It's hard to believe that when your dog is only the age of the average 1st grader, they can be considered a "senior dog". On our last visit to
our vet, our veterinarian discussed some things we need to consider as our dogs grow older. I will admit I was a bit saddened to think of our dogs aging, but at the same time, it's reassuring to know what to expect. We are also encouraged by our neighbor's pit bulls who lived to be 16 and 17, and by reading about
Sarge the Elderbull: a 16 year old pit bull living a fantastic life complete with 9 year old girlfriend.
Having older dogs is something new to us, and these are some things we've been discussing with our vet that would be good for our specific dogs. We would also be interested in hearing about other people's experiences about things to expect or any tips on improving longevity:
Bi-annual Physicals and Blood Tests:
When we brought the pooches in to get a standard blood test for Heartworm medication renewal, this quickly turned into a crash course on raising senior dogs. We realized we normally just take the pooches in for specific problems, and we rarely have standard physical exams. Our vet advised us to begin getting bi-annual physicals and blood tests which will help us catch and monitor any problems that might develop. Their current exam helped us diagnose high creatine kidney levels which we'll keep an eye on, and could be caused by high protein levels so we're changing their diet. We were also able to catch tooth decay for Miss M which if left untreated could cause organ problems. They are now on a regular tooth-brushing schedule.
Exercise:
When we found out that our pooches are becoming Elderbulls, we were initially concerned that we were doing more harm than good by going on long walks and making our pooches sit at corners. Our vet said that this was a good thing as the continual squatting helps them maintain their muscle tone rather than hurting their joints. She recommends that we continue the same type of low impact exercise that we had with the pooches, which includes our daily walks, but it also could mean the potential end of skateboarding with Mr. B around the city.
Feeding:
Though Mr. B is a nice healthy weight, Ms. M is a bit on the chunkier side. She is a 6 on the Purina body condition system (OVERWEIGHT: Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernable viewed from above but is not prominent. Abdominal tuck apparent.), which means that we need to cut down on her Kongs and treats. Poor Ms. M, she eagerly waits in her crate every morning hoping that we would leave, thus giving her a delicious, treat-filled Kong. In addition, due to early signs of kidney disease, we stopped feeding them the raw food diet (
Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Frozen Diets) and stick with dry food (
Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Dry dog food), under our veterinarian's recommendation because of the high intake of protein. In addition, we need to keep the water out for them all the time to keep them properly hydrated.
We are curious about other people's experiences as your dogs age, and would love to hear any advice or tips we all could prepare for.
P.S. Chicago people-- This Thursday, Miss M's rescue group is having an amazing fundraiser at Schubas. The $25 advance/$30 at the door includes 2 drink coupons (full bar), yummy Harmony Grill food (including several appetizers and a mac & cheese bar), a huge variety of desserts, and a raffle ticket!
There is also an amazing silent auction where you can bid an amazing prizes, including: passes to Pitchfork,
Lollapalooza (SOLD OUT to the public),Fender guitar autographed by Sheryl Crow, Tickets to Cubs, Sox, and Blackhawks games, Several overnight stays at some of Chicago’s finest hotels, including a night at the Park Hyatt and dinner for 2 at NoMi, Generous gift certificates for some incredible Chicago restaurants, including: The Publican, Avec, Lula Cafe, Prairie Fire, The Purple Pig, The Gage, BoKa, Tavern on Rush, Mana, Lou Malnati’s, Gibson's, Uncle Julio’s, Gene & Georgetti's, Chicago Cut, and more! This is an all-volunteer rescue group that does amazing work. The more money raised, the more pooches they can save. You can purchase advance tickets or read more by clicking on this link.
25 comments:
We use this product called PlaqueOff for Turk and Rufus' teeth (http://www.amazon.com/Proden-PlaqueOff-Dogs-Cats-180/dp/B000QAEQXQ)for Turk and Rufus' teeth. It's all seaweed and other natural things that helps to remove plaque. It's a little pricey but it lasts for months since it's just a tiny scoop you put into their food. It has been a wonder with helping keep their teeth sparkling white. We get compliments from our vet at every check-up!
We could write a book! BOL All of us have different needs and issues, but acupuncture, chiropractic and other natural remedies have really helped us!
The Road Dogs
This is something I'm starting to think about with Emmett... even though I don't want to! All of your ideas are fantastic. Recently I read about "doggy Alzheimer's" so I'm also trying to keep him mentally stimulated by learning new tricks every few weeks and doing agility.
This is our non-favorite topic too. Our Chick is somewhere in the 8-9 range, which makes him a senior, also. We haven't had any issues diagnosed, but we have started doing twice annual checkups and limiting his more high-impact activities (no jumping sports, no runs longer than 5 miles, and no chasing the squirrel toy around the yard because of all of the short stops and turns).
We also noticed the other day that he seems a little tubby. We're not sure if it's to do with how skinny Stevie Wonder is in comparison or whether he has actually gained weight, but we've decided to put him on a diet to reduce his weight by a pound or two. He has luxating patellas, so it's especially important that he stay trim so as not to put extra stress on his poor knees...
Also, on the kongs: have you ever thought about just putting her regular food in there, instead of treats? It may take some adjustment for her (she will probably be pissed initially that they are not as tasty as before), but she will get used to it. Whenever we do a short diet phase with Chick to drop a pound or two, we just soak his food in a little water for about 20 minutes, and squish it into a kong. Sometimes we freeze it, sometimes not. But either way, it's a hard puzzle and he loves it. And, it's not any extra food and calories.
"Good Old Dog--Expert Advice for Keeping Your Aging Dog Happy, Healthy and Comfortable" by Nicholas Dodman, BVMS at Tufts University is an excellent reference for caring for an elderly dog. Deals with diet, common medical conditions, aging issues of mind and body, end decisions. Dr. Dodman's earlier book helped me understand and live with a crazy border collie--"The Dog Who Loved to Much." Plan to keep "GOD" handy as my 15 yr. old pittie Willie ages.
Both Melanie and Molly are seniors (9 and 13) and we do a lot of things that you mention. We give them both glucosamine daily too. Molly has arthritis which has slowed her down considerably, but we've been lucky that that's her only chronic issue right now. So far Melanie hasn't shown any affects of arthritis, which is surprising since with two TLPO surgeries she's more likely to get it. I think keeping a close eye on them and noting any changes is really important at their age.
Have you considered putting something like pumpkin and/or yogurt in Ms. M's kong? They're great to freeze and low-calorie.
I don't agree with the recommendations to cut back on physical activity, unless you know there are hip/arthritis issues or unless your dog tells you it's too much.
Healthy pit bulls typically live 12-14 years, so I don't regard 6-8 years as "old".
Keeping your dogs slim, and their teeth clean are 2 very important steps that I agree with.
We've been out of the loop the past week or so, so we hope to get caught up on all of your posts! We love reading your blog :o)
Does Ms. M like carrots or apples? Might be a good sub for treats in the KONG.
-Corbin
All of these issues are very important to be aware of and to consider. Thanks kid
Benny & Lily
We had to switch foods because of stomach ulcers when our guy got old (10 years). We got a prescription dog food from the vet, and although pricey, it did wonders! A healthy diet and regular exercise are probably the best things you can do for a senior dog.
I'll be sad once ours reach that stage. All will be considered senior withing 11 months of each other :(
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
I use CET mouthwash for the girls, too.
Well, Lilac will be sixteen in September, but I think it's due more to good genes than anything special we've done. She's ancient by Greyhound standards. Taking them for long walks is definitely a good thing! Not only is it good for the body, but taking them out to see a lot of different things helps to prevent Canine Cognitive Disorder. I've also recently learned that hydrotherapy is awesome for senior dogs, and if we had it here, I'd take Lilac. No doubt she'd threaten my life, but I've seen how great it can be for them, and it's low impact, so easy on those old bones and joints, but great for muscle mass. We've added glucosamine into our dogs' diets a lot of the time, but Lilac refuses to eat if it's in her food, so we don't give it to her. We've learned to let her take things at her own pace, too. I think another important thing to remember with older dogs is to respect their dignity. I can't stress how important I think that's been for all three of the dogs we've had as seniors.
Great topic! At eight years old, Tucker is considered a "senior," too, and Olivia just turned seven and is considered a senior as well. And I can't stress enough how much I agree that those twice yearly checkups with bloodwork are critical. It was during just such a routine checkup, early in his seventh year, that we discovered Tucker's emerging mild hypothyroid issue. Rather than go the traditional med route, I took him to my holistic vet, and she recommended an herbal supplement which he takes twice daily with food that has helped bring him within normal ranges.
What else? Oh, teeth. Since going to all raw (I do PMR), I haven't had to really worry about teeth issues but before that I used Petzlife spray. It used to only be available at specialty stores, but is now available at Petsmart also. I've also heard good things about the Leba III spray (Only Natural Pet Store carries it), and I believe it was a Whole Dog Journal pick a couple of years ago. There is another product that I've heard of that works systemically - you mix it with food - but I can't think of the name of it now. Oh, you know - it might be the Plaque Off that Turk & Rufus mentioned. I've heard good things about it from other people as well, if that's it.
Also, as it relates to raw and blood values, you might want to check out this link: http://personal.palouse.net/valeska/RawDietBloodwork.html
Essentially, studies by Dr. Jean Dodds have indicated that dogs fed raw meat have higher red blood cell and blood urea nitrogen levels than dogs who are not raw fed. Also, consider that raw meat is only about 20% protein - the rest is water. Obviously not so with high protein kibbles like EVO, NV Instinct, and the like - and those CAN be hard on kidneys if they are not fed soaked/moistened. Anyway, something to consider, and possibly discuss with your vet before deciding to abandon raw altogether.
/You guys look great--Id say middle ages but its a great idea to start early so the golden years go great. We have four seniors here so we are used to all the stuff we have to do
www.urbanhounds-tubby5dog.blogspot.com
I too have a chubby boy. His weight crept up last winter when he was in heavy coat, so he's on a very reduced diet at the moment. We've been keeping him full with lots of vegies. Carrots are easiest. Could you fill Miss M's kong with fruit and vegies of some sort? My two love mango, kiwi fruit, banana, capsicum (which I think you Americans call peppers) and would happily eat a kong stuffed with them.
Another thing I'd recommend is Sasha's Blend, which is an Australian product (yay!) It's an all natural joint supplement available online.
p.s. on dental products: astonishingly, some dog dental toothpaste/dental wash products contain xylitol which is a poison for dogs. Be sure to check the ingredients.
Just to echo Tucker the Crestie's comments re: switching from a raw diet, unless your dog has a pre-existing condition (eg, diabetes, metabolic diseases, etc) that compromises his/her creatinine clearance, the protein from most raw food sources should not interfere with her kidney function. I've read mixed data suggesting high protein diets may result in increased aggression, but don't have enough evidence to make an assessment without knowing what hormones are being added to the meat in question. I love our vets (we go to a group practice), but I take their non-medical advice for what it is (one person's recommendation) since none of them are nutritionists or behaviorists. Simply put, I encourage you to do your own research--in this case, switching to kibble seems counterintuitive, since they will eventually lose a few teeth during the aging process. I educated pre-medical students and practicing physicians for 12 years in my former life and have respectfully challenged my own treating physicians on some of their decisions because I knew more about the available therapeutic options/side effects than they did from reading the same literature published by their peers. Yes, health care providers offer a valuable service, but they have limitations, too (ie, vet is not god spelled backwards). ;-)
One other thing about lab tests (for humans and dogs); there is usually a wide range within the values (attributable to a wide variety of factors). Upper range of normal is still normal, so "watchful waiting" is a prudent action. Now that you have a baseline, if the diet change doesn't work to change the numbers, then the vet will have to order more tests to diagnose the underlying condition that may be causing the values to be on the higher side.
Hi just saw your post and read about Ms M being diagnosed with kidney disease. There is an awesome yahoo group that really helped me when my terrorX Nanuchy was diagnosed with kidney failure when she was 10 yrs old. She lived another 4 yrs and did great on a modified diet which did not cut out protein just adjusted things.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9KIDNEYS/
Please take a bit of time and check out this site. It really did wonders for her and helped me keep her 4 yrs longer. And Nanuchy had had problems with chronic urine infections etc since she was 6 months old not to mention allergies and 2 pancreatic attacks by the time she was 2 yrs old (according to the vets she shouldn't have survived after she was 2 yrs old not too bad for going at 14!!)
Good luck!!!!!
Wow, so much to learn - bi-annual physicals?! Are kidney issues common for raw food eaters?
tdotcopeland is exactly right!
gradstudents - no,kidney issues are not generally a side effect of a raw diet, for two reasons. #1 - as I indicated in my previous comment, raw meat is only about 20% protein. The rest is water,and sufficient hydration is key for optimum kidney health. #2, the average baseline normal blood cell and blood urea nitrogen levels are higher in raw fed dogs than in dogs who are kibble fed, based on recent studies. Therefore, if you have a raw fed dog, it's prudent to disclose that to your vet prior to blood work, as well as to point them to the referenced studies, in case they are unaware.
I am glad that you have gotten a jump start on preparing them for their senior years. Our girls are 13 & 11. They both are too chunky (started a diet recently) & they both have arthritis which makes it more important that they stay at a healthy weight. Our vet recommended that they start on Glyco Flex (for arthritis)& they love it! We are also feeding them more fruits & veggies than before, Oh if only we could turn back time...
We had to quit raw-feeding, too, after Clover got abysmally ill with a C-diff bacterial infection. Went back to a grain-free dry food but the protein percentage was so high that the pooches frequently had upset tummies. So we tried TOTW's grain-free Pacific Stream. It's a much lower protein level and they hardly ever even have gas anymore.
How often do you brush their teeth? I try to do it as much as possible but it ends up being not that often.
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