What is the most important thing to know about caring for a senior dog?

I think the most important thing I want all of my clients to know is that when they have a senior pet, they age a lot faster, and a lot of things can be very subtle. So, I highly recommend getting them in more frequently because there's a lot of things that we can notice that owners might not.

Dr. Keli Vandenheuvel
Animal Oasis of the Rockies

What is the life expectancy of a dog?

It depends on the breed. Smaller breed dogs tend to live a lot longer, whereas larger breeds like a Great Dane have a life expectancy of more like eight to ten years.

How does getting older impact the health of my dog?

Like I mentioned before, they definitely age a lot faster, and things can be very subtle but very important, especially with mobility and other issues. As they get older, they just age so much faster.

How can wellness care extend the life and vitality of my dog?

One of the examples that I like to use is dental disease. Dental disease is linked to kidney and heart disease in pets, so I highly recommend that you get your pet in more frequently for checkups. Taking care of their teeth is clinically proven to make them live longer.

What are the most common problems in senior dogs?

In our senior dogs, I would say mobility issues are very common. It's very subtle; all of a sudden, people are talking about how their dog used to be a puller but now doesn’t pull. That can actually be a sign of some mobility issues that need to be addressed.

Does my dog still need regular wellness exams as they get older?

Yes, and in-fact, they need them more often because, as I keep saying, they age so much faster. They need checkups every three to six months if possible.

What will my veterinarian be looking for when examining my senior dog?

A lot of times when we're examining a senior pet, it's a lot of discussion. I like to talk to my clients about things like how the dog is getting up and down the stairs, whether they still chase after the red ball they like, or if they still bark at the mailman. A lot of it is a conversation because things that you may not notice, I pick up on. For example, if your dog is not barking at the mailman anymore, that could be a sign of potential hearing issues. I also palpate their joints, look at their teeth and vision, and highly recommend blood work on my senior patients because there's just so much we can do to intervene and extend their lives, including checking blood pressure.

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