Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

in fact, be due to disease, and therefore preventable or at least treatable.
Understand that many old dog problems are not curable but can be controlled
or, at the very least, the rate of progression slowed.
Care should be taken to prevent an old dog from becoming chilled. After a
walk in the rain, the dog should be towel-dried and kept indoors. Many old
dogs appreciate coats or sweaters when they are outside in inclement weather,
and even inside on chilly days.
MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS
GERIATRICS • 549
Author Debra Eldredge’s
old Belgian Tervuren.
Signs of aging include loss of muscle tone and strength, especially in the legs.
The abdomen may sag, the back may sway, and the elbows may turn out. The
muscles may begin to shake when the dog physically exerts himself.
Most older dogs suffer to some extent from osteoarthritis. Stiffness in the
joints is made worse by drafts and by sleeping on cold, hard, or damp floors,
such as tile or cement. Make a comfortable bed for the dog indoors on a wellpadded
surface. Toy dogs may need to be covered at night.
There is nothing more beneficial for an older dog than regular, moderate exercise.
Exercise improves muscle tone and strength, keeps the joints supple, helps
prevent weight gain, and promotes a youthful attitude. However, an older dog
should not be forced to exercise beyond his comfort level. If the dog has been
sedentary and out of condition, gradually begin to add more exercise as his
conditioning improves. A couple of short walks daily is better than one long
walk that leaves the dog exhausted.