What are the diseases of older dogs?

Osteoarthritis is an extremely common process, with irreversible progression. It is one of the primary causes of chronic pain in dogs. Daily, the joints of the limbs and back are stressed by movements and jumps. This damages the cartilage, which, with age, regenerates less effectively. Gradually, osteoarthritis sets in: the cartilage disappears, and the bone is remodeled. Overall, the dog has more difficulty moving and getting up. The pain is more intense "when cold," such as in the morning or after significant exercise. Sometimes, symptoms are exacerbated at certain times, in the form of flare-ups. Occasionally, the owner simply feels that the dog is "showing signs of age."

The signs of osteoarthritis are often visible on X-rays. Treatment usually involves administering anti-inflammatory medication during flare-ups. The goal is to alleviate pain to improve the dog's quality of life, but it will not reverse osteoarthritis.

Some supplements containing chondroprotectors or mussel extracts are available commercially, aimed at preventing osteoarthritis and reducing symptoms. Their effectiveness is variable and difficult to assess. You can seek advice from your veterinarian. Be aware that one of the pillars of prevention is to monitor your pet's weight and avoid obesity: indeed, overweight or obese dogs put more stress on their joints.

Chronic renal insufficiency

Renal insufficiency is a serious and very common issue in elderly dogs. The kidney is composed of nephrons, in limited numbers. Throughout its life, the dog's kidney is subjected to assaults that result in the loss of nephrons. When there are not enough left, the kidney can no longer perform its function: this is renal insufficiency. Thus, it is a disease that progressively worsens over time. In the beginning, the dog drinks a bit more, sometimes unnoticed. It then gradually becomes lethargic and may stop eating. In more advanced stages, the dog may vomit or have diarrhea. Its condition progressively deteriorates.

Fortunately, solutions exist to improve the dog's quality of life and slow down the disease's progression, especially if diagnosed early. Resorting to specialized nutrition is essential. To diagnose chronic renal insufficiency, the veterinarian conducts blood tests (measuring blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels) and urine density measurements.

As much as possible, try to quantify your dog's water intake. If it increases, discuss it with your veterinarian.

Urinary or fecal incontinence

Whether urinary or fecal, incontinence is a very bothersome problem for the owner on a daily basis. In cases of urinary incontinence, the dog spreads urine everywhere without realizing it, which poses a major hygiene issue. While sleeping, the dog may also urinate in its bed. It does not assume a position to urinate. It should not be confused with uncleanliness (in this case, the dog is aware that it is urinating and does so deliberately). In cases of incontinence, reprimanding your dog is completely useless.

It is then necessary to determine whether the incontinence is solely related to a loss of sphincter tone due to aging, or if there is another underlying medical cause. Be aware that treatments exist to strengthen the urethral sphincter. Additionally, dog diapers are available to help manage the situation initially.

Simple measures can allow your elderly dog to end its life in good conditions. This is not therapeutic stubbornness: sometimes the dog just needs a little "help" to live a few additional years better.

Osteoarthritis is an extremely common process, with irreversible progression. It is one of the primary causes of chronic pain in dogs. Daily, the joints of the limbs and back are stressed by movements and jumps. This damages the cartilage, which, with age, regenerates less effectively. Gradually, osteoarthritis sets in: the cartilage disappears and the bone is remodeled. Overall, the dog has more difficulty moving and getting up. The pain is more intense "when cold," such as in the morning or after significant exercise. Sometimes, symptoms are exacerbated at certain times, in the form of flare-ups. Occasionally, the owner simply feels that the dog is "showing signs of age."

The signs of osteoarthritis are often visible on X-rays. Treatment usually involves administering anti-inflammatory medication during flare-ups. The goal is to alleviate pain to improve the dog's quality of life, but it will not reverse osteoarthritis.

Some supplements containing chondroprotectors or mussel extracts are available commercially, aimed at preventing osteoarthritis and reducing symptoms. Their effectiveness is variable and difficult to assess. You can seek advice from your veterinarian. Be aware that one of the pillars of prevention is to monitor your pet's weight and avoid obesity: indeed, overweight or obese dogs put more stress on their joints.