Dogs Can Suffer from Alzheimer's Too

Does your senior dog have symptoms of Alzheimer's?  The canine version of Alzheimer's is known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.  If your dog is afflicted with this disorder, he will display symptoms that are very similar to people with Alzheimer's:





My 16 year old beagle


• disorientation
• depression
• confusion
• unable to recognize family members
• incontinence
• staring at walls
• not responding to affection
• develop compulsive disorders

If your elderly dog suffers from any of these symptoms, there are a few options for slowing down the affects of Alzheimer's in dogs.  Try a few of these doggie games and puzzles that help your dog exercise his brain and slow down brain disfunction.

Arthritis Symptoms in Senior Dogs

If your senior dog is having trouble moving around, especially when he or she first wakes up, then most likely your older dog is suffering from arthritis.

Knowing the symptoms and signs of arthritis in dogs helps dog owners to treat arthritis as soon as it appears. Depending upon the severity of your dog's arthritis, treatment involves a healthy diet, keeping the dog's weight under control, daily exercise, over the counter supplements which support healthy joints, or adding a prescription for steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

Early Signs of Arthritis

• Lame after exercising but then recover

Moderate Arthritis

• Stiffness when first waking up
• Lame after exercising
• Slow walking pace
• Hesitant to go up or down stairs

Severe Arthitis Symptoms

• The dog needs help getting up
• Limping all the time
• Will not attempt to climb stairs or jump
• Has trouble lifting leg or squatting to urinate
• Shaking leg muscles
• Seems to experience pain when touched
• Hops rather than runs

If your senior dog displays any of these signs of arthritis, contact your veterinarian for a consultation. Sometimes, early stages of arthritis only need diet and exercise for positive results.

The later stages of arthritis in dogs often requires supplements like, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other joint products.

If your older dog is really suffering on a regular basis, a prescription for pain medication will relieve your dog's discomfort.

New Herbal Tea Offers Relief for Aging Dogs

I find myself steeping a hot cup of herbal tea to relax my nerves and warm my bones on cold, winter nights. I never thought about making a cup for my 15 year old beagle! Then I saw an advertisement for The Honest Kitchen’s new Herbal Tea for dogs. The Honest Kitchen makes holistic pet foods with human-grade ingredients.

This herbal tea for dogs is named Lithe and it is the first of its kind. Honest Kitchen’s tea recipe was developed to stimulate healthy bones and joint mobility in older dogs. The loose leaf tea is made by steeping in hot water just like you make your own herbal tea. The dog tea can be served at room temp or warm. It is also ideal for moistening dry dog food, especially if your dog has trouble chewing crunchy food.

The herbal tea for dogs is blended with anti-inflammatory ingredients that also promote a healthy circulatory system. These ingredients include:

*White willow bark
*Alfalfa
*Ginger
*Yucca
*Red clover
*Boswellia

The cost for Lithe tea for dogs is $16 for 6 ounces and can be ordered online at The Honest Kitchen. I haven’t tried the tea yet but I’m planning on buying 6 oz. for my old beagle. He has trouble walking up and down the stairs now and is really lame when first waking up from a nap. Hopefully, the tea will alleviate his joint pain during the cold, winter months.

Next time you make yourself a cup of tea, include your dog as well.

Resource: Pet Gazette, Dec. 2009