Like older humans, older dogs are very susceptible to a wide range of health conditions.  This is a primary reason you need to take special care of your senior dog.  There are a few things you should know.  Read on for a number of important tips on geriatric dog care.

As your senior dog ages, it is vital that you take him to the vet for exams on a regular basis.  It is best that you take him every six months instead of only once a year.  This will help catch any diseases early before they have a chance to progress.  Conditions such as osteoarthritis and organ failure are common problems.

Proper exercise is also an important part of geriatric dog care.  It can be harder for older dogs to move around as well as they used to.  If they do not get the proper exercise they need, their muscles may start to degenerate.  Obesity can also become a problem.  That is why you need to ensure your senior dog gets plenty of exercise.

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It is also a good idea to provide your senior dog with an orthopedic foam bed.  These beds help distribute your dog’s weight evenly.  This has the effect of reducing pressure on his joints.  Reduced pressure is essential for preventing arthritis.

Another important part of geriatric dog care involves taking proper care of your dog’s senses.  His senses like sight and smell will deteriorate over time.  You can help prevent his senses from becoming dull by keeping your dog active.

Your dog’s kidneys are particularly prone to wearing out over time.  This can lead to hormonal imbalances.  It is common for senior dogs to start having bathroom accidents around this time.  These accidents are often not their fault.  Rather they are due to various medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure.

Senior dogs need a different diet than their younger counterparts.  It is best for you to buy specially-formulated foods designed to help meet these requirements.  This will help prevent the onset of various health conditions.

As your senior dog ages, you need to keep an eye on his behavior so you can notice any changes early.  There are a range of health conditions which your dog will become prone to as he ages.  You will want to schedule vet visits every six months so you can catch any conditions as early as possible.  It is also best to provide your older dog with an orthopedic foam bed to help protect his joints and prevent arthritis.  Taking the best care of your older dog is not all that difficult.  Just start with these important tips and follow the direction of your veterinarian.

When a dog gets older they sometimes experience neurological disorders that can sometimes leave them temporarily paralyzed and it should go away within a couple of weeks, take your geriatric dog to the vet at the first sign of this.
The reason I bring these points to light is because, in conversations I have had, they appear to be “normal” behaviors of a geriatric pet. They threw me for a loop. I felt like he was behaving so differently that it must mean he is in pain or experience the kind of discomfort that I ought to have followed our vet’s first suggestion of euthanasia. But, once you get educated, you will find that there are resources to help your family help your dog through his last years with dignity and kindness. It is about keeping note of their quality of life. Are they suffering? Are they still showing positive emotional  reactions to the people around them? Are they still attempting to be a part of the “pack”? These are all things that should factor in to whether or not you think your pet is merely aging or dying.
Old age happens to the best of us – even our dogs. And as our dogs enter into the golden age, they may have specific needs or problems that must be addressed. The aging process brings about a gradual decline in a dog’s physical and sometimes mental abilities. Becoming aware of these issues allows an owner to provide the best possible care.

Not all dogs age at the same rate. Generally, smaller breeds live longer than larger dogs and mixed breeds usually live longer than pure breeds. A general guideline as to when a dog might be considered geriatric may be based on the dog’s adult weight. Small dogs (under 20 pounds) are considered geriatric between 9 and 13 years old. Medium sized dogs (21 to 50 pounds) are considered geriatric between 9 and 11 years old. Large breed dogs (51 to 90 pounds) are considered geriatric between 7 and 10 years old.
Finally, the giant breed dogs (over 90 pounds) are usually considered geriatric between 6 and 9 years old.

Ideally, caring for the geriatric dog should focus on preventative measures. Whenever possible, it is better to prevent a problem from occurring, rather than to wait for a problem to develop. Detecting diseases in the early stages greatly improves the outcome. Different dogs have specific risk factors that influence the diagnostic approach to geriatric medicine. Risk factors are characteristics of the breed, genetics, environment and lifestyle of your dog that may put him or her at greater risk of developing a particular disease or other age related changes.
Within the last few decades, advancements in veterinary medicine have caused a dramatic increase in the longevity of our pets. Today dogs are living longer and healthier lives. If there is a problem with your older dog, don’t assume it is just because of old age, and that nothing can be done. With appropriate treatment, many conditions can improve. Your veterinarian may do the following to assess your dog’s health and to maintain a healthy condition. A Thorough and complete medical history, a complete physical examination, a complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, fecal exam for parasites, heartworm blood test.
The most common problems for an aging dog include Netritional issues, obesity, dental disease, metabolic disorders, skin tumors, and arthritis.
Periodic inspection of your dog can uncover potential problems, feed the appropriate foog to your dog and dont let your dog get over weight, provide fresh water daily along with warm protected living spaces.
Although Some of tehse problems are difficult to help, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of your dogs life by educating yourself beforehand. Frequent visits to the veterinarian will catch early stages of disease before they become problems, a well educated and proactive owner is the key to optimal senior dog care.
A complete medical history you have about your pet should be discussed with the veterinarian. you will be asked many specific questions that may uncover unknown issues with your pet as well that may not be just asigned with “old age”.
Giving your pet a periodic home health exam is an excellent way to monitor potential problems. Check the teeth and mouth for dental problems and note any foul oders. Feel the joints for swelling or pain. Look for swelling in the abdomen. Take note for any weight gain or loss. Watch for any changes in water consumption or appetite. Changes in your dogs behavior, appearance or attitide should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Geriatric dogs should usually have routine veterinary exams atleast twice a year. Full diagnostics are usually not required this often, but a check-up is recommended

Question by bean_there_done_that: How would you spend billion dollars on dog care?
The late Leona Helmsley instructed that $ 8 billion of her real estate goes to the care of dogs.

How would you spend her money for the dogs of America?

She already left $ 12 million to her own dog. Serious answers and NO the money cannot be spent for personal expenses

Best answer:

Answer by greekman
We have children dying on the streets or starvation and some people want to spend money on their dogs like that.
So much for any humanity left in us as humans!

What do you think? Answer below!