We all get older, and so do our four-legged friends. However, the aging process is faster in dogs. Depending on the breed and history, the first signs of aging can appear in dogs as early as around six years of age.
Your dog used to chase every rabbit and couldn't get enough of playing and romping around. He was always ready for a romp with other young wild dogs to establish the pecking order in the park.
The aging dog exudes something different. A certain dignity, a calmness that comes from within. He no longer has anything to prove to himself or his human and prefers to lie in his spot rather than poke the younger dogs. He only does that in extreme emergencies. We could almost say that the old dog seems a little wise. He also understands his human almost blindly. Many years together have created a close, special relationship. The senior knows the rules and knows how to behave. Yes, certain age-related illnesses can now cause problems. To prevent this as much as possible, it is a good idea to take your senior dog for regular check-ups at the vet.
Here is a list of conditions that should be included on a checklist for older dogs:
These are some of the symptoms that may indicate a problem and that you should therefore discuss with your veterinarian as soon as they appear:
You can ensure that your dog enjoys a high quality of life even in old age. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Your dog will feel the love you show him. And a good human-dog team can overcome the challenges of old age together.
A very special friendship can develop between children and dogs. However, it is important for parents and dog owners to observe a few basic rules. And it is also important to remember that some dog-child pairs are simply not meant for each other, and this must be recognized responsibly. The basis for a partnership with a dog is always respectful and loving interaction—and training with clear rules for human-dog communication.
A horse stands in its stall with its head hanging down and a high fever. Other horses in the stable show similar symptoms. The veterinarians treating them suspect a viral infection and send blood samples to the laboratory. If a herpes virus infection is detected, this usually spells disaster for many horse owners and breeders. To contain the spread of this highly contagious infection, entire stables must be closed and competitions canceled, which can quickly lead to immense economic losses. But how do the animals become infected so suddenly?
Horse owners are probably more familiar with phlegmon under the colloquial term "shooter." It is a purulent inflammation of the connective tissue and lymph vessels of the subcutaneous tissue, which occurs primarily on the limbs and can lead to massive swelling and pain.
Megaesophagus (mega = large; esophagus = food pipe) describes a pathological enlargement of the esophagus. In the case of megaesophagus, the esophagus is not contracted by the muscles as usual, but is abnormally dilated and filled with air as a result of muscle paralysis.
An interesting question: Where is it better for a dog to live? In the city or in the country? There are good arguments for both.
This adrenal gland disorder, also known as Addison's disease, was first described in humans in 1855 by Thomas Addison (chief physician at a London hospital), after whom it was named. It causes adrenal insufficiency (also known as hypoadrenocorticism), which is the partial or total failure of hormone production in the adrenal cortex. It is much less common in dogs than adrenal hyperfunction (Cushing's disease), but can lead to life-threatening symptoms. It primarily affects middle-aged female dogs of large breeds.
Mites are small pests that belong to the arachnid family. Cats can be affected by various types of mites, which live either in the fur, on or in the skin, and in the ear area, causing severe itching. In addition, a mite infestation always carries the risk of transmission to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Every rider has probably heard of this disease. It has been known for decades and is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses. Spavin is actually an umbrella term for all inflammatory and chronic changes in the hock joints. The disease is classified as lameness caused by wear and tear and affects older horses in particular. Contrary to popular belief, however, a diagnosis of spavin does not mean that your horse is no longer rideable. With a carefully tailored treatment plan and an appropriate exercise program, this condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.
Cataracts describe the clouding of the lens in a dog's eye, which, similar to humans, is one of the most common causes of blindness. The condition therefore requires veterinary treatment, as modern surgical techniques can now preserve vision in dogs.
Obstetrics deals with monitoring pregnancy, preparing for and assisting with childbirth, providing postnatal care, and performing any necessary surgical procedures, such as caesarean sections. It is a branch of gynecology.
Cats are among the most popular pets worldwide. Around 15.7 million domestic cats live in Germany. However, living with cats has changed significantly in recent decades. From farm cats that caught mice, they have increasingly become domestic cats that have had to adapt to their owners' daily routines. Restricted in their desire for freedom, the majority of these cats now live exclusively indoors. This can result in varying degrees of behavioral changes in cats.
When keeping horses, we as owners are constantly challenged to consider what might be best for our horses. One positive development in horse husbandry is that more and more stables are trying to offer conditions that meet horses' natural needs for sufficient free movement and contact with other horses. However, keeping horses exclusively in groups, such as in an open or active stable, may not be the best option for every horse, especially in the case of stallions or older horses with special needs. It is up to us to decide on the best form of care for each individual horse and to create the best conditions for them. One aspect of this is the choice of bedding in the stall or the lying area of our horse.
