The Old Dog

Old Age

Like elderly human beings, dogs gradually start wearing out, although they may live a long time (over 17 - and they're doing jolly well). Rather than the traditional '1 year in a dog's life equals 7 years in man's,' it's more realistic to use the sliding scale of comparison worked out by a French Veterinarian Dr Lebeau. With this the first year of the dog's life equals 15 human years, his second year equals 9 and thereafter each dog year equals 4 human years. So a 15 year old dog is 76 in human terms and a 17 year old is 84!

To ensure your dog at least reaches his 'three score years and ten' you should, above all, keep his weight down. A 'slimline' dog is usually a healthy dog - obesity leads to heart trouble, joint disease, liver problems and diabetes. So make sure your dog is sleek enough to show definitely separated chest and abdominal areas. When his waistline starts to spread, cut down on starch and carbohydrates and with-draw milk from his diet.

A balanced prepared dog food will provide all necessary nutrients and is more digestible. Over-weight dogs can be fed especially formulated diets to overcome the obesity.

The easiest way to weigh your dog is for you to pick him up and then stand on the bathroom scales. Then weigh yourself and deduct your own weight. Elderly dogs often get a bit thin, eat a lot more (or a lot less) and become more thirsty as their livers and kidneys wear out. If you suspect kidney trouble check with the vet who can often prescribe a suitable diet and drugs to help the senior citizen carry on reasonably well.

Old dogs may also get constipated, so add lots of bulky fibre to their diet and an occasional 'opening' dose of liquid paraffin. They may smell a bit too, but the vet can often help with this. The mouth is the commonest place to start smelling, but other causes are ears (especially in long-eared breeds like spaniels) and rear ends! Make sure the dog's rear hair is clipped short so it doesn't get soiled. A general all-over, non-specific pong may be 'old dog smell' from his coat - so bath him once a fortnight in an ordinary human shampoo with selenium in it. Now his courting and territorial days are over, he may get less fussy about his appearance and you may have to supplement his grooming.

Watch over your aging dog's teeth carefully, and catch tartar before it has a chance to build up. However, if grandpa dog does lose all his teeth, he can still make out alright if you cut his food up for him. Eyesight and hearing may also start to fail and the elderly dog may occasion-ally be incontinent. He may also get a bit cantankerous, and grumble at having to go for a walk on a rainy night. Remember to cosset him a bit more, just as you would a respected old gentleman, keep up all his vaccination boosters and watch over his health with care.

Finally, if your vet says he is rather too old or feeble to be contented or pain-free, you should steel yourself to give him the last favour of a dignified and painless end. If you can, stay with the dog to reassure him while the vet gives him a painless injection - and soon his troubles will be over.