Remember Me
forgot your password?

Vet Care For Senior Dogs

Whether your dog is entering his twilight years or you have recently adopted an older dog from a shelter, you will find that there tends to be an increase in the amount veterinary care that your pet needs. Just as humans do, dogs become susceptible to a broad array of illness when they get older, and if they are to maintain a high quality of life, regular visits to the veterinarian can help them do this. Take some time and be aware of some of the procedures and medications that your veterinarian might deem necessary for your dog to live comfortably.

Annual Physical Exam

As your dog gets older, make sure that you take him to the vet at least once a year. If your dog has been sickly or has been showing signs of poor health or fatigue, you may find that more frequent visits are in order. For some older dogs, having an exam twice a year is ideal. Make sure that you tell your veterinarian of anything you have observed in your dog or any changes you might feel are important. Your veterinarian may also want to give your dog an oral and rectal exam as well as give him an eye exam as well. Because many dogs develop things like cataracts and glaucoma as they get older, this will be essential.

Heartworm Disease Prevention

If you live in an area where heartworm disease is common, you will want to make sure that you are regularly giving your dog something that will prevent this heavily taxing disease from taking root. Talk to your doctor and make sure that you understand the dosage that is required along with the frequency by which you give it.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are another thing that you need to consider when you are thinking about the quality of veterinary care that is necessary for your dog. Vaccinations essentially help shore up your dog's immune system, and if you want to make sure that your dog is healthy and happy, keep his vaccinations up to date. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you as to what is appropriate and necessary

Why Your Dog Might Need a Urinalysis

There are a number of problems that might be identified and then solved based on a urinalysis. This series of tests can provide your veterinarian with a wealth of information and the sample is relatively easy to obtain. Your dog's urine should be fairly consistent, and if you have noticed a change in the amount, color or odor, or if you have noticed that he is having accidents that he has not had since he was a puppy, now is the time to see if a urinalysis is in order.

Take some time to really consider what your pet dog needs. Older dogs often find themselves facing a host of medical problems, and if you want to make sure that your pet is comfortable and able to enjoy himself, be alert to the signs that something is wrong. Acting sooner than later can make all the difference when it comes to preserving your dog's life and happiness!

Kelly Marshall
Article by Kelly Marshall of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, your top spot to purchase cool orthopedic dog beds online.
Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Pets Articles
  • More from Kelly Marshall

Why You Should Get a Radio Fence

By: Russ Elderman | 08/12/2009
Many people have a tough time controlling their dog when all they want to do is run around the neighborhood. Fortunately, you now have the radio fence to make it easier for you to keep your dog from getting lost. The radio fence has a unique way of detecting whether...

Three ways to use clicker training to help house train your puppy

By: Jan Bear | 08/12/2009
Nobody likes to clean up dog poop, but clicker training can make the process as painless as possible.

Providing An Ideal Pet Rabbit Cage - Things To Remember

By: Thomas Roberson | 08/12/2009
An applicable pet rabbit cage has always been essential both for the heath and overall well being of the rabbit. Consider their edgy nature, the cage's ventilation, materials and size of pet rabbit cage to make sure that you have provided an ideal rabbit hutch.

Why Dogs Hide Pain

By: Kelly Marshall | 07/12/2009
An animal lovers pet is like their children. They love them as though they were babies and when their pet is sick, they feel bad for them and try to help the pet as best they can. However, when the animal is in pain, it can be hard to tell....

Performing CPR on Your Dog

By: Kelly Marshall | 07/12/2009
Performing CPR on a dog is different than for a human, but also similar. You have to treat a dog just as you would when treating a small child and even a large dog is delicate when it comes to rescue breathing. There are steps to take when it comes...

Caring For Your Pet During the Winter

By: Kelly Marshall | 07/12/2009
When the cold days start setting in, you know that you have to take care to bundle up and to avoid getting sick, but did you know that you should take the same precautions for your pet as well? Just like people, animals are strongly affected by winter, and if...

What Happens When Dogs Get Bloated?

By: Kelly Marshall | 07/12/2009
Bloat is a condition that happens to many dogs, and as a responsible pet owner, it is one that you need to look into and be aware of. When your dog has bloat, it means that his intestinal tract is full of gas or fluid or foam. For the most...

How Can I Choose a Referral Practice?

By: Kelly Marshall | 07/12/2009
When you are in a place where your pet dog needs more intricate care, or when your regular veterinarian is not going to be able to provide the care that your dog needs, you will find that you are going to be sent on to a referral practice. A referral...

Poison-proofing Your Home

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Pets are a big part of our lives, and just like kids, they tend to get into things they aren't supposed to. It is just as important to poison-proof your home for your pets as it is for kids, and the basics are pretty similar. One of the first things...

Dogs and Frostbite

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Pet owners don't always realize that dogs can get frostbite. However, they can suffer both hypothermia and frostbite if outside temperatures drop below freezing. Although not every breed of dog will be affected as quickly by the cold, most breeds will suffer from frostbite if there is not adequate protection...

How Can I Save a Choking Dog?

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Whether you spend a lot of time with dogs and own one yourself or even if you have friends who do, you will find that young puppies and even older dogs will chew on all manner of things. In some cases, dogs will swallow those objects and in a worse...

Diseases Transmitted by Pets

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Millions of people around the world own pets. A pet is not just an animal, but a part of the family. Unfortunately, pets can be a source of illness. Diseases transmitted by pets, although rare, do occur. Those at risk of contracting a disease from their pet are people with...

Liver Shunts in Puppies

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
If you are thinking about adopting a puppy, you should be aware of some of the conditions that affect them. There are some conditions that are specifically geared towards young puppies rather than older dogs, and the phenomenon is known as a liver shunt. If you are in a place...

Does My Dog Have Hyperthyroidism?

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
If you are a dog owner, you want to make sure that you know about the different medical ills that might befall your beloved canine companion, and one of the issues that might crop up is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that is relatively common in dogs, and it occurs due...

Giving Your Dog Medication

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Giving your dog medication can be very stressful, not only for you, but for your canine friend as well. This article contains 8 Tricks that will make giving your dog his or her medication much less stressful for both of you. One of the first things that you should do is...

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs?

By: Kelly Marshall | 06/12/2009 | Pets
Whether you have recently brought an older dog into your home or you have just adopted a puppy, you are going to find that you are in a place where you should read up on some of the illnesses and conditions that are common to dogs. One of the issues...

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (3.16, 6, w2)