I want to be a vet & this is because I love animals,especially dogs.The advantages of being a vet are many.When you are a vet you are the person to whom someone runs to when they need your help and they can't do it themselves.You help injured animals get better and in my eyes you save an animals life.To me this job is amazing.

Therefore, being a vet maybe a little tough but also being very helpful to animals.It is nice being a vet because you help to save an animals life.Therefore, I conclude by saying being a vet has its advantages and disadvantages.

Care for your ageing BFF

Care for your ageing BFF

They are your best friends forever. They will do anything for you, even when they are crippled by old age. That’s their nature. A look at how you can take care of senior canine pets.

There was a time when he’d come bounding down the stairs, yelping gleefully to greet you when you return back from work. But now even though he still wants to leap to welcome you, he cant .He hesitates at the top of the staircase .gingerly puts one paw in front of the other, one step at a time; he stops: his nostrils flare  with laboured breathing ,his front and hind legs tremble trying to stay firm…..standing at the bottom of the stairs, it tear your heart  to see your pet dog struggle through a simple task he’s done all his life .To help your ageing BFF live his golden years in comfort and joy you have to know a few things before you try to do anything else.

When does a dog become a senior canine?
Different breeds of dogs show signs of ageing at different ages. Size matters too. The smaller the dog, the longer its lifespan. Small sized breeds like cocker spaniels, terriers Pomeranians, Dachshund and lhasa apso have a lifespan of around 12-13 years. They become seniors around 10 years. Large breeds like golden retrievers, Labradors and Alsatians show signs of ageing at 6-7 years and usually have a lifespan of 8-12 years. A mongrel can live up to 15 years and shows signs of ageing only after 10 years.

Signs to watch for
Deteriorating eyesight is one of the first signs of ageing. Cataract can be the culprit but often loss of vision is simply a sign of advancing  years. Cloudy bluish haze is seen in the pupil area due to ageing.
Though a dog’s ears are about 25-30 times more sensitive than humans, problems with hearing will ensue as the dog ages. Now the dog might respond much later to your car sound or your voice. as a result of hearing loss, the dog might get startled easily. Lethargy is one of the most noticeable signs of age. As activity decreases, obesity too may creep in as the dog tends to eat more than it can burn. Lower metabolism is the consequence of ageing which leads to obesity if diet is not controlled sometimes, hypothyroidism slows it down. Heart attacks occur more often in dogs due to obesity. The dog falls sick more often as ageing means lesser immunity. Greying is prevalent I dog too. 

Helping the dog age gracefully
During this time, the dog needs regular veterinary care. Be aware of the diseases that may plague the particular breed. The must-dos in order to keep your senior happy are:
De-worming: regular de-worming once in four months is a must. This will prevent the dog from eating grass or mud (it attempt to de-worm itself) leading to indigestion or even gastroenteritis.
Vision care: inspect the eyes frequently and provide immediate care. Eye infections are easily curable.
Ear checkups: if your dog is prone to shaking its head or scratching its ears, it’s a sign of ear infection. The solution is to administer anti bacterial/fungal/viral ear drops weakly.
Booster shots: there are eight to nine diseases that are common to dogs.Rabies, leptospirosis, viral, hepatitis, para influenza and adenovirus can be avoided if the dog is given annual booster shots.
Diet control: meat rice sweets ice-cream deep fried snacks and chocolates should be avoided. Chocolates especially damage the liver.roti and ragi is recommended.

Exercise: daily walks are a must. your dog needs to be outdoors for at least half an hour t an hour every day. Ideally twice a day walks will keep he dog happy and alert.

Sunlight: exposure to sunlight is vital for their wellbeing helping to deal with skin and fungal infections.

Regular nail clipping: lack of exercise and smooth flooring lead to excessive nail growth. Regular clipping of nails ensure that your dog will land on its paws and not its nails. Many times a dog is limping because it tends to put its entire weight on its nails leading to problems like arthritis.
Q  Brush the dogs coat every day.
Q  Clean the dogs ears once a week to remove the wax collected.
Q  Apply anti tick powder once a week to keep its coat free from external parasites.
Q  Give it bath regularly.
Make your home canine friendly
Don’t move the position of the furniture the dog’s food bowl or bedding. Understand that your dog is now prone to separation anxiety uncharacteristic aggression due to pain or discomfort withdrawn behaviour lack of activeness confusion and a horde of diseases. a loving home will keep your dog safe and comforted senior needs a little extra care a small thank you gift to your BFF for the unadulterated love.

Source: Bangalore mirror.