surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Apr 1, 2005, 10:01 AM
Post #9 of 19
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Re: [ALL] Need advice on taking care of senior dog
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Hello all ...
A dog is generally considered fully mature at 2 years ... and a 9yr old dog is considered a "senior" dog. Don't say "old" lar ... "senior" sound so much better ... Just like me, I am not old - just senior ...  ...
Unless there is kidney problem or some other disorder, I (personally) would not restrict any dog from drinking as much as it wishes, and will allow it to pee as often as the dog needs. Drinking plenty of water is good (for people & dogs, young & old) ...
Drinking plenty of clear clean water is the most natural way of helping our bodines flush out waste & toxins ... People & dogs who drink a lot of clean water, usually find it easier to maintain good health.
However, with senior dogs (and don't forget, a 10yr old dog is something like 60+yrs in human age) ... there are several things to remember:
(a) They are less active ... and their diets needs some adjustment, they need to be fed less ... or they will put on weight (and that is not good for a senior dog).
(b) Their muscles also start to lose some tone & strength ... Their bones & joints become a little more fragile. So, rather than vigorous running or jumping - gentle walks are recommended.
(c) They may start to lose some bladder/bowel control. So, always your senior dog to pee/poop as often as is needed. Don't lar make the poor dog hold for too long (that is not good for the dog).
With many senior dogs, their joints & hips start to stiffen up, some start to show signs of arthritis - And it becomes very important to maintain GOOD WEIGHT. An overweight dog places much more stress on their bones, muscles & system.
And I am not so sure about the benefits of giving "Panadol".
Panadol is an "analgesic". The primary function of an analgesic is to act as a "pain-killer". Analgesics do not remove the cause of the pain, they simply "hide" the pain, by blocking off our pain-receptors.
For example: You have a cavity in your tooth, and you feel pain. You take analgesics, and your pain reduces. But the truth is, your cavity is still there, and as soon as the analgesic wears off - the pain returns.
If a dog is developing arthritis – giving Panadol may reduce the dog's level of pain & discomfort (which is good). BUT the dog is still arthritic. And without the pain to give warning to the dog, the danger is that the dog may try to do more than his body, bone or skeletal structure can cope with (and that is not so good).
As an alternative, consider giving the dog supplements that contain “glucosamine”.
“ … Just as in humans, Glucosamine has been clinically proven to halt the progress of Osteoarthritis in your dog. More importantly, as a natural dietary supplement, it also rehabilitates and reverses the damage that has already been done …”
Some articles to read:
www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/arsupp.html
www.glucosamine-osteoarthritis.org/glucosamine/glucosamine-for-dogs.html
www.glucosamine-arthritis.org/arthritis-pets/glucosamine-dogs.html
Cheers 
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He is also over weight now and Vet's advice is to diet and to reduce a kg or so. 
I am the man with dog's name 
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