OLD AGE & THE END OF LIFE

We have gone into some detail about the main stages of a dog’s life.  We have covered puppy hood and growing up, as well as fitting into the family as an adult.  However, after a dog has passed into its eighth or ninth year (a year or two earlier for the larger breeds) it can be considered to be ageing.

It is very important, as it is for ourselves, to look upon the final phase if life positively –that is, to make the most of the time there is left.  It is pointless to write off what can be very rewarding years of life.

The objective of every owner should be to help in every possible way to keep the dog healthy and happy in its maturity.  Much can be done to ease the ‘winding down’ process and the local veterinarian has a key roll to play in keeping the dogs as well as possible during this time.

The time will eventually come when such efforts are not effective enough and the dog has to be spared the unpleasant effects of terminal illness.  The difficulties of making such decisions have to be faced, but it is possible to make that process easeful and humane.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE DOG 

Ageing is not a specific condition, so each dog will be different.  Much will depend on the relative efficiency of each vital system in the body.  For example, if the heart and circulation are among the first to be unable to cope, then a different set of clinical signs will be apparent than if it is (say) the nervous system.  The first has a much better chance of being alleviated with appropriate treatment than the second.

Most older dogs are noticeably less active as the years pass.  Their will to do things will wane, and their ability to move about can also soon become restricted.  Much can be done to improve mobility by treating arthritis and muscular and other pains.  With reduced activity, the actual energy needs of the body are lessened.  That is, the dog will need fewer calories.

FOOD AND THE AGEING DOG 

Unfortunately, many dogs retain the same appetite and so consume more calories than they are using.  Because of this, owners have to be watchful for an accumulation of body fat (obesity) that can soon start to have an effect on the dig’s life span.

On the other hand some individuals may show a reduced appetite.  This may be due to a decrease in the senses, so that the dog can no longer appreciate the sight and smell of food as well as before.  Rather stronger smelling foods may be needed to provoke the dog’s senses.

Other dogs may actually need more food because their ability to digest and absorb the food they do eat is lessened as they get older.

Dogs frequently require attention to their teeth and gums as deposits accumulated on the teeth and gums soon become inflamed.  As this in itself can prevent a dog from eating properly, it is most important for the dog to have continuous dental care.  The vet can help, by inspecting, cleaning and polishing the dog’s teeth, to keep it able to eat properly every day.

Another effect of aging on dogs is that the gut may become less motile and so slow down the passage of food.  Constipation results, which can make life difficult for the older dog.  The transit of food through the gut can be speeded up where necessary by careful use of bulking agents such as bran, as well as lubricants like medicinal liquid paraffin.

Proprietary human laxatives must not be used and advice from the local veterinary practice should always be taken when dogs are constipated.

VETERINARY SURVEILLANCE 

It is clear from this that professional advice is needed for almost all aged dogs.  This should extend beyond the regular annual check-ups.  A veterinarian can assess the dog’s health much better if he or she has been the usual attendant on that dog.

The assessment of actual state of health of each organ and each body system is much more effective if it is done on a continuous basis, so that the current state can be compared with function in previous years.  This way a veterinarian can determine which body system needs attention and whether more food or less is required.

It may be necessary to return to feeding highly concentrated diets such as a canned puppy food, and to feed many small meals frequently, to allow the dog’s digestion to cope.  On the other hand when the kidneys begin to fail, it may be necessary to restrict the amount of protein in the diet.

From this it will be clear that the owner cannot know without professional advice whether to feed more or less protein, or whatever other measures are required.  As harm can be done by taking the wrong path it is most important to keep an aged dog under veterinary surveillance even when it is otherwise reasonably healthy.

INCONTINENCE 

Inability to control the passing of urine and feces is a common complication of old age.  It is always worth investigating, for when it is due to an infection or inflammation of the bladder or gut it is often possible to give effective treatment.

Where there is functional deterioration of the nerve supply or other irreversible change, then it may well be an indication to bring the dog’s life to an end.

BEDSORES 

A dog that is unable to move around freely tends to sink down to rest without much care, and so is liable to wear the skin down where the bones are near the surface.  So-called ‘bed’ or pressure sores are commonly seen on the limbs of older dogs, especially the heavier varieties.

These can be treated with soothing ointments, but it is better to try to avoid them by providing as comfortable a bed as possible, with plenty of cushions and blankets.  Such bedding has to be changed and washed frequently, but it is worth making the last years of a dog’s life as comfortable as possible.

GETTING ANOTHER PUPPY 

There is much to be said for getting another puppy as the senior member of the dog household begins to age.  This not only helps to make parting a little easier but it can even rejuvenate a dog that is getting a little tired of life but is otherwise healthy.

MANAGING EUTHANASIA 

It is extremely important for owners to take a positive attitude to parting with the pet animal.  Veterinarians are privileged to be allowed to spare a dog from the unpleasantness of terminal illness.  It is easy to deny the need to end a dog’s life when the bond of friendship has been so strong, but it is selfish if continuation will bring more suffering for the animal itself.

Regrettably, dogs’ lives are short compared with our own, so the pet owner may have to face parting several times in his or her own life, even when the animals live out their usual span.  On the other hand dogs should not be disposed of simply because they look a little ancient.  What matters is whether they can lead reasonably normal lives and, if they are not doing so, whether anything can be done about it.

Judging these points is far from easy, but it is something veterinarians do practically every day of their lives.  They have to ask themselves a number of questions about the case to help them make up their minds.  The questions may be quite obvious, but the answers are less so.  The table below lists some of these questions.

An important point to remember is that the veterinarian is there to advise and cannot force an owner to take his advice.  Owners are often reluctant to seek help for fear of being compelled to part with their animal before time.

Unfortunately, this can delay matters so long that the case may become beyond treatment when it could have been helped a little earlier.  So owners should always keep in close touch with their vet.

When euthanasia really is necessary, the matter should be discussed fully so that there is no ambiguity.  This is quite difficult, as euphemisms for euthanasia are frequently used.  ‘Putting to sleep’ is one to avoid as it can be ambiguous, and tragedies have occurred in the past for want of understanding.  The actual process of euthanasia (the word means a good or gentle death) can be explained by the vet.

The humane method is to inject a concentrated solution, as if an anesthetic was being given, into a vein.  This is made even more tranquil by the use of modern premedicants.  The difference is that anesthesia is deepened to the point of no return and the animal dies peacefully and with some dignity.

COPING AFTERWARDS 

As people develop very strong attachments to their pet animals (it is the reason we keep them after all) there is bound to be a period of difficulty after parting from them.  The veterinary practice staff can also help an owner through this phase, if only by reassuring them that the powerful feelings they experience are quite normal and will ease.

The experience is one of bereavement, just as with any other loss in the family.  The phases of denial, anger, depression and resolution are well recognized and a little unobtrusive support is usually helpful.

CARRYING ON 

Owners often feel uneasy about getting another puppy when an old dog has passed on.  The thought that ‘nothing will ever replace him’ is strongly felt.  If the new puppy is looked upon as carrying on the tradition or even the line, it can be more positive.  The new one is not a replacement, but a continuation of a tradition of pet ownership in the family.

Some thought should be given to the choice of time at which to introduce the youngster, as the stage of ‘mourning’ may not be right.  It is not fair on the puppy to start its new life in an atmosphere of anger or denial, but once depression starts to ease it can be of great benefit to everyone to have the attention directed towards bringing up and looking after the new member of the household.

from The Practical Guide to Dog & Puppy Care - Andrew Edney and Roger Mugford