With better veterinary care and pet food, dogs are now living much longer than before. However old age is relative, depending on the breed, and the bigger the breed the shorter the life span. Giant breeds like the Great Dane and the Newfoundland usually live about 10 years, while poodles and Yorkshire terriers now commonly live to 16 years.
Vaccination
Make sure your pet has an annual booster. This will also include a full health check to make sure any problems are spotted early. Have your pet weighed every 6 months to make sure it is not overweight.
Worming
Make sure your pet is wormed every three months against roundworms and tapeworms. As tapeworms are transmitted by fleas, carry out routine flea control all year round.
Flea control
Choose a method of flea control that is safe for your older pet and effective. If your pet is off-colour discuss the best method of flea control with your vet.
Grooming
As your pet ages its skin become less elastic and tends to flake dandruff. Your dog will be less supple and less able to groom itself. Groom your pet every day with a soft brush. Unsaturated fatty acids like fish oils or evening primrose oil may help improve a dry coat.
Health check for the ageing female (unspayed) dog
- check all mammary glands every week feeling for lumps
- if unspayed, watch for lethargy, increased thirst and discharge from her vulva. This usually occurs after a season and can be a sign of pyometra (womb infection)
- if your dog is eating non-stop, losing weight and very thirsty, get her checked for diabetes. It is twice as common in female unspayed dogs
Health check for the ageing male dog
- if your dog is straining to defecate, get your vet to check its prostate gland
- check your dog's testicles for any abnormal lumps as this could be a sign of tumours
- check for "boils" around the anus - these are benign tumours and can easily be removed surgically
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