If you care for your pet, and we know you do, then it is important to also allow a veterinarian to care for them. Your vet is the one who can provide vaccines, check your pet for ongoing conditions like arthritis and parasitic infections, and recommend medications to treat fleas and ticks. Most vet are very familiar with treated dogs and cats, and many will also treat rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other household pets. If you'd like to learn more about veterinary care, then plan on spending some time on this website. It's a good resource for any curious pet owner.
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Maybe your dog's coat is looking duller or they don't seem as energetic during their walk. As dogs age, they become prone to nutritional deficiencies. Identifying when your dog is experiencing a nutritional deficiency will help them maintain quality of life in their senior years.
Your Dog Is Underweight
One of the earlier signs your pup isn't getting the nutrition they need is when they start to lose weight. Older dogs are prone to losing weight due to secondary conditions that prevent them from eating in the first place. These conditions could be anything from a bad tooth to arthritis, and they make it uncomfortable for your dog to eat and get the nutrition they need.
Observe your dog around mealtime to see if there are any indications of why they won't eat. You may spot a limp, or they may only take a few bites before wandering away from the food bowl.
Poor Coat Condition
Poor coat condition is another sign that your dog may not be getting the vitamins they need. A dog with a poor coat will have coarse, dry fur and potentially have dandruff. Senior dogs are at risk for poor coat condition because they often become finicky in what they'll eat.
Coat health is determined by how much fat a dog is getting in their diet. Low-quality foods or a homemade diet can lead to a dog not getting enough fat to keep their skin hydrated and their coat shiny.
Parasites
Fleas are a common parasite that could use your dog as a host. If an infestation is severe enough, it could cause anemia in your dog. When anemia occurs, your dog doesn't have what they need to make enough red blood cells. If the problem becomes severe enough, it can be fatal.
Flea infestations are overlooked in some dogs because they only scratch if they're allergic to the flea bites. The lack of scratching behavior allows infestations to go unchecked. You can catch fleas with a comb, but how do you know if your dog is anemic?
Lethargy is a significant symptom of anemia. However, since senior dogs often like to sleep, their behavior may not tip you off to anemia. Checking your dog's gums is another way to check for anemia. Dogs that are becoming anemic have pale gums that aren't a healthy shade of bubblegum pink.
Treatment Options
Diagnosing nutritional issues can be a challenge and should be done with the help of a vet.
Sometimes treatment for a nutritional deficiency is as simple as changing up the food your dog gets. However, some deficiencies may require more intensive treatment.
A blood test will help uncover any underlying health problems that aren't readily apparent with a physical examination. In some parasite cases, your dog may need a fecal test.
If you think your senior pooch has signs of a nutritional deficiency, reach out to your veterinarian. The sooner your vet can make a diagnosis, the sooner your dog will be getting the nutrition they need.
To learn more, visit a website like http://www.murrellsinletvethospital.com.
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