PHYSICAL CHANGES AND THE CARE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH
The previous week (July 30, 2023), we focused on the behavioural changes exhibited by the elderly dog. Today, the discussion will centre on the elderly dog’s physical alterations – those that are immediately visible, and those that are insidious in their development and not suddenly and abruptly apparent.
We must firstly recognize that since the elderly dog has become less mobile, there will be consequently a loss of muscular tone. As in humans, if you don’t use, you lose. The first areas to react to the relatively constrained usage would be the thighs (upper portions of the hind legs) and the upper parts of the front legs.
The older dog’s abdomen may move from side to side as he/she walks. The abdomen tends to hang sideways, be lopsided, and display a downward bulge.
The elbows spread out (away from the body), in order to facilitate an easier breathing and heart function.
Veterinarians and caregivers often observe that the muscles of the elderly dog may begin to quiver when the animal exerts itself too much. There are bio chemical reasons for this phenomenon.
You may recall that I had mentioned in the previous column that elderly dogs tend to sleep a lot. Caregivers should ensure that the elderly dog must be provided a padded sleeping surface on which to rest/sleep.
Unless, the elderly dog’s environment in Guyana is in the mountains, the caregiver ought not to worry about the ambient temperature being too cold. Importantly, however, the dog should not be exposed to sleeping conditions which are draughty.
In a nutshell, I am advising that the elderly dog should sleep indoors and not outdoors on the cold, damp, hard ground or cement pad. Large and heavy dogs really need to sleep on padded surfaces. Small breeds may need to be provided blankets for coverage, and they should always be sleeping inside the house, preferably in the caregiver’s bedroom – especially during thunderstorms and fireworks displays.
All that I have written in the last paragraph may, in a meaningful way, contribute towards assuaging the onset of arthritis and the discomfort associated therewith. Stiffness in the joints as a consequence of Osteoarthritis, a condition which is not uncommon in elderly dogs, can be meaningfully reduced by following the advice offered in the last paragraph. At least, providing the elderly dog with optimal sleeping arrangements may offset the development of immobility and joint distress.
Moderate, less intense, less vigorous exercise schedules – worked out with your veterinarian – can be encouraged. But let me hasten to add that the older dog should not be exercised beyond its normal level of its activity and capability. Again, your veterinarian has to be involved in establishing the dog’s exercise protocol. The vet will have a record of the caregiver’s dog over the many years of Clinic care. For example, if your dog was a patient with a heart condition over several (or even a few) years, your vet may advise a total (or at least partial) exercise restriction.
Finally, to date, although there are some promising indications (e.g. analgesics and anti-inflammatories) used in human/veterinary medicine, there is no guarantee of a full and painless recovery from arthritis in the elderly dog via the available medications. Basically, I am offering the bad news version that there is no totally successful way to stop the progress of this condition of the joints. However, the medications, which your veterinarian will prescribe/administer, will enable the elderly dog to lead a more active life. We may address this arthritic malady in more detail, if and when we deal with this ailment affecting dogs of any age.
Next week, we will continue with documenting more physical (skin/coat) and sensory (sight, hearing) deficiencies in the elderly dog.
