Change in gait, reluctance to move When a dog has a change in gait, is reluctant to walk or go up and down stairs, has difficulty standing and walking and shows significant irritability or aggression, it is likely to have arthritis or osteoarthritis disease. Arthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease that occurs in older dogs and obese dogs. This disease can affect one or more joints, causing swelling, stiffness and pain. This is a time to make changes in diet and exercise and, if necessary, to treat with medication. Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Poodles will generally have a higher chance of developing this disease. Bleeding, red and swollen gums Normally, if you notice bleeding or tenderness or redness in your dog’s teeth, your dog may have gum disease. Gingivitis usually occurs before periodontitis. Gums become inflamed when oral bacteria become plaque on the teeth, followed by saliva that hardens plaque and produces tartar, which spreads and causes swelling on the gums. If left untreated, gum disease can develop into periodontitis, which can also spread bacteria into the bloodstream and cause serious damage to other organs. Frequent Thirst, Frequent Urination, Weight Loss When you notice that your dog has frequent thirst and urination, weight loss, easy fatigue, irritability, recurrent infections, blurred vision and slow wound healing, you should consider whether your dog has diabetes. Diabetes is mainly caused by insufficient secretion of insulin in the pancreas. The role of insulin is to promote the circulation of glucose into the liver cells, muscle cells, fat cells and other tissue cells to synthesize glycogen to lower blood sugar and promote the synthesis of fat and protein. Diabetes can be hereditary, occurring most often in dogs as young as 8 or 9 years old, and is more common in female dogs. Breeds that are particularly susceptible to diabetes include Samoyeds, Cairn Terriers, Pugs, Toy Poodles and Miniature Schnauzers. Dogs that tend to fall and bump into things easily in their daily lives may have problems with their vision if they frequently run into walls or furniture and tend to fall. Other symptoms may include not being able to find his food or toys; not usually looking at you anymore; not wanting to jump on or off the couch; appearing anxious or emotionally tense, and may even begin to show aggressive tendencies. Vision loss is part of the aging process in dogs. There are numerous causes of vision loss in older dogs, including glaucoma and macular degeneration (senile changes in the structure of the macula). Another possible cause is cataracts, the signs of which include dilated pupils and red or swollen eyes. It is recommended that owners have regular eye exams at least every six to nine months; the earlier the condition is detected, the better the chances of a successful cure. Polyuria, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea When your dog has symptoms such as polyuria, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, there is a high probability that they have kidney problems. The kidneys remove metabolic waste from the body and maintain homeostasis. When kidney function is impaired, waste and toxins can accumulate in the body and cause severe damage, resulting in kidney failure. It may also cause kidney stones, blockage of the urinary tract, or bladder rupture. The history of chronic renal failure is characterized by frequent occurrence in older dogs, and the course of the disease is often the result of accumulation over the course of adulthood. Unusual lumps, bleeding from the mouth, nose and ears, and blood in the stool When dogs develop unusual swelling, lumps or bumps that persist or continue to get larger and bleeding from the mouth, nose or ears, it is usually the first signs of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs, with as many as 50% of pets dying of cancer. In China, we rarely give our dogs a physical exam, so we tend to attribute their deaths to “old age,” when many are actually cancer. Other signs of cancer include slow wound healing, drooling, coughing, excessive panting, weight loss, loss of appetite, foul odor, lameness, difficulty eating, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation or blood and mucus in the stool. Cancer is a complex disease that can develop in many parts of the dog’s body. Owners should monitor the overall health of their dogs, and if detected early, there is a greater chance of successful treatment of cancer. Cognitive Decline and Disorientation When you find that your dog gets lost on a road he often walks and does not respond when you call his name, your dog may be suffering from a disease called Canine Cognitive Disorder Syndrome (CDS), also known as dementia. Dementia is a series of disorders such as memory, learning, sensory, awareness and cognitive decline that occur as dogs age. The most significant manifestations may be disorientation and getting lost easily; may forget familiar toys and their names; no longer recognize familiar people, such as their owners; spend long periods of time staring blankly at a particular place; sometimes walk around the home and behave somewhat compulsively; and commands that they were previously very good at are now slowly lost. Many people will think that this is a normal manifestation of a dog entering old age and there is no way to change it. In fact, if the owner can recognize the dog’s condition early and treat it with assistance, the situation can still be effectively improved.
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