How to Care for a Senior Dog: Common Conditions & Treatments
As our furry companions age, we want to ensure they’re healthy and comfortable. Senior dogs come with a unique set of health and wellness concerns, and it can be overwhelming to understand how to care for them all.
The 10 Most Prevalent Health Problems for Senior Dogs
We know it can be heartbreaking to learn your long-time best friend is unhealthy or in pain. Fortunately, there are plenty of senior dog care treatment options out there to help them live a happier, healthier life and keep their tails wagging a while longer.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is common in senior dogs and can cause joint pain, stiffness and decreased mobility. Treatment options include over-the-counter supplements such as Duralactin® and chondroitin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs. Other non-medication options like weight management, physical therapy and low-impact exercise (e.g. swimming) can help reduce your pup’s pain and symptoms.
2. Incontinence
If your housebroken dog is having accidents, it may be caused by a medical condition called canine urinary incontinence (UI) due to weakened muscles of the urethral sphincter. Incontinence is especially common in aging female dogs, but there are ways to treat it. PROIN ER™ (phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride extended-release tablets) is a long-acting prescription medication that can help control urinary accidents. It features patented extended-release technology that allows for one-daily dosing, rather than requiring pet parents to give multiple tablets per day like with Proin®.
Compared to Proin®, PROIN ER™ has a better efficacy and safety profile. Plus, there’s no “washout” period when transitioning from Proin® to PROIN ER™. Ask your veterinarian about prescribing PROIN ER™.
3. Dental Diseases
Dental disease is common in senior dogs and can lead to tooth loss, gum disease and bad breath. Regular dental check-ups, professional cleaning and brushing at home can prevent or even treat dental problems. You can also add dental chews or specialized food to your dog's diet to promote oral hygiene.
If your dog’s dental problems continue to worsen despite care, consult your veterinarian. They may trim or remove teeth, remove any abscesses and/or prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers if needed.
4. Heart Disease
Heart diseases occur when your dog’s heart muscles, valves and arteries begin to wear down over time. The symptoms may include coughing, weight loss, lethargy and difficulty breathing. Possible treatments may include surgeries, lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, exercise, rest) or medications like Amlodipine or Vetmedin® (generic: pimobendan).
5. Cancer
Unfortunately, cancer is common in senior dogs, and early detection is critical for successful treatment. Typical symptoms of cancer include unusual lumps, unexpected weight loss, change in appetite and mobility issues.
Common treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Your veterinarian may also prescribe immunosuppressants like chlorambucil, which disrupts the division of mutated cells and therefore slows cancerous growths.
Palliative care — stopping curative treatment and focusing on comfort and quality of life — can also improve happiness and life satisfaction for dogs with cancer.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when there is a deficiency in insulin production, thereby affecting your dog's blood sugar level. Some of the common signs of diabetes include frequent urination, weight loss and excessive thirst. Depending on the type of diabetes, treatment may involve administering insulin injections, dietary changes and regular exercise.
7. Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)
You can think of CDS as similar to dementia in humans. It can cause disorientation, confusion and changes in behavior. While there is no cure, treatment of CDS generally involves cognitive training, environmental enrichment and/or dietary modifications. Your veterinarian may also prescribe medications such as fluoxetine. Creating a consistent routine, providing mental and physical stimulation and minimizing noise and stress may also help your dog cope.
8. Liver Disease
The liver plays a vital role in digestion and removal of waste products in your dog's body. As your dog grows older, the liver may become susceptible to injuries or illnesses like hepatitis, tumors or cirrhosis. Symptoms of liver disease may include abdominal distention, jaundice, vomiting and loss of appetite. Treatment may involve surgery, liver function tests and/or your veterinarian may prescribe medications like ursodiol.
9. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, leading to inadequate metabolic function. Common signs include hair loss/excessive shedding, weight gain, lethargy and intolerance to cold. To manage your dog’s hypothyroidism, your veterinarian may prescribe an antithyroid medication like levothyroxine.
10. Gastrointestinal Disease
While most dogs are known to experience a gastrointestinal problem every now and then, senior dogs often experience them more frequently. Some common digestive issues include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Treatment may involve hydration, dietary changes and prescription medication like budesonide.
Talk to Your Veterinarian About Using Mixlab’s Pet Pharmacy
At Mixlab, it’s our mission to provide exceptional care for pets and those who care for them. We partner with veterinarians nationwide to provide compounded and commercial medications (like the ones listed in this article!) in the most efficient way possible. Keeping your hound happy and healthy, and keeping you happy too. It’s what we do.
Experience the five-star customer experience for yourself and talk to your veterinarian about using Mixlab for your pet’s meds.
PROIN ER IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: For oral use in dogs only. Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children. If accidentally ingested by humans, contact a physician immediately.
The most commonly reported side effects were vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, excessive salivation, agitation, tiredness, vocalization, confusion, increased water consumption, weight loss, weakness, fever, panting, and reversible changes in skin color (flushing or bright pink). Abnormal gait, seizures or tremors, as well as liver enzyme elevations, kidney failure, blood in urine and urine retention have been reported. In some cases, death including euthanasia has been reported. Sudden death was sometimes preceded by vocalization or collapse.
Instances of dogs chewing through closed vials of PROIN® and eating the vial contents have been reported, in some cases resulting in overdose. Keep the product in a secured storage area out of the reach of pets in order to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose, as dogs may willingly consume more than the recommended dosage of PROIN® Chewable Tablets or PROIN ER™ tablets. Contact your veterinarian immediately if the dog ingests more tablets than prescribed or if other pets ingest PROIN® Chewable Tablets or PROIN ER™ tablets.
PROIN® and PROIN ER™ may cause elevated blood pressure and should be used with caution in dogs with pre-existing heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney insufficiency, diabetes, glaucoma, and other conditions associated with high blood pressure. Dogs may transition from PROIN® Chewable Tablets to PROIN ER™ without a break in administration. However, do not alternate PROIN ER™ with PROIN® Chewable Tablets because the effectiveness and safety of interchangeable use have not been evaluated.
The safe use of PROIN® and PROIN ER™ in dogs used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy or in lactating bitches, has not been evaluated. Contact your veterinarian if you notice restlessness or irritability, loss of appetite, the incontinence persists or worsens, or any other unusual signs. See prescribing information for complete details regarding adverse events, warning and precautions or visit prnpharmacal.com.
Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Indication: for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery in dogs. Warnings: For oral use in dogs only. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans. Contraindications: Dogs with known hypersensitivity to firocoxib should not receive Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs. Precautions: This product cannot be accurately dosed in dogs less than 12.5 pounds in body weight. Consider appropriate washout times when switching from one NSAID to another or when switching from corticosteroid use to NSAID use. As a class, cyclooxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with renal, gastrointestinal and hepatic toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with individual patients. Dogs that have experienced adverse reactions from one NSAID may experience adverse reactions from another NSAID.
Patients at greatest risk for adverse events are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be carefully approached and monitored. NSAIDs may inhibit the prostaglandins that maintain normal homeostatic function. Such anti-prostaglandins effects may result in clinically significant disease that has not been previously diagnosed. Since NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation, concomitant use of Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided. The concomitant use of protein bound drugs with Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs has not been studied in dogs. Commonly used protein-bound drugs include cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavioral medications. The influence of concomitant drugs that may inhibit the metabolism of Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs has not been evaluated. Drug compatibility should be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive therapy. If additional pain medication is needed after the daily dose of Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs, a non-NSAID class on analgesic may be necessary. Appropriate monitoring procedures should be employed during surgical procedures. Anesthetic drugs may affect renal perfusion, approach concomitant use of anesthetics and NSAIDs cautiously.
The use of parenteral fluids during surgery should be considered to decrease potential renal complications when using NSAIDs perioperatively. The safe use of Firocoxib Chewable Tablets for Dogs in pregnant, lactating or breeding dogs has not been evaluated.
