Older dogs are more likely to get specific, age related illnesses. Of course you will provide your dog with regular medical care during its lifetime, but that care will never be more important at any stage in your dog’s life than during the senior years. Identifying problems early can save your pet’s life. Listed below are the most frequently seen geriatric canine illnesses and diseases.

Canine Obesity

As a dog owner, you can definitely control your dog’s diet. The choices you make will greatly affect your dog’s health and life expectancy. A healthy diet and a regular exercise routine are just as important to your elderly canine as they are to you. The best way to stay in control of your dog’s weight is by ensuring that it exercises regularly and by only feeding your dog a healthy, natural meal (as suggested by your veterinarian) on a regular meal schedule and not off your plate.

Canine Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis

Each of these conditions is quite common and has been seen in all breeds of dogs. Hip dysplasia is more often seen in the larger canine breeds. Both diseases are genetically inherited in several breeds of dogs. Neither arthritis nor hip dysplasia has a cure, but the pain can be managed in both diseases.

Keeping your canine in the appropriate weight range is one way to reduce the pain and misery caused by hip dysplasia and arthritis. Indicators of arthritis in your dog include an inability to settle down at night, trouble managing uncarpeted floors and steps, and difficulty rising. Stiffness in the morning, an altered bearing, hopping instead of walking, and trouble going up and down the stairs are signs of hip dysplasia.

Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis

Dental Diseases affect dogs of all ages, but they affect older dogs in large numbers. The inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis, is one of these painful diseases that results in bleeding and swollen gums. The pouches around the gum lines engulf bacteria and food fragments, and this makes the situation even worse. The accumulation of the bacteria may lead to more serious problems like kidney, heart, and liver diseases.

Of course, these are diseases that can be avoided and controlled with a little tender, love, and care. Regular brushing and rinsing of your dog’s teeth makes a huge difference.

Vision Issues

Your eyesight grows worse as you get older and so will your dog’s. Dog illnesses that often appear as dogs grow older are keratoconjunctivitis (dry eyes) and cataracts. Cataracts are suspected when the canine has cloudy eyes, and keratoconjunctivitis is indicated by inflammation of the inner eyelids.

Dog Senility (also known as Cognitive Dysfunction Disorder)

Canines with this condition are usually treated orally with Anipryl or its generic, cheaper counterpart Selegiline. Selegiline can be obtained in tablets in the quantities of 30 mg, 15 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg, and 2 mg. The dog’s mass will decide the quantity of Selegiline needed. Once the medicine is proven effective, the veterinarian might keep your pet on it forever.

Drug Interaction Concerns: Canines that are being treated for parasites or who are already taking antidepressant medications should not take Anipryl. Before a veterinarian prescribes this medicine, other brain related conditions such be eliminated as the cause of the reoccurring symptoms. The symptoms of dog senility may consist of the following:

• Disorientation and forgetfulness (the dog may not remember how to go up and down the steps)
• Unusual aggression
• Late night walking back and forth
• Uncontrollable bathroom urges inside the residence
• A decrease in activity
• Inability to remember friends and family
• Looking intently into space but at nothing in particular