Piper Glen Animal Hospital Blog

We share ideas from  Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, DACVIM   on how to care for your senior dog with hearing loss.  The most common form of deafness in dogs is age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Most dogs experience some degree of ARHL, beginning sometime during their “third trimester” of life. ARHL begins by impairing perception of middle to high frequency sounds, but encompasses the entire range of sound frequencies as it progresses.  It is suspected that most people don’t recognize their dog’s hearing loss until it is almost, if not fully, complete. They may mistakenly interpret their dog’s partial hearing loss as a behavioral issue, sometimes referred to as “selective hearing.”  How you can help your dog with hearing loss? Observing your beloved dog become less responsive because of hearing loss can evoke a laundry list of emotions such as sadness, frustration, and discouragement. While there may not be a good way to restore your dog’s ...

In honor of National Senior Pet Month,  P iper Glen Animal Hospital   would like to take a moment to celebrate the  benefits of adopting and owning an older pet. While most of us can’t help but dote on a new puppy or kitten, the reality is that caring for a young pet requires a lot of time and energy. Obedience training and curbing behavioral problems is hard work, which is why you might consider adopting a more mature or senior pet. Unfortunately, senior pets often get overlooked. At shelters and rescues, they are the ones who have the hardest time getting adopted. Many people assume younger is better, and their prejudices (which are often rooted in misinformation) keep stellar seniors from finding their forever homes. What Makes a Senior Pet Incredible If you’re considering adopting a pet, seniors make wonderful companions. Especially if you’re looking for a chill couch buddy or a low-maintenance friend who won’t chew on your designer shoes. Here are so...