Older dogs need care and lots of love and affection at this stage of life.
When you decide to adopt a pet, you need to be aware that in addition to love it will need care, especially when it is old or has a health problem. “I observe in my routine that the main health problems involving cats and dogs are, first and foremost, behavioral. Then skin diseases, which have various causes,” says veterinarian Rammana Bello da Silva.
According to the practitioner, animal survival has increased satisfactorily in recent times, “so we have a lot of geriatricians in veterinary medicine, so heart disease, kidney disease and cognitive dysfunction are also part of the routine,” he explains. obesity It usually affects cats and dogs a lot too.
Behaviors of older dogs
With age, new health problems begin to appear. At this time, in addition to all care, pets need love and attention. “Some may have pre-existing conditions and needs health care more often. They are more sensitive to heat and cold, become more lethargic, have episodes of mental confusion and a more selective appetite. For this reason it is ideal to visit a trusted veterinarian, with an interval of 6 to 8 months “, indicates the veterinarian Rammana.
treatment with older dogs
It’s common for older dogs to lose movement significantly, so they can’t go out on their own for a walk. “However, there must be regular exercises to work the muscles, so we use physiotherapy for these purposes. Through specific exercises and devices we can exercise this animal with limitations”, explains veterinary Caroline Moretti.
How to prevent diseases in this age group
One of the best ways to help in the early diagnosis of diseases is to maintain adequate follow-up. “For this, visits to the vet and check-ups should be more frequent. Based on this, the vet can plan treatments through drugs, food, physiotherapy, acupuncture, among others. Furthermore, any disease will be diagnosed early, increasing the favorable prognosis, “explains Caroline Moretti.
According to veterinarians, it is extremely important to understand that older dogs have limitations and therefore to adapt their routine. “From the increase in the number of vet visits to changes in the environment,” advises Caroline Moretti. She recommends reducing obstacles, avoiding climbing and descending stairs, and paying special attention to food, which should be specific to larger dogs.
time increases love
If the care grows over time, so does the love and connection with the pet’s family. “An old dog is a companion, he doesn’t have it anymore puppy euphoria, however, he is a true friend. Get to know every member of the family. He already has his space inside the house, his oddities are already defined. Another great advantage is the progress of veterinary medicine, before the survival of a pet was between 10 and 12 years, depending on the size, today we have animals from 18 to 20 years and, above all, with the quality of life ” , says Caroline Moretti So, take care of your best friend, to make the most of each stage.
Source: Terra
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