1. Characteristics of Dog Aging

Changes in weight, inability to move, changes in skin and hair, the coat becomes thin and dry, hair loss is severe, the body becomes weak, muscles atrophy, and the fluid between joints begins to dry up, causing inflammation and discomfort. Bad breath caused by dental and oral problems. Hearing decline, some animals gradually lose their hearing. The lens of the eye becomes cloudy and slightly gray-blue. The fur around the mouth, nose, and ears turns white or yellow.

2. Six common diseases in elderly dogs

As dogs age, their body organs and other functions will deteriorate, especially the heart, joints, and vision. Common diseases and precautions for old dogs include the following:

(A). The aging heart is prone to ascites

The most common disease in old dogs is heart disease. If the heart ages, the energy of each blood output will be reduced, and the blood cannot return to the heart smoothly, causing "ascites phenomenon". Water accumulates in the abdomen and limbs, causing edema and edema. In addition, the lungs are also prone to water accumulation. Dogs with water accumulation in the lungs will have symptoms of cyanosis, the mucous membrane will turn black and purplish gray, and they will be severely panting after walking for a few steps. These are all clinical symptoms caused by heart diseases.

(B) Pancreas decline, pay attention to calorie intake

The pancreatic function of old dogs will gradually decline. If they continue to consume too many calories and become obese, they will easily develop diabetes. You should pay attention when your dog has the "three excesses" - eating too much, drinking too much and urinating too much. If you eat a lot and still lose weight, you should have a detailed examination immediately (diabetes may also cause cataracts). In addition to diet control, diabetes must inject insulin and regularly measure blood sugar quality every 1-2 months to confirm whether the dog's health condition has deteriorated.

(C), joint atrophy and degeneration, difficulty in movement

Atrophy and degeneration of joints will cause inconvenience in dogs, which is also a common disease in elderly dogs. Joint surgery is difficult, time-consuming and risky. Except for paralyzed dogs, surgery is generally not recommended. Doctors recommend using medication and frequent rehabilitation training to improve the condition. Dogs with poor joints need to exercise appropriately to lose weight and reduce their burden. In addition, Modi Dog and Cat Joint Tablets can be taken daily in proportion according to body weight to maintain the joints of dogs.

(D). Visual nerve decline and reduced activity

Cataracts will develop in dogs' eyes as they age. When owners look at the light and see that their eyes are not as clear as before and appear white and misty, they should start to pay attention to whether their behavior is stumbling or suddenly shrinking and afraid to move. . NeedleIf the dog's eye degeneration cannot be improved by surgery, it is recommended that the owner should try not to change the furnishings at home to prevent the dog from being hit or falling down without noticing the change and getting injured.

(E) Hair problems, difficult to recover

As dogs age, hair health problems such as hair loss and shedding will become increasingly serious as they age. If the owner takes good care of it and provides appropriate nutrition, the problem can be alleviated. However, if they are not cared for properly or are infected with parasites such as fleas and mold, older dogs will need more time to overcome the disease than younger dogs in terms of recovery ability.

(F) Tooth problems, pay attention to dental calculus and periodontal disease

Dogs are born with bad teeth, because their gums are shallow and easy to loosen; in addition, dogs have mostly canines, which are prone to producing dental calculus, which can lead to periodontal disease (accompanied by severe bad breath) over time. In addition, when faced with the problem of dog tooth loss, you should let nature take its course, and do not forcefully remove the teeth and cause a broken jaw bone. In the treatment of dental calculus, teeth can be cleaned and appropriate medication should be given after cleaning. To prevent dental problems, you need to regularly clean your teeth from an early age, eat more hard food and do oral exercises to effectively avoid problems.

3. Daily care for old dogs

If the dog is over 7 years old, it is recommended to take the dog for a full-body health check-up at least once a year, including blood drawing, physical function testing, liver and kidney index and blood sugar levels, etc. If necessary, a chest X-ray may also be taken. Regular health check-ups are very important to prevent diseases before they occur, provide timely treatment and medication adjustments, and achieve the purpose of early detection and early treatment. In addition, it is best to have the same veterinary doctor regularly and establish detailed medical tracking records to facilitate subsequent consultation at any time.

The change in the amount of exercise in elderly dogs will weaken the digestion and absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the filtration and detoxification functions of the liver and kidneys will deteriorate. Therefore, attention should be paid to reducing the hardness of food in the diet, and timely supplementation of nutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamins, trace elements, etc. Adding Modi probiotics to adult dog conditioning in daily life improves gastrointestinal function and promotes nutrient absorption and digestion. Article source: Pet Information Service Center public account