Old age itself is a cause of disease, taking a toll on the dog's body and internal organs. Regular veterinary care for your small dog is always important, but it becomes even more important as your dog ages. When caught early, many diseases, including cancer, are curable.

Kidney disease is common in older dogs. The dog's kidneys maintain the balance of certain chemicals within its blood while filtering out the body's wastes as urine. The kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and the production of calcium and red blood cells. In older dogs, chronic kidney failure is an irreversible loss of function that occurs gradually over months or years. The kidneys can no longer adequately filter toxins, including urea and creatnine, from the blood, resulting in abnormally high levels of wastes products in the dog's system. Other blood components normally regulated by the kidneys, including phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, and chloride, may rise or fall abnormally as kidney function wanes. Early diagnosis is a key factor in treating this problem. Some dogs do well on a special diet.

Another age-related malady is arthritis. Signs include difficulty in rising or climbing stairs, falling on slippery floors, and trouble getting comfortable. Today, your vet can prescribe a wide range of anti-inflammatory medications to improve your dog's comfort, and you can also give supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to relieve joint pain.

Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism), usually caused by the over-production of Cortisol from the adrenal glands, is also more prevalent in senior dogs. It produces a wide variety of symptoms ranging from skin problems to sore swollen paws and bloated bellies. It can also cause hair loss and color changes in skin and coat, high blood pressure, and disorders of the nervous system. The disease can also be caused by a tumor on the adrenal or pituitary gland.

Another endocrine disorder called hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid gland, which also affects the health of your dog. It occurs when the thyroid gland in the dog's neck secretes insufficient thyroid hormones, critical to maintaining normal metabolism. This causes a number of changes, among them weight gain, loss of energy, and hair loss. Proper treatment for both of these disorders may dramatically improve your dog's attitude, strength, and well-being.

As our dogs live longer, we also see a higher incidence of cancer. Just like us, dogs are susceptible to many different types of this dread disease. But because of the great strides in veterinary medicine, a cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Caught early, many cancers are curable through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. In more advanced cases, palliative care provides comfort and prolongs life.

Heart disease is also age-related. For senior dogs, the most common form is chronic valvular heart disease. The heart valves may thicken and develop abnormalities, leading to a lessened blood flow within the heart chambers and eventually to heart enlargement and failure. Early intervention and proper medication may slow the progression of this disease.

Liver diseases, including cirrhosis, become more common in older dogs. Anemia may also develop as a secondary problem to other conditions like cancer or kidney disease. Other age-related maladies are bladder stones, urinary incontinence, prostate problems, behavioral changes, and declining cognitive functions.