Diseases that affect older dogs can be more serious simply because the dog is older.
Our pet dogs are susceptible to many of the same diseases that we as humans have to deal with. Here is a list of the most common diseases that can affect your pet and the symptoms or warning signs to guide you in knowing when to contact your vet. Some are serious and require immediate attention while others may have slow onsets and can be more difficult to diagnose. Many of these diseases affect older dogs more than younger ones, but a dog’s age does not render it immune to any of these debilitating diseases. When deciding whether any of these symptoms affecting your dog are serious enough to warrant a visit to the vet, you should always err on the side of caution and contact your vet when any of these symptoms persist in your pet.
- Cancer – Signs and Symptoms
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that do not heal
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any opening in the body
Unusually strong stinky odor
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Hesitant to exercise or suffers from a loss of stamina
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
- Dental disease – Signs and Symptoms
Bad breath
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Weight loss
- Arthritis – Signs and Symptoms
Difficulty getting up from prone position
Difficulty climbing steps and/or jumping
Behavior changes – irritable, reclusive
Urinating or defecating inside the house
Loss of muscle
- Kidney disease/failure – Signs and Symptoms
Increased urination and thirst
Weight loss
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Pale gums
Diarrhea
Blood in vomit or black, tarry stool
Bad breath and oral ulcers
Behavior change
- Prostate disease – Signs and Symptoms
Urinating or defecating inside the house
Dribbling urine
Blood in urine
- Cataracts – Signs and Symptoms
Cloudy appearance to the eyes
Bumping into objects large enough to be avoided
Not retrieving objects when thrown
- Hypothyroidism – Signs and Symptoms
Weight gain
Dry, thin coat
Lethargy and/or depression
- Cushing’s disease – Signs and Symptoms
Thin coat and thin skin
Increased thirst and urination
Pot-bellied appearance
Abnormally increased appetite
- Urinary incontinence – Signs and Symptoms
Urinating in the bed or the area where the dog was sleeping
- Gastrointestinal disease – Signs and Symptoms
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Blood in stool
Black and/or tarry stool
- Inflammatory bowel disease – Signs and Symptoms
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Mucous or blood in stool
Increased frequency of defecation
- Diabetes mellitus – Signs and Symptoms
Increased thirst and urination
Weight loss
- Anemia – Signs and Symptoms
Exercise intolerance
Very light-colored gums
- Liver disease – Signs and Symptoms
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Behavior changes
Yellow or pale gums
As you can see from this list of symptoms, it would be nearly impossible to self-diagnose your pet with any of these diseases that can affect older dogs. If you notice that one or more of the above symptoms persist for any length of time, make an appointment with your vet and have your dog thoroughly checked for these serious diseases. You owe your faithful companion the best care you can afford.
