Is it normal for senior dogs to lose weight?
As dogs progress from old to very old, they tend to stop gaining weight and instead start losing weight, actually requiring more calories. In those cases, they often have a decreased appetite, possibly related to a decreased sense of smell or taste, and may even have difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Can a dog lose a pound in a week?
For dogs this is 1-2% of their total body weight per week. For cats this is 0.5-2% of their body weight per week. So, for example, if you have a 100 lb Labrador Retriever, he can safely lose 1 to 2 lbs per week. If you have a 20 lb cat, she can lose 0.2-0.4 lbs (or about 4 oz) per week.
When does your Maltese ( dog ) get old?
Fortunately for Maltese owners, the Maltese being a smaller breed tend to have longer lives than the larger breed of dog. In general elderly means over eight years old for dogs. When your Maltese gets older, their organs may become less efficient, and they may be less able to resist infections and other diseases.
Is there anything I can do for my Maltese?
If you see these behaviors in your Maltese, tell your veterinarian. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, but there is increasing hope. There is a prescription drug available to treat dogs with CDS in the US (two are available in Europe). It works by increasing the amount of dopamine in the dog’s brain.
Why is my Maltese dog incontinent all the time?
This is sometimes due to problems with the nervous system affecting bladder control, or may be due to a urinary infection. If your Maltese suddenly becomes incontinent, consult your veterinarian.
What to watch for in an elderly Maltese?
There are also a number of specific health problems which you should watch for with your elderly Maltese such as arthritis, which may develop in his joints. Be careful about the amounts of exercise he gets – too much could easily make arthritis worse.
Fortunately for Maltese owners, the Maltese being a smaller breed tend to have longer lives than the larger breed of dog. In general elderly means over eight years old for dogs. When your Maltese gets older, their organs may become less efficient, and they may be less able to resist infections and other diseases.
If you see these behaviors in your Maltese, tell your veterinarian. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, but there is increasing hope. There is a prescription drug available to treat dogs with CDS in the US (two are available in Europe). It works by increasing the amount of dopamine in the dog’s brain.
This is sometimes due to problems with the nervous system affecting bladder control, or may be due to a urinary infection. If your Maltese suddenly becomes incontinent, consult your veterinarian.
There are also a number of specific health problems which you should watch for with your elderly Maltese such as arthritis, which may develop in his joints. Be careful about the amounts of exercise he gets – too much could easily make arthritis worse.