2 Reasons To Take Your Elderly Dog To The Vet Regularly
The most important step that you can take when caring for your dog that is getting older is to take him or her to the vet regularly to make it so that your dog remains in good health and is comfortable during his or her golden years. Listed below are just two of the many reasons to take your elderly dog to the vet regularly:
To Keep Your Dog's Teeth Clean
One of the more important reasons to take your elderly dog to the vet is to keep your dog's teeth clean. This is extremely important because if your dog's teeth end up getting especially dirty or begin to rot away, it can lead to bacteria multiplying within your dog's mouth. When that happens, that bacteria can spread throughout the rest of your dog's body very quickly, which can lead to everything from kidney issues to organ failure, especially if your dog's immune system is already compromised from another condition or due to his or her age.
Additionally, if your dog begins to develop dental issues, it can lead to your dog having quite a bit of pain in his or her mouth. This could result in your dog becoming lethargic due to having to deal with the pain all the time or even choosing to skip meals because it is too painful to eat. As a result, numerous health issues could begin to come up because your dog is being less active and becoming more and more malnourished.
To Get Assistance With Your Dog's Joints
One of the biggest issues that many dogs end up having to deal with as they get older is the pain in their joints. This pain can make the dog become much less active and even result in a much shorter lifespan due to the lesser activity and the amount of pain. However, by taking your elderly dog to the vet regularly, the vet will often be able to provide you with medications, supplements, and advice that can help you alleviate that pain so your dog can become active and happy again.
Visit your local animal hospital today to discuss how they can help you care for your elderly dog and to have your elderly dog examined for any potential illnesses or diseases. You will want to take your elderly dog to the vet regularly because they can help keep your dog's teeth clean and it will allow you to get assistance with your dog's joints.