Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier Senior Years

by **Steve** Wed Feb 22 2012, 11:08

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Staffordshire

Bull Terrier Senior Years

Your Staffordshire Bull Terrier Senior Years

Most vets will class a dog as a "senior" when they reach the age of 7 years, this does not mean that its health will immediately begin to deteriorate as the same as humans aging is a gradual process! By treating a 7 year old dog as a senior the owners can consult with their vets to implement certain things to help your dog age better!

As dogs get older, they will sleep more, and need less exercise, you may also find that they eat less, this isn't necessarily because they have a smaller appetite but as they get older their sense of smell fades and the food just dosn't smell as good.

The physical changes will include a greaying of the muzzle and face, and the most common physical ailments are loss of sight and hearing, arthritis, kidney and liver problems, diabetes and more rarely cushings disease which is a hormonal disease. In addition to these you may see some behavioural changes, dogs suffering from loss of sight and hearing, tooth ache or pain from arthritus can become agressive, especially with the loss of sight and hearing as they are startled easily.

CDS:- Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Old Dog Syndrome)

SYMPTOMS OF CDS ARE

Frequent toilet accidents
Urinates/defecates in the house
Dosn't signal that he needs to go out

SLEEP PATTERNS

Moves much more slowly
Sleeps more than normal during the day
Walks around listlessly without ever getting anywhere

CONFUSION

Goes outside and just stands
Appears confused with a faraway look in the eyes
Hides often
Dosn't recognise people
Dosn't come when called

The older the dog the more likely he is to have some of these symptoms and develop more as time goes on.

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Thank you.
Forum Administrator
Steve

A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions