Being a responsible pet owner comes with the joys of puppyhood, the active lifestyle of having an adult dog and the “golden years” with a senior. A dog is considered to be a senior, depending on its size and breed, when it has reached seven years of age. Some breeds are considered to be seniors sooner than age seven. Some of those breeds are Great Danes, Irish wolfhounds, German shepherds, St. Bernards and Newfoundlands. As with all other stages of your pet’s life, preventative care is crucial to early detection and management of diseases as well as better health management.

The first step to being sure that you are on the right track with your senior dog’s health would include examinations twice per year by a veterinarian. A complete physical examination includes looking at your pet’s teeth as well as the back of its throat, an in-depth eye examination, listening to its heart and lungs, feeling its abdomen for any changes in organ size or consistency, manipulation of all joints, close examination of its skin and even a rectal examination. Some organs can begin to show age-related changes sooner than others, and by keeping close observation of all the organ system your family veterinarian can detect subtle changes much sooner than quick or abbreviated exams.

Keeping your pet current on his or her vaccinations is very important even if they do not go anywhere or have contact with other animals. Senior dogs have weaker immune systems and are often among the first groups of patients that develop illnesses such as kennel cough, Lyme disease and influenza. While some vaccinations are approved for administration every three years, not all vaccines are created equally. The most important thing is that you discuss your pet’s lifestyle with your family veterinarian and both of you come to an agreed upon vaccination protocol that is best for your pet. Generalized care is not the best approach to longevity.

Regular blood analysis is another component of thorough preventative healthcare for a senior dog. Complete blood work includes a complete blood count: red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count and hemoglobin levels. Another important component of a full blood panel includes a blood chemistry analysis that looks at liver values, kidney values, muscle enzymes, pancreatic enzymes, electrolytes and protein markers. Having a complete blood count and blood chemistry performed every six months allows your family veterinarian to monitor trends in blood levels. Such trends may include slow increases in your dog’s kidney values, which could raise awareness of potential life threatening kidney failure.

Veterinarians are often asked when pet parents should become concerned if they notice something abnormal. It is very important to have your veterinarian examine your dog if you notice:

• Any vomiting or lack of eating their food or treats

• Increased water consumption or urination behavior

• Weight loss

• Any changes in bowel movements (diarrhea or lack of bowel movements)

• Lameness that lasts more than three days or if more than one joint is affected

• Fur loss with any scratching

• Increasing size of the abdomen

• Sudden collapse or episodes of weakness

• Excessive panting

• Inability to eat dry food

• Foul mouth odor or drooling lasting more than two days

If you have any questions regarding your pet’s health, be sure to discuss this with your family veterinarian or a member of their healthcare team. No question is insignificant, and if you have any concerns it is always best to bring them up and not just accept that your pet is old.

[Contact Dr. D’Abbraccio at www.facebook.com/CatskillVeterinaryServices, www.catskillvetservices.com, or jdabbracciodvm@icloud.com.]