The Golden Years
As he grows older your Glen will need you to be vigilant regarding his changing needs. Just as with humans his body is changing effecting his mobility, metabolism, immune system, hearing, etc. We must look for signs of irritability around boisterous dogs and children. In addition, although he still loves to be included in the family routine and affection, he will enjoy quiet times alone in his favourite places.
A twice yearly check up by your vet is important for an older dog and you can discuss any concerns you may have. Regular weekly grooming is vital not only for maintaining a healthy skin and coat but also for spotting lumps and bumps. Remember the 3 T’s. Teeth need to be regularly checked, especially if he has shown difficulty with eating and depending on gender, check teats or testicles for any abnormalities.
Many bitches develop benign mammary lumps and males can develop prostate problems both need the opinion of your vet. Observe your dog drinking and urinating as you will be asked about any changes. Nails will need regular grinding or clipping because in older dogs, nails start to splay out more when road walking so they don’t wear down naturally as in younger dogs.
Dietary needs change too because he doesn’t have the same energy level as before, therefore weight gain can be a problem.
A lower calorie senior diet is an option for controlling weight gain but a much older underweight dog with a poor appetite will need a higher calorie diet without the bulk. I have found ‘a little and often’ works much better for dogs aged 12 years plus ie. four small meals spread out through the day rather than two larger ones. Older dogs, like humans, can be prone to dehydration so access to fresh water is vital.
Arthritis
Arthritis can cause stiffness and pain just as for humans. Having this problem myself makes it easier to spot the signs. An arthritic dog will be slow to get going in the morning so won’t appreciate attempting a long walk before breakfast! Don’t wait until old age before considering the benefits of a good joint supplement. I also use Devils Claw Liquid, a natural ant-inflammatory, for both myself and the Glens resulting in a significant improvement.
Aching joints need the comfort of a good quality memory foam bed and it is essential to keep warm in cold weather. My old Glens appreciate a lined waterproof jacket for walks and a thick warm coat at bedtime during the winter. A ramp is a must for getting in and out of crates in the car boot for ANY age of Glen. Remember a Glen is a heavy dog on short legs so jumping up and down from the tail gate will cause joint problems sooner or later, just as constantly jumping on/off the sofa and going up/down flights of stairs.
Exercise at the right level is important into old age. Gentle exercise will keep the muscles toned to aid joint support. I avoid exercising my dogs both young and old during the hottest part of the day.
Finally my Glens whatever their age enjoy a massage to a relaxation tape developed especially for dogs by Margrit Coates. It’s a time of the day to enjoy the benefits of one to one attention, both mentally and physically. I have also called in a McTimoney massage practitioner to work on any obvious problems and she has given me a daily plan to follow.
Contacts
The following web pages may be of help:
- www.lintbells.com Yumove joint supplement
- www.animal-health.co.uk Devil’s Claw and other products
- www.dorwest.com General supplements
- www.easyanimal.co.uk Solvit UltraLite Bi-fold Pet ramp
- www.newworld music ‘Animal Healing’ CD by Margrit Coates
plus her booklet on massage techniques for various animals
A search for Mc Timoney practitioners will provide a list
and like wise a search for memory foam dog bed stockists.
Enjoy the golden years with your Glens. Stay vigilant and sadly the time will come when they will tell you it’s time to take their leave. The final kindness you can give your old friend is to put his bed in the car boot, ask the vet to administer a sedative and twenty minutes later an injection will send him happily on his way over the Rainbow Bridge, grateful for all the good times you’ve had together over the years.
Ann Quinn
This page is reproduced from an article in the Summer 2016 edition of ‘Roaming Thro The Glen’, by Ann Quinn and is reproduced here with full permission.