When taking care of elderly dogs, there are several issues worth considering. Even though mobility and weight are manageable to an extent, vision and hearing loss are quite the predicament. Much like humans, elderly dogs can lose their hearing. Should you observe a change in your pet dog’s hearing, check with your veterinarian to screen for ear discharge or inflammation that might still be treatable. As a quick test of your pet dog’s hearing, try shaking the pack of treats that he likes. But if your pet’s loss of hearing is related to aging, then there might not be any treatment at all. Hearing loss can happen when the animal’s tiny hairs in their inner ear get damaged or just die.
There are a couple of things that may cause a dog to have “gray” eyes. The first one is just normal aging that changes the eye’s lens and does not affect vision. And the other cause is cataracts, which is the same condition affecting humans. Your veterinarian can tell you which one your elderly dog has, but if the vision issue is of great concern, try consulting with a veterinarian specializing in ophthalmology. This specialist can screen for PRA or progressive retina atrophy. RTA is a disorder that can be passed down from parent to puppy and is prevalent in many breeds, sometimes even mixed-breeds as well, and does not show itself until later. A cataract can be removed surgically, but PRA does not have any known intervention therapies.
Any sign of illness exhibited by your pet should require an appointment with your vet Georgetown, IN. Click here to learn more.
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