Wordless Wednesday: National Dog Party Day…For Seniors!
by Christy Caplan
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June 21, 2016 
Caring for Seniors in Your Pack:
These are just a few fun pics and tips as I’m headed to Blog Paws! After Blog Paws I’ll write about the wellness visit we had with Bruiser over the weekend and provide details on AAHA accreditation hospital guidelines but this is just a taste.
How to celebrate National Dog Party Day – let’s celebrate taking care of our aging seniors:
I read a great article in The Dog Watch Newsletter – issued by Cornell University years ago. When I schedule our annual wellness appointments I think about these suggestions given by Dr. Goldstein for aging dog care:
- Be vigilant about your dog’s overall health — for Bruisy and Sherm I’m always looking for lumps that shouldn’t be there
- Our wellness visits include blood work and for Bruisy that means twice a year: This is also important since we have annual dentals and pre-bloodwork is key
- Exercise: I walk Bruisy three times a day around our “short block” which takes about 15-20 minutes. BUT if he’s having an off day or it’s too hot than we stick to 1-2 walks
- Obesity: I make sure all the dogs are at good weights — I know obesity can lead to a lot of problems so I try to watch this
- For Bruiser, and his IVDD, we see an Acupuncturist every three weeks so considering pain management for your senior may be something you want to think about
What would you add to this list?
Senior Bruisy: celebrate every moment in your senior years!
Good list! We’re actually concerned with weight loss in our older dog, not weight gain. But I can’t really think of anything to add to your list at the moment. Probably because my head is focused on BlogPaws! Can’t wait to meet you!
Thank you! I cannot wait to meet you!! The weight issue is tough as we try really hard to keep weight off but it seems to fluctuate a lot. Are you there now? How hot is it?
Hi, Bruiser! I’ve been writing a lot about my senior dog too. She started limping on her hind leg the other day. 🙁 Thanks for the reminder about acupuncture! We have a nice holistic vet in town. I might just take her there if the “western Vet” medicine doesn’t get her better soon.
Oh my gosh: me too — I feel like I spend so much time thinking about all these senior issues it’s what I lean towards when I’m writing. I’m so sorry, I’m hopping over to your blog now. Was it a soft tissue injury? I think Acupuncture helps Bruisy a lot… and with all sort of things. It’s worth a try for sure….
As for now, none of my dogs are seniors yet; but I do watch their weight! Amy has HD, so weight is very important!! Thank you for sharing these awesome tips, I’ll make sure to send them to my mother in law, her little pooch is turning 17 (!) this year!!
Have fun at BlogPaws!!
Thank you! 17!!! That’s amazing :). I’m so happy to hear that and I’m sad I won’t get to meet you in person.
Terrific information! I really need to start looking for a holistic vet for our Senior Shasta. Thanks for the reminder! See you at BlogPaws!
Thank you! I like to refer to those tips before our senior wellness exams. See you soon! Yes – I love our holistic vet and our regular GP vet, both are so awesome and it’s nice to have two different POVs.
Great post! I just had Tut at the vet last night for a lump check-up… so far they seem to be benign “fatty lumps” which is good!
Thank you! Shermie has those everywhere – there is one on his arm so large we named it. I’m so glad all of Tut’s are the same thing, boring fatty lumps….
Have a fantastic time in Arizona! Can’t wait to see/read all about it. 🙂
Safe travels girl!
Thank you! I wish you were going… Have a good rest of the week!
Thanks! What’s your email? I’ll send you notes.
This is such a great reminder that we need to be a bit more vigilant monitoring our senior pets, their health can change so quickly! Healthy weight and dentals are 2 things we are always talking about, both are serious but preventable with the right care.
Thanks! Our senior doxie has good and bad days so making sure what those not so great days consist of have helped me monitor his health!
I’m a senior myself now, so we make sure I get my senior exams, plenty of exercise, a good diet, physical and mental stimulation and Mom always checks for any problems or changes with me. Most important, love your senior and cherish them while you can.
I agree –the most important thing is to love those seniors, I miss Bruiser and cannot wait to see him. We missed you at Blog Paws Emma.