| There is a large disparity between the life spans of | | | | cause life-threatening conditions. |
| dogs and humans. After having loved a pet and lost | | | | 5. Keep Close Tabs. In general, "outdoor" free |
| one, it seems unfair. The best we can do is to keep | | | | roaming dogs have shorter lives than indoor animals. |
| our friends as healthy as possible and "forever | | | | Infectious diseases, poisonings and trauma are |
| young." Here are My Top 10 Ways to Keep Your | | | | common killers. Senior dogs have decreased reflexes |
| Dog Forever Young: | | | | and may not see and hear as well as they used to. |
| 1. Know When Your Pet is "Old." The time when your | | | | This makes them vulnerable to outside dangers such |
| dog is considered a "senior" depends largely on his or | | | | as predators or cars. Keep dogs on leashes or in |
| her breed and size. According to Dr. Johnny Hoskins | | | | fenced-in yards. |
| in Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat, | | | | 6. Monitor Your Environment. Keep poisons up and |
| small breed dogs (less than 20 pounds) are in their | | | | out of your dog's reach. Common toxins include |
| senior years around nine to 13 years of age. Medium | | | | antifreeze, rat poison and slug bait. Keep trash out of |
| sized dogs (21 to 50 pounds) around nine to 11. 5 | | | | reach. Don't count on your pet to "know better." It |
| years; large breed dogs (51 to 90 pounds) around 7.5 | | | | doesn't take a large amount of a dangerous |
| to 10.5 years and giant dogs (more than 90 pounds) | | | | substance to make your dog seriously ill. |
| between six and nine years. In general, smaller breed | | | | 7. Nutrition. Feed your pet a premium high quality diet |
| dogs live longer. | | | | supplements such as Hill's Science DietÂ(R), |
| 2. Wellness Exams. When your pet is considered a | | | | IamsÂ(R) or EukanubaÂ(R). Feed low |
| senior, you should bring your dog for regular geriatric | | | | fat and high fiber foods since high fat and/or low |
| examinations. These examinations help identify early | | | | fiber foods are thought to decrease life expectancy. |
| diseases or problems in older pets. Exams should | | | | Minimize treats and make them nutritious and low in |
| include a history and physical examination with | | | | calories. Air-popped popcorn is often a good treat for |
| evaluation of the teeth, listening to the heart and | | | | dogs. With your veterinarian, you should discuss the |
| lungs (by stethoscope), abdominal palpation (feeling | | | | merits of a diet formulation for your senior dog. |
| of the abdomen) and inspection of your dog's ear | | | | 8. Exercise. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy body |
| and eyes. Weight monitoring, parasite check (fecal | | | | weight, strengthens joints and muscles and provides |
| examination) and blood work and urine tests are also | | | | mental stimulation for your dog. |
| often recommended. Other tests may be indicated | | | | 9. Spay and Neuter. Spayed and neutered dogs tend |
| depending on your pet's symptoms. | | | | to have fewer health problems. Spaying is the |
| 3. Watch for Illness. Careful observation at home is | | | | removal of the ovaries and uterus. Without these |
| extremely important. By nature of survival, dogs are | | | | organs, ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer |
| very good at hiding their illness until it is too late. | | | | of the reproductive tract are no longer a concern. |
| Take time to examine your pet. Feel him or her for | | | | Studies have shown that dogs spayed before |
| masses and indications of weight loss or loss of | | | | puberty have a significantly lower chance of |
| musculature. Things to watch for include changes in | | | | developing breast cancer than unspayed dogs, or |
| water consumption or patterns of urination, poor | | | | dogs spayed later in life. Health problems that can be |
| appetite, weight loss or gain, coughing or difficulty | | | | associated with birthing are also eliminated with |
| breathing, changes in activity level, vomiting, diarrhea | | | | spaying. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. |
| and skin lumps or masses. If you have questions or | | | | Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a |
| concerns about your pet, play it safe and have him | | | | concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced. |
| or her evaluated by your veterinarian. Early diagnosis | | | | In addition, the desire to "wander" is diminished, which |
| is vital to the success of treatment. | | | | lowers the chance of your dog running away and |
| 4. Weight Control. Obese dogs have shorter life | | | | suffering trauma, such as being hit by a car. |
| spans than non-obese dogs. Obesity may lead to a | | | | 10. Mental Stimulation. Provide your pet with toys, |
| number of health problems. Excess weight puts | | | | games and quality time. Most pets are never too old |
| excess stress on your dog's heart. When the heart | | | | to play. Encourage mental stimulation. It is never too |
| doesn't function properly, other organs may suffer | | | | late to teach old dogs new tricks. Follow these top |
| including the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. Over time, | | | | 10 tips, and you'll keep your dog forever young. |
| these problems may become severe enough to | | | | |