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

556 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
When feeding geriatric dogs, it is a good idea to divide the daily ration into
two equal parts. Feed the first half in the morning and the second half in the
evening. Some dogs may do even better with three meals daily, because their
systems digest the smaller amounts of food more easily or they need the “pick
up” of calories spread throughout the day. If your elderly dog is on a set feeding
schedule due to health problems, consult your veterinarian before changing
anything.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Geriatric dogs may have increased mineral and vitamin requirements. B vitamins
are lost in the urine of elderly dogs with reduced kidney function. The
intestinal tract’s ability to absorb vitamins also decreases as the dog ages.
Fortunately, high-quality commercial dog foods contain enough vitamins and
minerals to meet the needs of senior dogs. If you are feeding your dog a premium
food, vitamin supplements should not be necessary.
Antioxidants slow down or prevent the damage done to cells by free radicals.
Free radicals are the result of oxidation processes that occur in normal
and damaged tissue. A free radical is a molecule that is missing an electron.
This molecule basically “steals” an electron from a protein or a piece of DNA,
causing damage to that cell. Antioxidants donate a molecule to the free radical,
which neutralizes its effects. This also ends the usefulness of the antioxidant,
so these substances need to be replaced.
There is some evidence that the accumulation of free radicals accelerates
the aging process, and it may even lead to degenerative diseases such as
osteoarthritis. Although specific proof is lacking, many veterinarians believe
antioxidants can benefit older dogs. The antioxidants used most often are
vitamin E, vitamin C, and co-enzyme Q. You can safely supplement your dog’s
diet using an antioxidant product prescribed by your veterinarian.
SPECIAL DIETS
Prescription diets, such as those from Purina and Hill’s, may be required for
dogs with heart disease, kidney disease, intestinal disease, or obesity. There is
also the Hill’s b/d diet for older dogs with cognitive problems. They are available
through your veterinarian.
Hospice Care
Hospice or home care for dogs has come to the forefront in recent years. It can
be an option when your dog has a terminal illness and you don’t want to pursue
more aggressive medical care, but would like to provide comfort care for as