Along with more rest, slower walks and extra toilet breaks, an ageing dog needs to be monitored carefully to spot any new health issues early. Here are the signs to watch out for.
Thanks to advancements in diet and treatment, our dogs are living longer, which means we get to enjoy more priceless years with them.
However, as your dog enters their senior years, new health concerns can suddenly begin to surface. While slowing down and a sprinkling of grey fur are both natural signs of ageing, it can be difficult to tell when something more serious is happening.
As senior dogs are more susceptible to certain health issues and diseases, being proactive, trusting your instincts and noticing early signs of illness become all the more important. To help you care for your dog, here are three key senior dog health issues you shouldn’t ignore.
Signs of pain and discomfort
Some senior dog health issues can be tricky to spot, and arthritis is a prime example. This common condition is more widespread than many pet owners realise, with 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old often being affected.
Arthritis tends to develop slowly, and its symptoms can creep up over time, which means your dog may not show obvious signs of pain right away. Many dogs also learn to cope with this discomfort, making it harder for owners to notice until the arthritis is more advanced.
Left unchecked, arthritis can seriously impact your senior dog’s quality of life, making it harder for them to enjoy the walks, rest and activities they once loved.
How you can take action
If you notice your dog limping, taking longer to get up after rest or showing signs of being more lethargic or snappy than usual, it’s a good idea to schedule a checkup with your vet.
Early intervention with treatments like pain-relief medications or glucosamine supplements can ease arthritis symptoms in senior dogs and help them enjoy their golden years with less discomfort.
New lumps and bumps on their body
When it comes to senior dog health, it's common for lumps to develop on the skin, and most of the time they’re nothing to worry about. However, if something about the lump doesn’t seem quite right or your instincts are telling you to take a closer look, it’s important to lean into your gut feeling.
In some cases, your dog’s lymph nodes (the glands found both inside and on the surface of their body) could become swollen, forming small lumps under the skin, typically around the neck, belly or behind the legs. These lumps might point to something more serious, such as canine lymphoma, a type of cancer that accounts for up to 20% of all cancer cases in dogs over the age of 10.
This cancer, like many others, is caused by cell mutations, and age and genetics can play a role. Some dog breeds, like Chow Chows, Golden Retrievers and Basset Hounds, are more prone to it than others. While lymphoma is one of the more common cancers affecting older dogs, the good news is that it’s highly treatable if caught early.
How you can take action
If you notice a lump or swelling, schedule a vet checkup and ask your vet to show you where your dog’s lymph nodes are during the examination. Typically, they’ll guide you on how best to feel for lumps around your dog’s neck, as well as under the front legs, in the belly area and behind the back legs.
Home grooming sessions are an excellent opportunity to check your dog’s glands regularly, so you can become familiar with their body and spot any changes as soon as they appear. If you have Petplan dog insurance, you can video chat for free with an expert. Simply log into your My Petplan account to get personalised advice on how to perform a home health check for your dog.
Changes to their eyesight
Glaucoma is a serious senior dog health condition that affects the pressure inside your dog’s eyes. The tricky part is that the symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss at first; you might notice small changes like a slightly dilated pupil, mild redness or your dog squinting.
As the pressure builds, your dog may also start pawing at their face, trying to soothe the discomfort. Since dogs often rely on their other healthy eye, they may not show obvious signs, making it harder for you to spot the issue early on.
If it’s not caught in time, glaucoma can have serious consequences and lead to blindness. It can also affect both eyes. However, when it’s detected early, the damage can often be slowed or even prevented.
How you can take action
Taking just a couple of minutes each day to check your senior dog’s eyes can help you spot any changes before they become a bigger issue.
If you notice any new ocular issues in your senior dog, make sure to book a visit to your vet to have it checked out immediately. It’s far better to err on the side of caution, and the sooner you act, the more likely you are to help preserve your dog’s sight.
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