Older doggos

You blinked, and suddenly your exuberant puppy has turned into a sweet old geriatric! But don’t worry – with some extra care and lifestyle adjustments, your beloved friend should be able to enjoy a lot more quality time with you yet.

Joints

It’s common for dogs over eight years to develop painful arthritis, which can be hard to recognise, as it doesn’t always cause obvious signs such as limping. Monitor your pet for symptoms such as stiffness after exercise, difficulties rising from rest, and reluctance to jump up or climb stairs.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to book your pet in for a check-up. There are many effective arthritis treatments to improve your pet’s joint mobility and comfort.

Lumps

If you notice any new lumps on your pet, we recommend a prompt veterinary assessment. We can offer lump testing to see if any further treatment is warranted – this is always best to be done sooner rather than later.

Teeth

Dental disease is very common in dogs, sometimes even from a relatively young age. It can cause pain, infections and contribute to poor general health. Book your pet in for a check-up if you notice any bad breath, redness of the gums or discoloured teeth. A dental scale and polish procedure may be recommended to clean the teeth, we can explain more about what’s involved.

Behaviour changes

Whilst we expect old dogs to slow down a little, it’s not normal for them to become very withdrawn, anxious or unsettled. These symptoms can be caused by either medical issues or age-related cognitive decline (i.e. “dementia”). If you notice behaviour changes in your pet, it’s best to get them assessed by one of our veterinarians, as there are supportive treatments which can support optimal health in their twilight years.

Ideally, we’d love to give your old dog a check-up twice-yearly. This way, we can help them stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.