| Like all animals, as dogs age they tend
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| | the immune systems can become weak and
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| to develop health problems unique to
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| | vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
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| older dogs. Many dog owners have a
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| | Serious health problems may develop in
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| difficult time accepting this fact and
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| | your senior dog as some of the symptoms
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| think that their lively pooch is not an
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| | develop gradually. It is your
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| older dog and will not have health
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| | responsibility to maintain your older
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| problems. Dogs can, however, show signs
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| | dog's health and remain informed of the
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| of aging as early as seven years old.
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| | possible senior dog health problems that
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| Older dog health problems generally
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| | commonly arise.
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| affect larger breeds earlier than small
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| breeds that tend to show signs of aging
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| | Helping Your Older Dog Overcome Health
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| around 10 to 12 years of age. The fact
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| | Problems
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| is that senior dog health problems will
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| | As an aging dog inevitably develops
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| eventually be a concern for every dog
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| | health problems, you can help alleviate
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| owner.
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| | many of the symptoms and keep your pet
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| Common Health Problems Facing Older Dogs
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| | comfortable. The most basic thing you
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| All dogs are different and, depending on
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| | can do is simply pay more attention to
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| their size, breed and activity level,
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| | your senior dog making sure you're aware
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| will exhibit health problems differently.
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| | of the changes taking place. Brush your
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| However, there are common health issues
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| | dog's coat daily and ask your vet if
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| that may manifest in all senior dogs
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| | there are special shampoos to help with
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| including the following:
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| | her skin and coat. Spend time rubbing
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| Joint and bone problems
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| | your hands on his coat feeling for bumps
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| An overall reduction in their metabolism
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| | or lesions. Be patient when your dog
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| Difficulty with their eyes and ears
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| | needs a little extra time walking up the
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| Liver and kidney dysfunctions
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| | stairs or jumping up into the car. Make
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| Skin becomes thin and less pliable while
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| | sure you make regular visits to your vet
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| the coat becomes mottled and patchy
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| | and stay current on vaccinations. Brush
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| Problems with teeth and gums
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| | your senior dog's teeth regularly and
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| Unlike a little puppy who has an endless
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| | have them professionally cleaned
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| supply of energy, an older dog will tend
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| | occasionally. Provide regular exercise
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| to slow down and take longer to lay down
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| | while also making adjustments needed for
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| or stand up. Instead of bounding up the
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| | your dog as she ages.
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| stairs your senior dog might take each
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| | As your older dog slows down, you might
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| stair one at a time. Your dog may
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| | have to adjust her diet to help
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| develop arthritis, an inflammation of the
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| | compensate for the reduction of energy
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| joints causing pain and discomfort,
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| | for both her weight as well as her coat
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| which is generally the cause of this
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| | and her circulation system. Not only
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| slowing down. There are a host of
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| | must the overall calorie intake be
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| anti-inflammatory drugs that your
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| | reduced, but you can also feed your
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| veterinarian can suggest to reduce the
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| | senior dog specially formulated foods
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| discomfort caused by arthritis.
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| | made to fit their particular needs. Try
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| In many cases, an older dog will have
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| | to purchase the most expensive, best
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| problems with their eyes as they develop
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| | quality food you can afford and avoid
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| cataracts or even glaucoma. A cataract
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| | greasy table scraps.
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| will become obvious to the owner as the
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| | It's an inevitable fact that dogs age,
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| eyes have a cloudy appearance and tend to
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| | but you can make a difference in helping
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| reflect light. Senior dogs may also
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| | your older dog overcome health problems.
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| develop glaucoma, an increased amount of
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| | Keep in mind that in the last eighty
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| pressure on the eyes, and can cause more
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| | years or so the average lifespan of dogs
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| serious problems if left untreated.
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| | has increased from 7 years to 12.
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| The entire circulation system and many of
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| | Expanding your knowledge and paying
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| the major organs are taxed in older
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| | attention to your dogs health will help
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| dogs. The heart, lungs, liver and
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| | ensure your dog lives a long and
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| kidneys all become less efficient and
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| | comfortable life.
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