It is essential to remember that dogs, like all animals, are experts at concealing the signs of illness. It’s because they spent their time living in the wild, where they had to protect against predators by trying to appear as strong as they could. As a result, it might be hard to determine if your dog is ill as he’s probably trying to hide its condition.
However, one year for a human is approximately the same as seven dog years. Therefore, you should expect to see some signs of aging in your pet’s body much sooner than you would with a human. Many of them are related to the gradual loss of hearing and vision and decreased activities. They are expected in nature, inevitable, and indicative of your dog’s aging physique.
Identifying a Sick Senior Pet
Specific things your dog may be doing could suggest an issue with their health that can be treated or prevented from developing if discovered early. The earlier your dog’s problems are discovered and addressed, the more options you and your veterinarian have to stop disease progression and treat its illness. Here are some signs that your dog’s age may suffer from a health issue.
1. Physical Manifestations
Visible symptoms are often the easiest to diagnose. The appearance of your senior dog could give clues as to whether or not your dog is suffering from an underlying disease. Here are some clues to look for: crusty, discharge-filled, or otherwise odorous ears. If your dog is unhappy with its ears, as evidenced by pawing them or shaking them, it might suffer from an ear infection.
Other symptoms include drainage from your eyes, blurred appearance or change in eye color; poor-looking, balding, or otherwise unhealthy fur; gums that appear pale, discolored, or white; skin lesions like sores, scaling, rashes, and the formation of pus. You can browse online for a geriatric vet or visit them here for consultation and check-ups.
2. Behavioral Changes
Behavior changes are a normal part of growing older. Many senior dogs tend to be slower, less active, and appear more settled on their own. However, you must consult a veterinarian if your dog shows any of these behavioral changes.
There are several indications of a red flag in your behavior: abrupt anger, aversion to physical contact, extreme vocalization, disorientation, and fearful reactions to being suddenly separated from a loved one or a loved one, like leaving or hiding.
3. Changes in Bathroom Habits
When an animal reaches its old age, it has often established a routine of when it needs to go toilet. Yet, many ailments are discovered through digestive issues.
Accidents in the bathroom, more frequent or less frequent urine and excretion, as well as an increased amount of effort when bowel movements, are all indications that your dog might be having urinary and bowel stress. If you notice an abrupt change in how your dog poos, it’s recommended to consult a geriatric vet.
4. Appetite Changes
For your dog’s senior years, It is essential to feed him high-quality food made specifically for him. Get in touch with your vet if it suddenly stops eating or refuses to consume food.
It may be experiencing discomfort from the teeth, a common issue for older dogs frequently suffering from periodontal disease. However, there is always the possibility of something else leading him to stop eating. To save your pet, you can subject it to treatments like surgery and lengthen its life.
5. Gut Instinct
You are the single one who truly understands your dog due to your extensive time together. Studies have shown that pet owners rely on their “gut” when making animal choices. Take your senior dog to your veterinarian If you find something amiss in them.
Don’t delay if you suspect that your senior dog may be sick. Giving your dog the attention required to enjoy its old age begins by identifying the problem promptly.
