The number of elderly dogs is increasing thanks to better veterinary care and nutrition. It used to be that a 10-year-old dog was considered old, but 10 is now the new 60 for a dog (in human equivalency). Large dogs have shorter life spans than smaller ones but it is not unusual for mid-to-small sized dogs to reach their late teens or even 20s. By definition, the senior stage of life begins when 75% of a dog’s anticipated lifespan has elapsed. That might be at age 12 if a dog is expected to live for 16 years. Somewhere in the 12-16 year window for that dog, old age arrives. Owners may notice their dog’s eyes graying, a few white whiskers appearing around the dog’s muzzle or their dog sleeping a lot - but that’s about it. Old age, it should be pointed out, is not a disease and as long as good health prevails, can be one of the most rewarding periods of life. Shared memories and profound mutual understanding pave the way for great times to come.
Preventing Health Issues
Sometimes, however, this golden period is punctuated by medical issues; owners must remain heads up about such matters. Arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer are all more prevalent in old timers. In most instances, if a condition is recognized early, steps can be taken to minimize the impact of the disease. That’s why we at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine came up with the idea of writing our latest book, “Good Old Dog” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). We believed that if the dog owning public had such a book on hand they would be in a better position to understand and help their old friend as and when the time arrives. For many, of course, the time is already here and that probably explains why our book is flying off the shelves. To check the book out or order it, visit my website: ThePetDocs.Com
