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Dogs are living up to twice as long as they did 40 years ago which has implications for ageing dogs’ healthcare and wellbeing. As the life expectancy of our canine golden oldies increases, so does the amount of time our dogs spend in poor health, but it may be difficult for owners to distinguish between normal age-related changes and signs of diseases that require veterinary treatment.
To help address this, BSAVA PetSavers funded a major research project at the University of Liverpool, the Old Age Pets Project, to help both vets and owners provide the best care for their senior and geriatric dogs. Key findings from the study were used to develop an editable traffic light colour-coded checklist. The checklist helps owners to know what signs to look out for in their dog as it ages, when to seek advice from a veterinary practice, and guides discussions during consultations.
We incorporated multiple copies of this checklist into the Ageing Canine Toolkit – a guide for owners packed full of information about the health and welfare of ageing dogs. We recommend that owners use the checklist at least every 6 months, keeping copies of previously completed checklists for comparison to monitor their dog’s health.
Resources for dog owners:
If you’re the owner of a senior dog, download the toolkit now to complete a self-assessment of your ageing dog’s health and wellbeing.
Resources for veterinary practices:
Support your clients and their ageing dogs by promoting the Ageing Canine Toolkit in your practice. Download posters and leaflets or order free physical copies in our shop, and share the toolkit with owners of senior dogs.
Caring for senior dogs is challenging, so we have also put together a collection of resources to support veterinary professionals. These include webinars, manual chapters and BSAVA Companion articles about information ranging from senior behavioural problems and cognitive decline, to quality of life and end of life care. The collection is freely available to BSAVA members.
We would be grateful to hear your thoughts on the checklist element of the toolkit:
