We recently lost our very old dog to a tragic accident. Please warn people about the extra care older pets need. We feel terrible, thinking we could have avoided the disaster we experienced.

A:

This request comes from a neighbor and friend whose dog wandered away and fell into their swimming pool, quickly drowning. Accidents like this happen every year and older pets are more prone to these disasters.

There's no doubt that older pets need special attention for lots of reasons. And I imagine at least a few readers might question how a tragedy like this could ever happen. How could someone let their pooch wander anywhere near an open pool?

But before you rush to judge, let's consider something. This was a dog that had lived in the same home its entire life and swam in this pool with the kids. He knew how to get it and out without assistance and without any problems. Yes, his cognitive function had faded in the past few weeks; he had developed what some might call "Doggy Alzheimers." Lots of older dogs suffer this syndrome and its mental changes can occur quickly. Trouble is, these changes are difficult to recognize in their early stages. So avoiding a disaster such as this one isn't always easy.

So what can be done to prepare for life with a geriatric dog? Here are some obvious things. Block off any access to the pool. And fence him in to keep him from wandering into the street. An older dog walking aimlessly down the road is a disaster waiting to happen.

Next, walk around your home and yard and do a safety evaluation. Do you have any stairways or steps that are difficult to navigate? I know of at least a few aged dogs that have fallen down steep stairs, sustaining horrible injury. Older dogs with stiff and sore joints often can't travel that same path they've used for so many years. Stairways and steep backyard hills (if you live in a remote area) become hazardous.

But besides all this, there are other precautions to consider. Older pooches go through behavior changes and many become bored. That's right, they aren't as easily "entertained" as when they were young. The backyard and all its toys used to be full of excitement, but now, it takes too much energy to go out and run around. Take the dog whose life has always included daily long walks as well as freedom in the backyard to chase birds and do all those "doggy" things. Now his life is more sedentary; his old joints don't allow him to run around and "blow off" all that energy. Now he spends more time in the house with his family and looks for something else to do. He might start exploring cabinets (like those under the kitchen or bathroom sink). Or he might wander into the open garage and look for something to chew. If you have toxics stored anywhere in your home, be sure they are locked away. Veterinarians every day treat older dogs for a condition we call "dietary indiscretion." Typically, the owners can't believe their canine companion got into the cupboard and ate something poisonous … it's something he'd never done in the past.

And finally, here's one more "old dog" problem relating to boredom and bad behavior. Inactive older dogs sometimes develop an obsessive compulsive behavior pattern that can lead to self-destructive habits. Take the dog that continuously licks a small area on one of his legs or feet. We usually don't know what started him licking and biting this area. It may have been a small scratch from a twig. And at first, it only appears as a spot of irritated, moist fur. But within a few days, it quickly can develop into a raised, hairless, thickened area that becomes scarred. The lesion is called a lick-sore or granuloma. Lick-sores are usually small, maybe 1-2 square inches in size. But they often become larger and infected, sometimes covering much of the dog's lower leg. Treatment is difficult and often unsuccessful. Veterinarians have tried steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications with limited success. Many times, only a bandage over the lesion can keep the pooch from licking. This is a problem that definitely is easier to prevent than to treat.

So what else can be done when a dog loses his cognitive function? We know that good nutrition is important for an older dog's mental and physical health. And there are some newer medications designed to help these patients. A few have shown a small amount of promise. But most are disappointing and fail to improve the quality of life for the older dog.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your older dog is to keep him or her active. Sedentary dogs have more problems. Active dogs are healthier, happier and more alert. So it's vital to keep your dog busy and exercise him every day. This can be difficult if he has stiff and sore joints. But his vet can help you with pain management so that he can get out and walk with you and even play in the back yard. Sometimes all it takes is simple aspirin to help an older pooch get out and exercise. But now there are analgesics that are far more potent if aspirin isn't enough.

Whatever it takes, get your older furry friend comfortable so he can get out and burn up some energy. It will help him both physically and mentally. And an active mind is just as important in canines as it is in people. Keep your dog active and he'll live a longer and happier life with you.

Pete Keesling Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital. He writes a bi-weekly column for South Valley Newspapers and hosts a radio talk show, Dr. Pete’s Petpourri, Sundays at 1 p.m. and Friday mornings at 7:10 on KSCO 1080 AM. If you have questions about pet care, e-mail them to smvet3@yahoo.com.