Is there a specific older dog illness that you would like to know more about? We've listed the most common health concerns for senior dogs below. Just like us, as our dog's age, they too become susceptible to certain problems and diseases.

While it is important to provide your dog with routine veterinary care at any age, it is critical during their twilight years.

Early detection often prevents larger problems down the road. The following are the most common disease and illnesses facing old dogs.

Older Dog Illness & Health Problems To Watch Out For

If there is anything at all that you have complete control over as a dog owner, it's your dog's diet and weight. You open the flood gates for disease and other health issues when you allow your dog to get too heavy. It's unfortunate, because many dog owners become lackadaisical with their dog's diet.

Weight management and exercise are extremely important to your geriatric dog.

Obesity - On The Rise For People And Pets

It's important that you regulate your older dog's weight by not over feeding at meal time and by limiting the amount of treats you feed. Avoid giving your dog a little of everything you eat.

Unsure About The Right Food For Your Older Dog

It's also vital that your senior dog be fed a high quality protein source. It wasn't so long ago that it was believed that older dogs required less protein. This led to total confusion as to what we should be feeding our geriatric dogs. For years, dog owners were led to believe that once the dog becomes a senior, it's time for one of those low fat, low protein formulas. NOT TRUE! Don't reduce the amount of your dog's protein just because of his age.

Here from Dr. Becker why it's so important to NOT DECREASE your older dog's protein. Dr. Becker talks protein in older dogs.

Like us, dogs are different and they are indeed individual. We've had senior dogs that could easily become obese if we weren't careful with their diet and on the other hand, we've had older dogs who lose muscle and appear very skinny even though they eat well. The bottom line is that your dog's individual needs may differ from another senior dog. We now know that older dogs don't need less protein, but better protein sources.

By feeding a superior quality protein source and all natural dog food, you can help your dog to remain strong and healthy while satisfying his hunger at the same time. Any of the brands on our 10 best dog food list are good choices.

Keep in mind that the federal guidelines (if any) are very relaxed when it comes to pet food labeling, so don't assume because the food says "Senior Formula" that it's everything your old friend needs.

*Tip: No matter what your dog's age, give him a little fresh meat or a good canned food such as Wellness Ninety-Five Percent formula which is simply meat (this formula is not balanced and MUST be fed in addition to a balanced dog food like those on our list).

Last but not least, take your dog for at least one good daily walk or several small walks throughout the day.

Excellent Supplements For Your Old Dog - Older Dog Illness

There are several supplements that your old fur baby can benefit from on a regular basis. Something as simple as a nutritional supplement can make all the difference in the world for your old friend:

• Multi-vitamin - A good multi-vitamin can really give your old dog a boost. We especially like Animal Essential's vitamin for dogs (it's a powder) because of the all natural high end ingredients.

We Call These "The Core 3 Products" That Every Old Dog Needs - Our Dogs Routinely Take All Three Of These Products

1. Fatty Acids - Critical to your old friend. Dogs of all ages should be given fatty acids with their meal and they should come from a good source that is guaranteed free of heavy metals and toxins. Dogs with diseases such as kidney, liver and heart disease must have omega 3 fatty acids in their diet. DO NOT RELY ON THE DOG FOOD REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE PACKAGING SAYS!
2. Live Micro-organisms aka Probiotics - These "live" organisms are extremely beneficial to your dog's complete digestive tract. Healthy bacteria hels tremendously with excessive gas and other bowel problems.
3. Enzymes - Responsible for the absorption of food. A common problem that many dog owners struggle with is that they feed a high quality food, but their dog still has digestive issues. Noisy belly, dog is always hungry, stool problems, etc. are common symptoms of dogs who have difficulty digesting their food. Digestive enzymes break the food down and help your dog to absorb the vitamins/minerals in the food. Many dogs suffering with disease will lose weight (wasting) because the body can't soak up the nutrients in the food and enzymes often help.

Arthritis And Hip Dysplasia - Older Dog Illness

Both are common and affect all breeds, yet Hip Dysplasia usually impacts the large and giant breeds. For many breeds, both diseases are hereditary. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either and it's a matter of reducing the pain.

Again, one critical part of managing your dog's Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia is to keep your dog at a healthy weight. This alone can really ease your dog's pain. A hard time getting up or walking stairs; trouble getting around on hardwood, tile or linoleum floors and restless nights are all symptoms of arthritis.

Stiffness in the morning, bunny hopping, altered gait (dog keeps back legs close to one another) and again difficulty with steps are symptoms of hip dysplasia.

Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease - Older Dog Illness

Dental disease is such an unnecessary but huge problem facing geriatric dogs. Veterinarians indicate that dental disease in dogs is actually the largest health issue facing dogs of all ages.

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums is a very painful condition which causes inflammation around the gumline and causes the gums to bleed as well. Deep chambers develop around the gums causing pieces of food to get trapped leading to bacteria under the gumline. This bacteria is believed to contribute towards much larger health problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease.

Again, this is a health issue that dog owners can control with a little TLC and effort. We use a wonderful all natural product to clean our dogs teeth. It's an excellent product that removes old plaque and tarter simply by spraying the teeth (they have a gel formula as well).

We adopt all of our dogs from shelters and rescue, so we have very little knowledge of their history. What we do know is that many come to us with oral problems.

Here's How To Clean Up Your Dog's Teeth At Home

We've been using the spray for a long time now with very successful results. It truly doesn't get any easier than spraying or wiping a gel on your dog's teeth and seeing positive results.

You can read our product review that we did on DentaSure here if you like.

Eye Problems - Older Dog Illness

Part of old dog care is to keep an eye on your old friend's eyes. :o) Just like people, a dog's eye sight usually worsens with age. Common dog illnesses affecting the eye are Cataracts and Keratoconjunctivitis (Dry Eye). A cloudy eye is and indication of Cataracts while inflammation on the inner eyelid could be a symptom that your dog's eyes are dry.

Check out our blog for a complete table including symptoms and help for eye problems .

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome AKA Canine Senility - Older Dog Illness

There is treatment for this older dog illness once your Veterinarian diagnoses it. The standard treatment is an oral prescription medicine called "Anipryl" which is the brand name aka "Selegiline" which is the generic version and less costly. Selegiline is available in a 2mg, 5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 30mg tablet form.

Your dog's weight will determine the daily milligrams needed. If the medicine works for your old friend, then he will most likely need to stay on it the rest of his life.

We wanted to share the warnings with you from the manufacturer's website. Please read carefully: Warning: Dogs being treated for external parasites should not be given Anipryl. Also, dogs being treated with anti-depressants for separation anxiety, etc. should not be given Anipryl. It is imperative that conditions such as brain tumors and any other abnormality be completely ruled out before treating your dog with Selegiline (Anipryl® Pfizer). Here's the symptoms of CDS:

•  Dog is clearly confused. These dogs often find themselves stranded behind a chair or sofa and lose their way around familiar areas such as their backyard.
•  Night walking. They often walk back and forth in the same area.
•  No longer house broken. Dogs with CDS will often relieve themselves in the home which is out of the ordinary behavior for the dog.
•  Blank staring.
•  Not recognizing you or other members of the family.
•  Reduced activity.
•  Acting more aggressive.
•  Forgets how to go up and down the stairs.

More Dog Illnesses

Brain Tumor - Older Dog Illness

The membranes that line the skull and vertebrae column are called "Meninges". Meninges tumors are slow growing and compress the brain.

More often than not, these tumors are benign and do not spread to other areas of the dog's body. The problem is that as the tumor grows, it causes inflammation of the brain tissue and this leads to nerve damage in the brain. Surgery is the traditional method of treating any type of brain tumor. Symptoms Of Meninges Tumors:

•  Circle walking
•  Loss of eyesight (blindness)
•  Dragging Feet
•  Breathing problems
•  Stumbling
•  Weak legs
•  Eye symetry (eye shifting)
•  Abnormal mental state
•  Head bobbing

Kidney Disease - Older Dog Illness

Kidney Disease is a Metabolic disease and all too common in older dogs. With early diagnosis, many dogs can live comfortably with diet change and medications. Should your dog be diagnosed with kidney disease, we urge you to talk with a holistic veterinarian who will use a much different protocol in treating your dog renal disease. Our dog Jenna was diagnosed with kidney failure in August 2010 and as of January 2012, Jenna's kidney values have remained stable. Through diet (not that disgusting Hills or Iams food that most dogs won't eat) and natural supplements, her holistic vet has stablized her. If your dog has any of these symptoms, see your Vet immediately. Don't proscrastinate:

•  Consuming excessive amounts of water
•  Constant urination
•  Throwing up
•  Loose stool (diarrhea)
•  Does not want to eat
•  Little color in urine
•  Sluggish (lethargic)
•  Weakness with lack of coordination

Liver Disease - Older Dog Illness

Liver Disease can occur for a number of reasons including if your dog already has another existing health problem or disease.

Medicines, toxins and chemical exposure are other factors that contribute to liver issues in dogs. On the bright side; if it is caught early, it can be reversed.

Sadly by the time liver disease is discovered in dogs, it's usually to the point that it's irreversible. Diet plays a huge role in managing liver problems and high enzyme levels. Learn more about dogs and liver disease.

Heart Disease - Older Dog Illness

The most common type of Heart Disease in dogs is Chronic Valvular. This happens when the heart valve thickens. Learn more on our blog about chronic heart failure in dogs. Symptoms to watch for include:

•  Breathing problems
•  Coughing/hacking
•  Doesn't want to walk like he used to and avoids exercise
•  Fainting spells

This is a very serious older dog illness. It's important to have the necessary diagnostic testing done in order to get an accurate diagnosis of CVD. Treatment usually includes the use of several medicines along with a salt restricted diet. Your Vet will want to monitor your dog on a regular basis.

Please visit my blog for an article on Idiopathic Vestibular Disease which affects older dogs. It's symptoms are very similar to a stroke in dogs including confusion and head tilt. Other symptoms include rolling and rapid eye movement.

Bladder Stones AKA Canine Urolithiasis - Older Dog Illness

Older dogs are at a high risk for developing bladder stones and they are more common in females than males. Be sure your older dog has water available at all times. Traditional treatment of bladder stones largely depends on where the stones are located within the urinary tract. Most Veterinarians will recommend a diet change to prevent future stones. Cranberry extract is another option of treatment. Symptoms of Bladder Stones are:

•  Blood in his urine
•  Obvious pain while urinating
•  Short, frequent urinating tendencies

Endocrine System Disorders In Dogs - Older Dog Illness

Although there are several dog illnesses and disorders associated with the Canine Endocrine System, Cushings Disease and Hypothroidism are the two that affect senior dogs more than any others.

Cushings Disease is a disorder whereas excessive amounts of Cortisol are released into the system causing illness. The thyroid gland is what regulates your dog's metabolism and Hypothyroidism is the result of a lazy (underactive) thyroid gland when not enough hormone is produced.

The most common traditional treatment for Cushing Disease is a medication called "Lysodren" with stimulation tests performed on 3-6 month intervals. Symptoms of Cushings Disease include:

•  Increased thirst and urination
•  Ravenous, can't get enough to eat
•  Muscle weakness
•  Distended abdomen
•  Alopecia or thinning hair
•  Thin wrinkled skin
•  Calcified bumps on the skin surface
•  Hyperpigmentation of the skin
•  Chronic and/or frequent infections
•  Obesity

A daily dosage of Throxine is the most common traditional treatment for Hypothyroidism, however some dogs don't respond to Throxine so they need another medication. Our doberman "Jenna" has Hypothyroidism and she's one of those dogs that the typical medication didn't work for. She now takes Thyrolar 1 and does very well on it. Read more on our blog about Jenna's problems with Hypothyroidism. Symptoms include:

•  Lethargy
•  Dry flaky skin/coat
•  Heavy shedding
•  Hyperpigmentation
•  Low tolerance to the cold
•  Slow heart rate
•  Anemia
•  Weight gain
•  Cholesterol levels are high

Diabetes (also an Endocrine System Disorder)- Older Dog Illness

Diabetes is also an older dog illness with two types affecting dogs. Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus are both the result of the inability of the dog's system to produce hormones. Diabetes Insipidus is brought on by the lack of Vasopressin; an anti-diuretic that controls the kidneys absorption of water. Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by the lack of insulin.

Large, overweight older female dogs are at a higher risk for Diabetes. Diabetes MUST BE controlled. If left uncontrolled the dog can end up with dangerously low insulin levels which are life threatening. Low level insulin is known as "Ketoacidosis" and can be quick and fatal.

Insulin treatment as well as a low carb, high fiber and protien diet that includes a superior fat source is necessary. Your diabetic dog MUST be exercised. These are the traditional methods of treatment for Canine Diabetes. Read more about diabetes in dogs here. Symptoms of Diabetes include:

•  Very thirsty and drinking more water
•  Urinating alot more
•  Very hungry, noticable increase in appetite
•  Losing weight
•  Dehydrated
•  Cataracts suddenly appear
•  Sticky urine

Skin Tumors - Older Dog Illness

Lumps, tags and skin bumps are common in the older dog, yet owners should watch for an appearance change such as size, shape and color. Fatty deposits or Limpomas and are benign tumors that are usually large, lumpy and very common in senior dogs. Veterinarians will usually want to check the dog to be on the safe side. If determined that it is indeed a fatty deposit, most Vet's agree to leave it alone while keeping an eye on it.

Watch for skin tags that suddenly change in color or bleed.

Incontinence - Older Dog Illness

Geriatric dogs often leak urine when they are in a laying position. Read more on Treating Canine Incontinence.

Prostate Problems - Older Dog Illness

Males who have never been neutered develop prostrate disease at a higher rate than neutered dogs. Infections, abscesses, enlargement, cysts and tumors are common for geriatric males.

Cancer

Unfortunately, the number of dogs that develop cancer are staggering. Of course Cancer isn't just an older dog illness and it also affects canines the same way the same way it affects humans. The good news is that early detection has a tremendous effect on successful treatment. Learn More About Dog Cancer Here.

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