Your elderly dogs need special care

By Maria Endah Hulupi

JAKARTA (JP): Just like humans, elderly dogs require great care and attention.

Old dogs will show their appreciation when you caress their heads, and become excited when you cuddle them. There are moments when your old friend becomes sad because you are too busy to play with it, a sadness that will be apparent from the frown on its face -- if you care enough to notice.

It will want to be by your side at all times. Being with you is like a mantra programmed into its fluffy head. It distresses the animal when you are away, and it will follow you anywhere -- around the house, in the neighborhood and to the office if you allow it.

After years of togetherness, many pet lovers still know little about how to care for their aging companions properly. Many of them treat and feed their loyal friends the way they treat family members, which can be inappropriate for aging dogs.

The veterinarian coordinator at city-owned Rumah Sakit Hewan Jakarta, Yeye Seri Danti, said one year of a dog's life is approximately equal to seven years of a human's life, so dogs begin to enter old age when they reach 5 years of age.

"This is applicable to all dog breeds, even those dogs that are in good health and receive proper treatment," she said.

Physical signs of old age range from hyperpigmentation, a less glossy coat, hair and tooth loss, eye problems and a decrease in physical activity.

Like people, old dogs are prone to heart disease, kidney and eye problems and other ailments. A female dog which has never had a litter of pups is vulnerable to pyometra, which is an accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity due to bacterial infection.

Common symptoms of health problems are loss of appetite, a swelling stomach, inactivity, bleeding from the urethra, vomiting, coughing and a watery nose.

"In case you observe such symptoms, take the dog to a vet, who will diagnose the real health problem," said Yeye, adding that possible treatments will range from medication to surgery.

A dog must receive periodic grooming and be taken regularly to the vet from the time it is a puppy to remain in good health. Dogs require vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus, and throughout their lives need periodical deworming, daily exercise and proper nutrition.

Old dogs are less active but they still need their owners' affection, especially in the presence of younger dogs.

"When there are no warm greetings for their owners it is high- time that the owners show some affection toward their old dogs by approaching and caressing them, or standing next to them while they are eating," Yeye said.

Dog food is rather expensive but is the best way to meet the dog's daily nutritional requirements.

A recent issue of the veterinarian magazine Waltham Focus said an 18 percent to 20 percent reduction in the daily energy provisions is appropriate for less active senior dogs.

"The best way is to combine wet and dry food. Wet food is tastier with a palatable aroma, while dry food is good for their gums and help clean up the plaque that leads to tooth problems," Yeye said.

Many pet owners, not aware of the danger of sharing human food with their dogs, think a high-protein diet including such foods as beef and milk are good for their dogs' health and stamina. That is why they share their meals with their dogs.

Yeye pointed out that for dogs, a high-protein diet could lead to the formation of stones in the urethra, milk could result in diarrhea and salty human food could affect the dogs' skin and coat. And, this might surprise you, some dogs are allergic to beef.

"Not all the food that a dog gladly devours is good for its health in the long term," she warned.

A brisk walk in the park before you go to or after you return from the office provides good daily exercise for both you and your aging best friend.

"This will keep the dog toned up, thus preventing obesity, which would make them prone to health problems," she added.