#older dog

[fuckface-mcshitass]

Status update #1

as of today, my dog has survived: almost two pounds of chocolate, close to 40 grapes, three wasps, nineteen ticks, two skunks, and 20 milligrams of cannabis over her nine years of life

[twilightbeam]

my little baby

[deebrisbyfish]

No poodles were harmed in the making of this comic strip. In reality, we've had steps for Poe to get up and down off of our bed for a few YEARS now, but I've been a bit reluctant to show that he's getting older in the strip itself. But despite our best denial, he's not a puppy anymore and has become quite the grumpy old man of late. He is still, however, a bundle of manic energy and a regular source for laughs, so we're all good there. :) Also, if you're a fan of the comic, please help by VOTING for FINDING DEE in the 2024 RINGO AWARDS at www.ringoawards.com today!

[patchworkphoenix]

Look at her, in her self made nest. Her sweet little face.

[nessies-ark]

Silver fox Atom

[aquabrrat]

my girl is the cutest witch you’ve ever seen !

her name is Sophie

[merrybarkstudio]

Cognitive Dysfunction in Pets

As pets age they can suffer cognitive dysfunction. And though there will never come a time when pups or kitty forgets where he left his keys, he might withdraw from his family, become disoriented in his home, cry for no reason, or have sleeping problems. As with humans, the exact cause of cognitive dysfunction is unknown, though it is related to aging and changes in the brain. Sadly, there is no cure, and the problem is progressive. There are medications for dogs that can help, but so far no medication has been approved for cats.

Overview

Most people are familiar with terms like Alzheimer’s disease or senility when it comes to humans. It should come as no surprise, then, that geriatric dogs and cats can develop a very similar condition known as cognitive dysfunction (CD).

Researchers are still trying to understand all the changes that occur in the brains of pets with CD, but studies have determined that deposits of a protein called beta-amyloid play a role. These deposits have an adverse affect on brain function. Interestingly, research on Alzheimer’s disease in humans has reported similar findings.

The exact prevalence of CD in dogs and cats is not well documented. However, evidence suggests that the disease becomes more common as pets age. In one study, CD affected 47 percent of dogs ages 11 to 12 years old and 86 percent of dogs ages 15 to 16 years old.

Symptoms and Identification

Some of the subtle clinical signs of CD can be difficult to distinguish from regular signs of aging. These include things like slowing down and becoming less active. However, dogs and cats with CD also exhibit other signs, including:

House soiling (“forgetting” how to use the litterbox or eliminating outside the box for cats)

Decreased activity

Decreased attention

Disorientation

Pacing

Vocalization (often for no reason)

Staring (sometimes at walls)

Changes in sleep cycles (wandering at night)

Withdrawing from interactions with family members

Anxiety

Some pets can seem to not know family members and even exhibit aggressive behavior toward other pets or members of the household, as if they are strangers. Pet owners may also report that a pet has forgotten tricks, behaviors, and regular routines that were well established earlier in life. Veterinarians typically begin the diagnostic process for CD by reviewing a pet’s medical history. Valuable information can include the duration of the observed abnormalities, the severity of the problem, and whether the problem seems to be getting worse over time.

The most important aspect of diagnosing CD is to rule out other medical problems that can cause similar clinical signs. For example, an elderly cat that starts soiling outside the litterbox may have another illness such as a bladder infection, diabetes, thyroid disease, or kidney problem. All of these conditions can cause increased frequency of urination. Similarly, a cat that has arthritis may have difficulty getting into and out of the litterbox and therefore becomes reluctant to use it.

Senior pets can also begin to lose their vision and hearing, which may affect how they interact and respond to family members and which will often lead to an increased sense of disorientation. Your veterinarian may recommend a variety of diagnostic tests to rule out other medical issues before making a diagnosis of CD.

Preliminary tests may include the following:

Blood tests, including a chemistry panel and complete blood cell count (CBC)

Urinalysis and urine culture testing to evaluate kidney function and look for evidence of kidney or bladder infection

Radiographs (X-rays) to look for evidence of arthritis and to check for cancer or other changes involving organs in the abdomen or chest

Abdominal ultrasonography

Specific blood tests to evaluate thyroid function and look for other medical conditions

Neurologists are sometimes tapped to help ascertain whether brain tumors or other central nervous system changes are afoot.

Affected Breeds

No known breed predisposition is reported for either dogs or cats.

Treatment

Though there is no cure for CD, treatment may help improve the signs and slow the progression of the disease. Depending on the severity of the clinical signs, there are medications that can help dogs with CD, but there is currently no approved medication for cats with the condition. There is a diet that can help dogs with CD, and nutritional supplements may also help manage the problem in cats as well as dogs. Fatty acids, in particular omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, have been shown to have some effect on dogs who suffer cognitive decline.

There is no single medication that can help all pets with CD. However, it has been shown that exercise and routine mental stimulation can help slow the progression of CD. Regular exercise that is appropriate for an older pet, combined with environmental enrichment with toys and play, may help keep pets more alert as they age. Adhering to a strict schedule can also be helpful for some pets as it may help alleviate anxiety.

If the problem becomes too severe and issues such as house soiling, aggression, and immobility effect a poor quality of life, euthanasia can be a reasonable option to discuss. Veterinarians can be invaluable in helping families sort out these issues and come to terms with this end-of-life scenario.

Prevention

There is no known means of prevention save keeping pets in excellent physical condition with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation as they head into their geriatric years.

[salzfee]

420

I don’t know why but I have a talent for finding lost dogs. They always seem to appear by my house. There was one time that I was outside and I saw someone walking their dogs. A small brown fluffy thing and a black lab. However they weren’t getting along. At first I thought the lady walking with them just wasn’t good with her dogs but then I realized that brown one was on a least and the lab wasn’t. 

I just grew curious about the weird situation and asked her if the lab was her’s, which she coldly said no and continued to walk with her dog. OK so it’s not her’s that means it’s lost and now I can’t possibly leave this guy by himself. I tell her that I’ll catch the lab if she waits a second for me to get a leash. However she just ignores me and keeps walking. I really wanted her to stop because the lab wanted to follow her and it wasn’t like it was hurting her dog or anything.  Seeing as she doesn’t care I just quickly grab a horse lead rope off the fence and run out of my gate. At this point the lady is gone and I just barely see the dog go over the hill. I run after him and catch up and of course he’s now scared because he’s by him self. I just stop and talk to him and slowly he comes over to him and I’m able to catch him.  He’s got the softest coat I’ve ever felt and he’s nice a fat so obviously someone cares a lot about this dog. From his face alone I can tell he’s an older guy and as a plus he’s super chill with me. Now the problem is, where does this guy live?  He’s being cared for so I don’t think anyone has dumped him so I start walking back the way he came. Sometimes if I’m luck a dog will just take me back to their home. Which he kinda did but I had no idea where he lived. So it gets dark out and I have to give up the search for the night.  I just take him inside my house and feed him, give him water, ect. And he’s just all around a happy dude.  At eleven I hear something outside, like someone yelling. Which in my neighborhood is not uncommon. But it happens again and again and I realize it’s someone shouting a name. It has to be the old guy’s owner or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.  I grab up my lead rope and the old gent and me run off into the night. I forgot a flashlight it’s dark as fuck outside. I can’t see shit.  But out of the darkness comes the name of ‘Roy’ and the dog gets all excited. So I yell back, “Hey did you lose a dog?” and the darkness replies with a wail of “YES!” We still can’t see each other because they also don’t have a flashlight. I just hear this guy say, “Oh god I hope it’s him.” So when we can finally see each other he sees the dog and shouts the dog’s name and it’s all a very happy reunion.  This guy is totally elated that I found his dog, he’s near crying and gives me several hugs. I’m a bit shocked because I’ll level with you dude is good looking and I can’t speak to attractive people.  He thanks me I manage to tell him where I found his dog and that he’s been fed and watered. We’re about to continue on with our lives now that Roy, the dog, has been found when he asks me where I live. My brain just can’t with guy, he’s too much of my dream dude so any intelligent thought is gone and I just say, “420.”  I only realize what an idiot I was when I was back home and, AND I gave the dude my twenty dollar horse lead rope!