What is the leading cause of death in senior dogs?
Merlin McDermott
2025-07-30 09:06:16
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: 14
Cancer is the number one cause of death in senior dogs, and it shows up in many forms with a variety of possible symptoms. Your vet will scan for signs of cancer at each check-up. Here are some symptoms of cancer in dogs: Lumps on the body Blood and mucus in stool Changes in weight Difficulty eating Heavy panting Constipation Diarrhea Drooling. A large percentage of senior dogs develop some form of heart disease. If left untreated, these heart issues can lead to congestive heart failure. The danger in obesity is that it can lead to other serious issues—like heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems.
Justen Stoltenberg
2025-07-30 08:19:51
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: 27
Cancer causes approximately half of the deaths in dogs over the age of 10. Renal failure is one of the most common causes of death in older dogs. The main function of the kidneys is to filter the blood to remove harmful toxins, which are excreted as waste through urination. As the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste, these toxins can build up to dangerous levels. Kidney disease is typically slow moving and difficult to spot at first. Symptoms of kidney disease include increased water consumption, ammonia-like odor to the breath, blood in urine, irregular urination patterns, sudden weight loss, pale gums, vomiting. Cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells which spread into the surrounding tissue. As these cancerous cells spread, they start to impede normal functioning in different bodily systems. The results are typically devastating, and eventually fatal.