Story and photos by Karen Dugan Holman, BS, BSE, MS
There she was — my new foster dog. I had seen her shelter pictures; she was a beautiful, cream-colored Retriever. I anxiously waited for the veterinarian to bring her into the lobby.
Snowball slowly and stiffly rounded the corner, her toenails dragging and knuckling on the tile. I took a deep breath, knelt and embraced her. My heart filled with warmth as she melted into my arms. I felt her tense muscles relax. Her soft, freshly bathed coat seemed to fill the room with the scent of warm oatmeal cookies. From that moment, we were bonded.
While Snowball was my first foster “hospice” dog, I knew what to expect from a senior, as I had been down the “golden years” road more times than I could count. My dad used to tell me, “If you look into your dog’s eyes, you can see your soul. You will know if you have done your job well.”
He passionately instilled in me the need to treat my dogs with respect and compassion, regardless of age or breed. Snowball was no exception. No matter what lay ahead, the best was yet to come for Miss Snowball. Being informed and having realistic expectations can help prepare you, too, for life with a senior dog.
What can you expect as your dog enters the golden years? Senior dogs experience changes in their bodies much like humans do. Eyesight and hearing wane, joints begin to ache and stiffen, and behaviors may change. Abnormalities in gait, mobility and posture often signal neuromuscular dysfunction. Pain, metabolic disease and sensory loss can alter an animal’s perception of its environment and, in turn, its ability to respond. Cognitive impairment may increase anxiety and reduce the ability to cope with new situations.
According to Charles McWilliams, DVM, of Jenks Veterinary Hospital, “Aging is not a diagnosis.” Too often he hears owners describe their dogs’ behaviors and physical problems as just “old age.” In his experience, the most common complaints in senior dogs involve mobility or behavioral changes, many of which are treatable. The first step, he said, is identifying the cause through a senior dog examination to establish a health baseline for tracking progress or decline.
Is it possible for dogs to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s-like conditions? Like Alzheimer’s in humans, dogs can have a progressive disease called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. An estimated 14 percent of dogs over 8 years of age show some symptoms, and 68 percent of dogs ages 15-16 have symptoms of cognitive impairment.
McWilliams describes CCD as a diagnosis of exclusion; there is not one specific test to rule out CCD. A veterinarian must first rule out other possible causes, such as pain, hormonal issues, sensory function changes, inflammation, neoplasms, autoimmune disorders, organ deficiency or failure, and infections. Behavioral changes are often the clearest markers, reflecting a decline in the brain areas responsible for memory and learning.
Some behavioral changes associated with CCD:
Forgetting where the water bowl or other familiar items are
Irritability
Staring at walls or becoming disoriented; seeming lost or confused
Barking or whining at nothing apparent
Change in sleep patterns
Decrease in play or exploration
Forgetting house training
Seeking attention, touching, following owner; becoming withdrawn
New or heightened behaviors, such as fear, destructiveness, phobias or separation anxiety
Reacting to things that were once familiar
Stereotypic behaviors, such as pacing
Reduced ability to learn or remember
McWilliams recommends a multimodal approach to treating CCD, combining management, enrichment, nutrition, pharmacology and routine geriatric veterinary examinations.
Management
Dogs with CCD are not cured, but the condition can be managed, allowing them to lead comfortable and enriched lives. Careful supervision is key to keeping them safe, as they may be prone to accidents — often from falls — or to wandering off. Keep their environment as consistent as possible; avoid moving furniture and maintain established routines for meals, bedtime and bathroom breaks.
A firm, warm bed will help keep their joints from aching while they rest. Placing dog beds, food and water bowls in a variety of locations in the house allows disoriented dogs to find the necessities while wandering. All staircases, decks, swimming pools or other dangers should be blocked off. A breakdown in house training may emerge. Remember, the dog is not lazy or trying to be bad — he may have simply forgotten the routine. Belly bands and doggy diapers may be needed to prevent house-soiling.
Cataracts, a common eye disorder in older dogs, can affect their vision, especially in low light. Adding night lights throughout the home can help them as they move through what they perceive as dark areas. Small environmental modifications like these can go a long way in maintaining a dog’s quality of life.
Enrichment
It is also important to keep senior dogs active and enriched. Any positive reinforcement-based training, exercise and supervised social engagement can support the mental fitness of an aging dog. However, it is important to know your dog’s limitations. Avoid overly strenuous activity and modify exercise to reduce pain. Activity feeders, such as Buster Cube, KONG or Toppl toys, keep their brains challenged. Nose work, FitPaw training and relearning forgotten behaviors are excellent ways to spend quality time together. Of course, don’t forget lots of love and affection. Enrichment of the environment and comfort are key for helping any aging dog thrive.
Pharmacology and Nutrition
Providing the building blocks to support decreased cognitive function is necessary, explains McWilliams. Anipryl (selegiline hydrochloride) is one medication widely prescribed for dogs with CCD. It has been shown to slow the progression of CCD and improve the affected dog’s brain function. Senilife is a nonprescription supplement your veterinarian may recommend to combat behavioral changes associated with brain aging. Stem cell transplants are reported to be highly effective at decreasing or stopping the progression of CCD.
Melatonin, a hormone, is another supplement that can be given to dogs struggling with sleep cycles. A variety of studies suggest a high intake of fruits and vegetables, vitamins E and C, and Omega-3 fatty acids have decreased the risk for cognitive decline. Prescription diets like Canine b/d by Hill’s Pet Nutrition has been found to improve performance on a number of cognitive tasks after two to eight weeks.
Routine Geriatric Exams
McWilliams recommends older dogs have a geriatric examination every six months. This includes blood and urine tests to rule out physical conditions that can be treated as well as the effects of medications being used. Open communication with your veterinarian will help you to maintain the welfare of your aging dog.
The Privilege of Caring for Senior Pets
Heather Owen, DVM, of Animal Acupuncture and Canine Sports Medicine Facility, has a passion for senior patients. “They are full of wisdom and complexity. To gain the title of senior usually involves complications, compensation and a lifetime of masking pain or dysfunction,” she says.
Seniors keep her on her toes — not only as she uncovers all they’ve been through, but also by reminding her to stay humble. Despite everything, they continue to love, serve and protect their families without expecting anything in return. Owen’s favorite part of working with senior pets is seeing their youthful spirits through their eyes and snuggling their gray muzzles. Watching them learn to trust, curl up in her lap and wag their tails in gratitude is all part of the blessing. She says senior pets rarely ask for help, but they are always grateful when someone steps in to improve their quality of life.
My Maddie, a frosty-faced black Labrador Retriever we rescued from a shelter, was a small, flea-ridden puppy. In the blink of an eye, she reached 17 years. With multiple knee surgeries, she struggled with mobility. I will always remember our slow, meandering walks through the grass to retrieve the morning paper. The sun sparkled in her gray muzzle.
She gave much of her life providing comfort and love to humans as a licensed therapy dog. I would look into her eyes — clouded with cataracts — and still, she’d let me know I had done my job well. Senior dogs fill my heart with warmth. Consider opening your home to a senior dog, so you can experience the quiet love and unwavering loyalty they so graciously offer.
