Strategies to help manage age-related changes.
Introduction
Our beloved performance dogs. We’re lucky if we get to have them into their teens. But is it really luck? Good genetics? Good karma? Fortunately, our dogs are living longer for a plethora of reasons, including improved health care, diagnostics and treatment, but also better preventative medicine, nutritional breakthroughs and dental care. Understanding the nuances of senior dog health is crucial to maintaining their quality of life and extending their active years.
Below are some of the important changes in the physical and mental needs of our dogs as they age, followed by methods to manage them.
The Aging Process in Performance Dogs
As performance dogs enter their senior years, several health issues may arise due to age and years of leading an incredibly active lifestyle. Some of the conditions are inevitable, and some can be lessened or even avoided.
The true definition of “senior” is when a species reaches the last 25% of their predicted lifespan. A reality check for us and our dogs as this means on average they reach the senior life stage at 7. In this timeframe, there are a number of physiologic changes that occur as part of the natural aging process.
- Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions in the general dog population and even higher in our canine athletes. It is a disease that involves inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. The deterioration of the cartilage and surrounding tissue leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, eventually resulting in loss of muscle mass. Arthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain and discomfort in dogs and one of the leading conditions that results in retiring an agility or rally partner.
- Purina senior dog 500According to the Neurobiology of Aging, around age 7, changes in a dog’s glucose metabolism in the brain can affect memory, learning, awareness and decision-making. This can lead to changes in behavior like increased anxiety, loss of housetraining, aggression and sleep patterns. As the severity of the signs grows, it can be diagnosed as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
- Changes in the gastrointestinal tract can have a ripple effect on the whole body.
- The villi, or the small fingerlike projections that absorb the nutrients from the food, can become thickened and gnarled and this decreases how well digestion occurs. Without the proper amount of protein being absorbed, muscle atrophy, changes in skin and hair coat, and a decrease in immunity can occur.
- The microflora in senior dogs can also start to change. The diversity in the population and the quantity of beneficial bacteria decreases, which can then lead to decreased immune health and signs like loose stool or diarrhea.
- As dogs age, their metabolism gradually slows down. If adjustments to their nutrition are not made, overweightness and obesity can result. Research has demonstrated that being just 10-15% overweight can have a profound effect on the frequency and severity of arthritis; and moreover, it can shorten their lifespan significantly. Obesity is also a chronic inflammatory condition and can have a compounding effect if arthritis is also present.
- Dental disease affects about 75% of the dog population over the age of 3 with varying degrees of severity. A painful, infected oral cavity can decrease our dog’s success in the agility or rally ring, and recent studies have shown a correlation between oral health and cognitive decline.
Preventative Care and Management
The laundry list above sounds daunting, but to quote Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Managing the changes in senior dog health involves a combination of preventative care, regular monitoring and small changes, which can have a profound effect on the quality and quantity of not only their agility or rally careers but also their overall life.
Regular, bi-annual checkups with your veterinarian and annual blood work can often help detect small problems before they escalate. A physical exam is the best diagnostic tool a veterinarian has, capitalizing on their highly trained eyes, ears and hands.
Managing osteoarthritis — because we cannot technically treat it as it can’t be cured — is a multi-pronged approach and should start with a consultation with your veterinarian.
Adjustments to the quantity of food and treats may need to be made if your sport dog is overweight. Check the Body Condition Score to see if your dog is in ideal body condition.
Pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like carprofen or meloxicam, are usually the first line of defense against arthritic pain. Gabapentin, amantadine and others can be added in to address the pain in a different way.
Nutraceuticals, which are nutritional supplements with medicinal effects, can help support the joints. Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and CBD are some of the ones commonly used; but as with any supplement, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian for a specific recommendation as it can be the wild west out there in the supplement industry.
Acupuncture, massage and physical rehabilitation can be another route to help relieve pain and increase strength and mobility.
Navigating behavioral changes
Take note of the small changes as they could be early signs of a larger potential problem. Staying ahead of the game may help slow the cognitive decline. A study published in the Journal of British Nutrition on cognitive function in Beagles ages 7 to 11 showed that certain botanical oils, like those derived from coconut oil, can be used as an alternative energy source for the brain and improve mental sharpness and alertness.
Their physical activity level, frequency and intensity will have to be scaled back as they age, and providing an outlet for their mental energy may help reduce anxiety and frustration. Feeding puzzles, nose work and other low impact exercises can help keep their high-drive brains engaged without overtaxing their bodies. Addressing their oral health
The most effective/safest way to clean teeth, especially in senior dogs, is under anesthesia where the oral cavity can be examined thoroughly and possibly include radiographs.
We have a saying in veterinary medicine, “age is not a disease.” Any anesthetic procedure comes with inherent risk; however, taking the proper precautions, including blood work and a clear anesthetic plan, can help minimize potentially negative outcomes. Because dogs are so proficient at hiding pain (and our sport dogs are often even more so), it’s often not until after the dental cleaning that we realize how much their oral health was affecting their overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Caring for senior performance dogs requires an approach of first, an awareness of the unique health changes that arise with aging and, secondly, the proactive management of these changes. Through regular veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, modified exercise, pain management, and cognitive health support, sporting dog owners can ensure their beloved canine athletes continue to lead healthy and fulfilling lives well into their golden years.
About RuthAnn Lobos, DVM, CCRT, CVAT
Dr. Lobos brings almost two decades of experience to the pet food industry, collaborating with veterinary and scientific thought leaders to promote and share knowledge about nutritional science to help pets live better, longer lives. As a senior veterinarian for Nestlé Purina Pet Care, she has managed the brand’s comprehensive VIP experience as well as its robust partnership with the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Photos on this page courtesy of Purina