decrease
‚ coughing
‚ vomiting and/or diarrhea
‚ Lameness/ pain
‚ Bad breath
‚ Weight changes
‚ Swelling, lumps and bumps
‚ Behavior changes
‚ Incontinence/urinary problems
‚ Loss of hair
‚ Lower response to stimuli

Typical problems of the geriatric dog:

Arthritis:
General observations:
One of the most profound changes the aging dog tolerates is arthritis and pain related to aging bones. We can do many simple, inexpensive things at home to reduce the suffering and ease the comfort of our older dogs.

Keeping the dog indoors and giving him soft bedding will of course help him as it would a human. Adding moist heat to his joints by way of a hot water bottle, or damp warm towel around the joint is always appreciated, especially when an animal is particularly stiff, achy or limping more than usual. The moist heat is applied for a short period of time (20 minutes at most), and then repeated a few hours later. I like to recommend the use of rosemary (anti-inflammatory) compresses as an addition to moist heat.

Alfalfa taken internally is high in vitamins and minerals, detoxifies the body and promotes healthier joints. Willow is a natural pain reliever, and taken as an infused tea internally mixed with alfalfa and burdock, provides pain relief, and a nutritional boost.

Cosequin, a veterinary arthritis product or its base components Glucosamine and Chondroitin, can at times ease joint pains of many types. Adequan is now being used by some Veterinarians to treat achy older joints, and an added side effect that=s been noticed by some people treating dogs with Adequan is occasional clearing of clouded eyes.

A few other products that taken internally have been said to help Arthritis pain, are A.C.A. which is Pure ground alfalfa leaf, Calcium Ascorbate, (a form of Vitamin C), selenium, Vitamin E, and chromium, and Inflamaway, also for arthritis and hip dysplasia symptoms. Inflamaway is made of Yucca schidigera, Glucosamine HCL, and garlic, in a base of liver, and bonemeal. Another product called "Joint Care", has the same ingredients, and one called "Gluco-C" has the same plus antioxidants. Sea Pet Shark Cartilage, is a supplement supposed to alleviate the pain and swelling of arthritis.

WARNING: While the drug Rimadyl® has been developed to relieve the elderly dog of arthritis pain, and has extended many canine lives, it has definite risks. There have been deaths and illnesses attributed directly to the use of Rimadyl®. Pfizer, manufacturer of Rimadyl®, has been directed by FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, to make sure that veterinarians hand out an information sheet containing safety information for dog owners at the time Rimadyl® is dispensed.

For more info: http://www.doglogic.com/rimadyl.htm

Feeding
One thing I do is feed my tal dogs on raised surfaces, so that they need not bend, as it can be painful to a dog with arthritis. I buy specially made raised feeding stands which can be decorated quite beautifully, and make my dogs more comfortable as well.

There is a school of thought that changing the type of food you give to an arthritic dog can help. There are numerous formulations to choose from, but be careful what the foods ingredients are before deciding to change foods on an elderly dog. Changing to the wrong food can also make your dog more miserable. If you refer to my Article on Food & Feeding for more detail on correct diet, and the pitfalls of store bought foods, you will be better able top feed your elderly pet properly. Do not be trapped into feeding "Geriatric Diets". For the most part they are an advertising gimmick which could ultimately harm your pet, rather than help!

Bedding
The dog affected by arthritis, arthritic changes and hip dysplasia is in a similar situation as arthritic humans are. They find that weather changes, sleeping and lying on hard surfaces, and even what was once normal exercise usually brings on bearable to unbearable pain, as well as the reduction of mobility. By allowing the dog to rest on an orthopedic bed unique changes can occur to reduce and/or eliminate the dog's discomfort and/or reduced mobility. These beds do not restrict the circulation of the blood flow to and around the effected areas because there are no pressure points when the dog is lying on them. With an even weight distribution on the bed the dog rests more comfortably, and usually awakens with a reduced amount of stiffness.

Beds such as the patented Ortho-Bean Pet Bed offer the same type of resting area to that of a bean bag chair or a water bed for humans with added benefits. This bed has an open weave which allows for air to pass through, eliminating any heat build up that happens in a closed weave fabric. The way this bed is constructed it provides a natural nesting configuration, and has a controlled migration of the fill so it does not lose its density as the dog is resting on it.

Another item which seems to have a growing list of proponents is the Nikken Magnetic Pet Pad (Kenko PetPad). Supposedly, magnets ease arthritis pain in humans and dogs. Dogs benefit from the comfort of the lightweight material and the heat storing ceramic-insulating fibers, as well as the healing potential of the magnetic field.

Beds for incontinents
The incontinent dog benefits from the open weave of this bed for the fluid discharged goes right through the bed, while the dog stays dry. This eliminates the need for constant bathing, and in addition removes the danger of the dog contracting skin problems from lying in its own secretions. The soiled bed can be washed with a garden hose and air dried, with no odor retention.

Massage
Massage is another option that the owner of an arthritic or dog with age related pain can pursue to comfort their pet. An owner massaging their pet provides not only relaxation, but much needed contact as, older dogs need more and more human contact as they age. I used Linda Tellingtons T-Touch Video and books to learn to use T-Touch on my dogs. T-Touch and massage are both therapeutic to human and dog alike.

Touch is a basic need of all of us, and strongly affects the health and welfare of the being as a whole. Basic to the integrity of the bond between humans and dogs, TTouch and massage can help foster healing and increased communication, as well as provide comfort and a feeling of companionship.

In an arthritic or otherwise age debilitated animal, the lack of touch can quickly lead to a lack of will to live. Adding touch has been scientifically proven to help revive health and mental well being in the elderly.

The idea behind TTouch, is that it Stimulates cell intelligence, opening neural pathways to the brain by use of non-habitual movements@. Properly performed TTouch is a series of small, clockwise closed circles (the circles begin at the 6 o=clock position and end at the 8 o=clock position) of massage done lightly on the surface of the skin.

The Clouded Leopard is my favorite massage movement for an older animal who is quite skin sensitive.

Homeopathy
The theory behind Homeopathy is that like heals like. If a something in real life causes a specific symptom (like a bee sting causing swelling), then that same object (apis mellifica/bee venom) will heal a similar unrelated symptom of swelling or rash.

A few of the recommended homeopathic remedies for Arthritis are, Kali carbonica (potassium carbonate), Actea racemosa (black snakeroot) and Rhus tox (poison ivy). They all are for different symptoms of arthritis and joint type pains, and really should be Prescribed by a homeopath after a complete description of your dogs specific symptoms.

I will not mention homeopathic remedies for all of the conditions below, it would be a huge undertaking, as there are thousands of symptoms and remedies available for them by a homeopath. Please do consider contacting a homeopath for ANY condition discussed in this article. They may be able to find something that can help your dog.

END OF SECTION ONE
Eye problems:
Blindness, cataracts, etc.
Watching your dog for any changes in the eyes, you can almost always catch problems fairly quickly. Clouding of the eyes (a condition where the lens gradually becomes opaque due to the effects of aging, dry eyes or perhaps the first stages of cataracts), impending blindness (loss of vision characterized by fear of new places or open spaces), cataracts and retinal problems can be diagnosed properly only by your vet, but you can see the symptoms pretty easily. Confining a dog with these problems to a smaller space and not moving furniture articles, can help make your dog more secure and comfortable.

Eucalyptus and honey may be taken orally as a tea to help slow the effects of eye problems brought on by aging. Dr Pitcairn recommends Eucalyptus-honey eye drops placed in the lower eyelid of a dog with cataracts once a day. Treatment takes place over a period of weeks. Greater celandine tea can also be used as an eyewash in a dog with cataracts.

There are breakthrough surgeries available to correct some eye problems, but in an older dog, going through surgery can sometimes be too risky and stressful.

Dry eyes
A typical problem of the older dog, and the owner can make this problem less uncomfortable for their dog by keeping the eyes washed with a warm moist towel, applying saline solution to the corners of the eyes at intervals. The celandine tea wash described above can be used and in the worst cases, a veterinarian can prescribe boric acid ointment, or Optimune, an expensive but effective solution.

Dental problems:
The older dog can begin to experience dental problems just as we do. A variety of factors can cause tooth problems in an older dog, and can be prevented by simple cleaning on a regular basis. I use a human toothbrush on my dogs, and brush at least once a week with a drop of eucalyptus oil and baking soda.

I give raw beef leg bones at least once a week, and watch carefully for chipping. If the bones chip, be sure to remove them. Raw bones should not chip, but instead should fray, removing much of the danger of tooth damage, and providing the needed tooth cleaning and increasing circulation to gums, which in turn promotes gum health. As well, this satisfies the urge to gnaw or chew. Remove the bones after a couple of days.

Cardiac problems:
Eating meals spread out is much easier on the heart in an older animal. It allows the body to handle the meal much more efficiently, and puts less stress on the heart. Please do not feed your dog only once a day.....frequent smaller meals are better.

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce the frequency of blood clots and possibly lower blood pressure as well. The easiest way to get your dog this, is to feed fatty fish(tuna or herring) a couple times a week. I use Back To Basics food, which contains fish meal (herring) and fills the need for Omega-3 fatty acids in my dogs. Selenium is a mineral which helps keep Cardiac health at an optimum, BUT is poisonous if overdosed. Use with caution.

Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmias, Heart Murmurs
Cardiomyopathy is enlargement of the heart. Many factors bring it on, exactly why is unknown at this point. It is not an uncommon occurrence in older dogs, and can be treated to extend the pets life if caught early. Signs to watch for include swollen extremities, noisy or difficulty breathing and lack of energy. Arrhythmias and murmurs are usually present earlier on in a dog's life and may go unnoticed until aging exaggerates the problem.

Deafness

As a dog ages, the ears, just like ours, begin to fail. A tilting head should be watched for, since it can signal punctured eardrums or infection. Excessive barking can also signal a loss of hearing, as the dog becomes distressed because of the lack of sensory input. Nothing can be done to prevent normal hearing loss due to age, but infections can also cause deafness if not treated in a timely fashion, these can be prevented. Looking for discolored wax is one way to keep an eye out for problems. The normal color for earwax is clear yellow and sparse. Keep an eye on the ears and if you notice discolored wax or deposits in the ear, have the animal checked immediately.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that can be brought on by age, often due to diseases that cause pancreatic problems. The symptoms are extreme thirst, hunger and constant, frequent urination. Smelling sweet breath from your pet is a sure clue that he is ill with this disease. It is important to watch for this condition, as it is treatable or manageable, but must be caught as soon as possible to prevent extreme illness or perhaps even death if left untreated.

A sugar free, preservative free diet and some foods and herbs are helpful in diabetes management. Foods recommended Include grated carrots, Jerusalem Artichokes, garlic and alfalfa. (Alfalfa is also useful against joint pain). Herbs include alfalfa, parsley and periwinkle. Yarrow contains insulin like properties and goldenseal is known as having the ability to significantly reduce blood sugar.

Any animal with diabetes MUST have its sugar levels monitored constantly as changing blood sugar levels require different insulin adjustments. If your dog's blood sugar levels can be kept under control with diet and herbal remedies, he will be much better off. If you are unable to do so, then proceed with insulin treatments.

Vets treat diabetes with insulin, but a dog owner can help by making sure that the affected dog gets plenty of exercise as diabetes is exacerbated by obesity. Also lowering your pets weight by feeding frequent small meals will help keep the diabetes under control.

Digestive System:
Appetite Changes/Weight Problems
Decreased appetite is normal in a less active dog. Increased appetite also takes place in sedentary dogs because of boredom. You need to watch for the marked change in appetite, which could indicate kidney or other problems. An increase in appetite can also cause obesity, which can compound other age-related problems.

Adding extra fiber to your dogs diet is a good way to help an obese pet lose weight, and help keep the dogs belly full as well. A simple way to add fiber to your dogs diet is adding a bit of chopped or ground raw green beans, carrots and / or broccoli to the food dish every day. I blend any or all of those in my food processor, and my dogs line up anxiously for the resulting soup.

The jury is still out on this next bit of info, but research evidence is piling up indicating that a low protein and phosphorous diet can retard kidney failure, which according to vets is the third most common cause of death in geriatric dogs.

I have been feeding my dogs according to this philosophy, in hopes that the lower protein will increase their longevity. The kidneys are responsible for processing protein, and the more protein you feed an animal, the heavier the load on the kidneys. Less protein means longer life.

I also use the books "Give Your Dog a Bone", by Dr Ian Billinghurst, Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, by Diane Stein and "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats", as guides to feeding my dogs. I do feed a kibble diet still, but us these books to help make that diet as well rounded and healthy as I can. Both books are based on the premise that when fed a natural whole food diet, animals are far healthier than if fed cooked and processed foods. This is very important in preventing problems as a dog ages, and can be instrumental in increasing the comfort and digestion of an older dog.

I also recommend certain supplements for easing digestion and increasing the ability of the digestive system to work as efficiently as possible. These include SBGA, Enzymes and probiotics. The SBGA and enzymes are available from Cell-Tech, the Probiotics I use are by Fastrack.

Alfalfa is an excellent herb balancing the diet and helping digestion, and has a high amount of nutrient value to boot.
(END OF SECTION TWO)

Intestinal
Nausea, Ulcers
These problems can all be indicative of other organic problems, or side effects of medicine the dog is on for other age related problems (i.e.: rimadyl or aspirin for arthritis). The best way to be sure is to ask your vet to examine your dog as soon as you see the symptoms. Prevention can be as simple as not administering drugs if they are causing the problems. Substituting a good replacement therapeutic supplement like Arth-9 or Cosequin for joint therapy may help pain, and reduce the burden on he intestinal tract.

Bloat
For some reason, bloat prone breeds tend to bloat more often as they age. No one seems to know why, or when it will occur. We do know that feeding taller dogs from raised feeding stands, frequent small meals, and reducing exercise around mealtime can help reduce the chances of bloat. Also making digestion easier by using simple additions to the diet such as fiber, Fastrack, enzymes, yogurt and other probiotic sources can help.

Abnormal stools, Urine

Investigate any of the above symptoms immediately as they can be indicative of significant problems. Speed of diagnosis can allay your fears and catch any potentially hazardous conditions before they become more serious.

Masses, Cysts and Tumors
Again, when problems are caught soon, they can usually be controlled and the damage be kept to a minimum. Weekly exams should be performed on ANY animal of any age, to check for abnormalities on or under the skin. Once your dog reaches the age listed on the charts for geriatric care, it is imperative that these exams be done regularly. Waiting will only exacerbate the effects any impending problems.

Once discovered, simple masses, like your veterinarian can remove fatty tumors easily. Cysts are fluid filled sacs, and usually harmless. Others problems whether cancerous or not, are more easily dealt with on a timely basis.

Prevention of some skin problems (such as cancer) is fairly simple. Keeping an eye on cuts and scratches helps, as does paying attention to your pet and how much sun he gets. I use hats made by a company called U-Dog-U to protect my dog's eyes and heads in heat and sun. These hats have special pockets to insert cold packs, which keep the head cool and moist.

A wet-down towel is also useful. Usually made of terry cloth and fastened around the belly with Velcro, these towels can be soaked in ice water and wrung out before wearing. This helps prevent overheating as well as protection form the suns effects.

Nasal Discharge
Runny noses can indicate your dog's reaction to a simple air temperature/dryness change, or it could indicate a sinus problem. Anytime a significant increase of nasal mucous is observed, the first thing to do is check with your vet to make sure that it is not a more serious infection or disease.

If the problem is simple sinusitis, then there are a few steps you can take to make your pet more comfortable. Using a vaporizer to hydrate the air or running hot water in your bathroom to steam it up in a dry home helps ease symptoms. Also, gently rubbing the face around the eyes and nose, or warming the muzzle with a warm damp face cloth, can relieve stuffiness.

Dogs can have seasonal allergies too, some believe that strengthening the immune system with products such as SBGA can decrease or prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

Overweight/Underweight
Overweight dogs can be helped by the methods discussed elsewhere in this article, by lowering feed intake, spreading out meals and increasing exercise.

Underweight dogs are usually so as a side effect of another problem such as an ulcer maybe, or the side effect of a drug it is taking making it nauseous or miserable. Nutri-Cal is a supplement used to supplement calories when dog is not eating properly/enough, and can assist a dog in gaining weight. Nutri-Cal can be found at almost any feed supply store, as it is used primarily to supplement the diet of weaning and ill pups.

Pale Mucous Membranes
I make brief mention of this here as a preventive measure only. If you ever see the gums, eyelid linings or any other normally pink membranes turn pale, get to your veterinarian quickly. This is an indicator of possible internal bleeding or other serious problems.

Skin problems
With the onset of age, dog skin can become dry and the fur brittle. Increasing fat intake and improving diet can help improve the condition of skin and hair. As a dog ages, the ability of the body to process fats becomes limited, so providing a highly digestible and non irritating form of fat such as flaxseed oil, is very helpful in keeping coat and skin in condition. Again, here the immune system is usually primarily to blame for skin problems. Using N'zymes product can boost immune system function, and when aided by a good quality food, can extend your pets comfort.
*********
*********
For simple skin irritations, we wash the area thoroughly with warm water, pat dry and apply Gold Bond Powder or corn starch, several times a day. I use SBGA mixed with water in a paste form to apply over sore or irritated spots. I don=t do this with open wounds, but it has remarkable healing effects on irritated skin. Dermasol, a topical product prescribed by a veterinarian, can be used for hot-spots, licking, scratching and biting problems.***********

Urinary tract problems/Incontinence
Urinary tract problems are usually signaled by excessive urination, frequent indoor accidents, blood in the urine or excessive drinking. Encouraging your dog to void frequently helps, but if you see the dog straining with no results, see a vet fast. Incontinence in bitches can be attributed many times to lower estrogen, and can be simply treated by hormone therapy.

***************
The simplest solution for increasing acidity in the urine, therefore helping stave off urinary tract problems, is adding cranberry or other citrus juice to your dogs diet (really!). My veterinarian Dr Eric Bloomfield recommends this INSTEAD of specially prepared veterinary diets, and it works like charm. I use this on my animals when the animal has a UTI or if the animal has a propensity toward urinary tract problems.

There is a product on the market that is supposed to help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections called Urinary Acidifier, available through the Drs Foster and Smith catalog.***********

Sources and References

The kennel, Gilshire Kennels, in Tacoma, Washington, is owned by Elizabeth Thompson, a former breeder of Old English Sheepdogs, Dalmatians and Shih-Tzus for over 20 years. Her experience with those breeds, and current experience with her boarders has contributed to her vast pool of wisdom about aging dogs. Much of her knowledge has been generously shared with me. I recommend anyone in the area needing an elderly dog boarded, contact Elizabeth at Gilshire Kennels.

Owners of elder dogs should visit a website called Senior Dogs at: http://www.srdog.com, which is a remarkable collection of information for the owners of older dogs. Also there's another website, Senior Dog Rescue Society, whose sole purpose is to save from euthanasia and place in caring homes, elderly and aging dogs, which are normally difficult to place. The URL for this site is, www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9703 . I suggest strongly that anyone who can help care for an elder dog contact Jude Fine, the webmaster, at: olddoglady@writeme.com.

There is a great book that should be in every home with pets called "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats". Published by Rodale Press, and assembled by the editors of Prevention Magazine Health books, it is an excellent source of information for the layperson.
**********************
Ortho-Bean :1-800-903-2326 http://www.ortho-bean.com
Ortho-Bean pet beds

DogLogic.com 904-287-8824 FAX: 904-287-6176  http://www.doglogic.com/books.htm
Dog & Cat Book Catalog 800-776-2665 FAX 509-662-7233
T-Touch video and books

Dr. Stephen Tobin 203-238-9863 26 Pleasant St. Meriden, CT 06450
Homeopathic Preparations

Dr Michaels Herbs: New York, NY 1-773-271-7738
Bronson Vit. & Herbals 800-235-3200
Springtime Nat. Remedies 800 521-3212
Herbs

NIKKEN distributor: Mary Ann Land 612-494-9732
Nikken magnetic beds

Cherrybrook Catalog:www.cherrybrook.com 800-524-0820
Dermasol, Sea Pet Shark Cartilage, Nutri-Cal

The Natural Pet Catalog 800-962-8266:
The following are all from The Natural Pet Care Catalog:
A.C.A.-
Inflamaway,

Drs. Foster & Smith : 800-826-7206
Joint Care, Urinary Acidifier

Sojourner Farms: 313-994-3974, 1-800-767-6567

Seasonals Incontinence Pants
The Natural Pet 800-962-8266