Pug Dog
With the changes in the nutritional environment, the improvement of conditioning techniques, and the development of sterilization, the life span of dogs has been greatly improved compared to 30 years ago. extended. Dogs over 20 years old have become rare these days.
Many people focus most of their energy on playing with dogs and grooming dogs, but they rarely pay attention to weak issues.
What is thinness? There are many definitions of weakness, but they can all be summarized as the accumulation of different losses that reduces the probability of losses! "Loss" can be divided into two major categories, the weakness of genetic guidance, or the damage to DNA caused by the interaction between environment and free radicals.
Lifestyle plays a key role in the fragile process. Obesity, malnutrition, trauma, various stresses (such as multiple pregnancies, high survival density, and extreme weather) or overwork can shorten lifespan.
What are the manifestations of thinness?
Psychologically, pigment accumulation (such as the nose and mouth), thickened skin, rough coat, muscle atrophy, lack of vitality and strength, low bone density, psychological tolerance Decreased eyesight or hearing, reduced risk of dehydration (reduced fluid absorption), reduced ability to regulate body temperature (sensitive to cold), stiffness, reduced immune system function (more susceptible to symptoms).
Mentally, decreased adaptability (easily frightened), decreased response to stimuli, poor appetite (reduced perception of smells and tastes), anorexia, and loss of acquired learned behaviors , indifferent to the external environment, reduced movement, and disorientation.
The effect of body size is weak
For large dogs (generally 18 to 24 months to fully mature), from 7 years old There were already signs of weakness from the beginning. On the other hand, small dogs will also start to become weak after the age of 15. Changes in the shape and size of various dogs can also reflect the weak effects on each system. Small dogs can develop mitral valve disease (a type of heart disease) and dental problems, while larger dogs are more likely to develop degenerative joint disease.
Weakness leads to a decline in immune system function
Many studies have emphasized the role of age changes in immune system activity. The activity of immune defense function is reduced, and its effectiveness is reduced and limited. This situation is called immune weakness. This of an old dogThis kind of change is particularly similar to that of the elderly. Broadly speaking, lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) shrink. However, the immune function of genius does not seem to be related to age (the activity of neutrophils and NK cells does not seem to decrease in older dogs), and there is no significant effect on the serological response to a new antibody or a vaccine. harm. Therefore, although many mechanisms are not fully understood, infectious and neoplastic diseases are more common in older dogs. We also know that recovery is slower in old age, regardless of the level of injury (from pruritus to surgical sutures). The endoosmotic system changes with age (except for iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism): dogs' thyroid function is prone to decrease. Diabetes is the result of years of nutritional excess. As we age, the function of the kidneys will gradually decrease, eventually leading to kidney failure. Free radicals have been found to be involved in the development of many diseases, such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer; heart failure and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system.
Efficiency of nutrition
The ability of mammals to digest and absorb nutrients decreases with age. Although this situation may occur in healthy individuals, it may not attract attention, especially in the absence of other obvious clinical symptoms. It is believed that this decline may be caused by changes in bile components, reduced penetration and activity of digestive enzymes, atrophy of intestinal epithelial cells, and changes in gastric emptying and digestive transit times. You should switch to other more effective diets as soon as possible, because as time goes by, the animal's sense and taste will decrease, and the appetite will decrease. It is recommended to gradually introduce new diets, naturally, to choose foods that are delicious and nutritious. Older animals do not become thirsty as easily as younger animals, but they often suffer from chronic dehydration. This means that any situation that compromises water/electrolyte balance (such as diuretics used to treat heart disease) will lead to serious clinical dehydration. For most elderly dogs, their heart and kidney systems are often overused, which leads to reduced abilities. Infusion is a very important treatment method for all sick elderly dogs. Because older animals are more susceptible to obesity, degenerative joint disease, kidney disease, dental disease, and metabolic and endosmotic disorders, their food should be arranged to minimize the chance of organ failure. Adjust the levels of fat, phosphorus, and fiber to meet the needs of aging animals, and maintain the quality and digestibility of protein (remember that protein is an essential nutritional factor, also for young animals!) Suitable for elderly dogs needs. In addition, special nutritional factors, such as antioxidants and essential fatty acids, have been shown to be effective in controlling age-related diseases. When it comes to diet, we should not only consider the quality, but also consider the number of meals per day. Eat smaller meals more frequently.
The thinness of the dog
</p>
</p>