Tucker is a sweet 11-year-old rescue dog. This past summer he was undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma when he accidentally ingested a foreign body that got stuck in his gastrointestinal tract. Poor Tucker needed emergency veterinary care to remove the obstruction, but the cost of his chemotherapy...
A study conducted at North Carolina State University found that hearing loss can be connected to dementia in senior dogs. Researchers studied 39 elderly companion dogs. The dogs had their hearing assessed through auditory testing and underwent canine cognitive testing. The dogs’ owners also filled out questionnaires...
Cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. Some breeds are at higher risk than others of getting some form of cancer, so a new early detection blood test is offering pet owners hope. The CANcer Detection in Dogs (CANDiD) study has been evaluating the...
A Florida Chihuahua named TobyKeith was declared the world’s oldest living dog by the Guinness World Records organization. On March 16th, he was certified as being 21 years and 66 days old. TobyKeith was adopted by his mom in 2001 when he was just a few...
This happy little guy is Oliver, an 11-year-old Shorkie (Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix). Oliver's dad noticed a lump in his pelvic area and took him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with a perineal hernia. Poor Ollie needed surgery to fix this serious problem. His dad...
A group of researchers has been studying a new kind of hip joint implant for dogs with osteoarthritis. The implant is textile-based and contains cartilage derived from stem cells. Initial results of the implant study are promising, with dogs showing reduced pain and restored hip joint...
This little cutie is Chica! Chica is a senior Chihuahua mix who was suffering from advanced gum disease that caused her quite a bit of pain. Chica needed multiple tooth extractions to relieve her pain and allow her to eat comfortably. Chica's loving mom is on...
Twelve year old Justin is the beloved pet in a San Diego military family. He began to experience severe pain while walking and his veterinarian diagnosed him with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a degenerative spinal condition requiring immediate surgery to relieve his pain. Justin's family could...
This little cutie is Chucha! Chucha was diagnosed with pyometra, a serious and life-threatening infection of the uterus. Chucha needed emergency surgery, but her parents had their work hours reduced due to the Covid pandemic and were unable to afford the full cost of her life-saving...
Like dementia in humans, older dogs can develop a neurodegenerative condition known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS). According to Dr. Brian Gray Barnett, a veterinarian with the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the Dog Aging Project research team, “One study...
This sweet little face belongs to Tinker Bell! Recently Tinker Bell began showing signs of pain and she stopped eating. Her veterinarian suspected pancreatitis. Unfortunately, Tinker Bell's family has been stuggling through these difficult times and had to file for bankruptcy. They were unable to afford...
The 5 A’s Animal Shelter in Godfrey, Illinois was home to a 14 year old Pitbull mix named Wiggles for 11 years. Her long stay at the shelter came to an end recently, when a couple from Missouri read a story about Wiggles and decided...
Duke is a sweet eleven year old pup who lives with his mom and dad (plus an assortment of other animal pals) on a ranch. Poor Duke was attacked by a coyote while outside and sustained serious injuries. Duke's family fundraised on their own and were...
“Slower, Shorter, Sadder” is the title of a study of English dog owners who describe how their walks have changed after a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in their dogs. The development of canine osteoarthritis can lead to big changes in dog walking routines. Most of the owners...
A tiny stray kitten was taken in by the family of Pax, a sweet senior Labrador Retriever. Pax quickly became the kitten’s (now named Polly) protector and best friend. The pair formed a strong bond with each other. Pax shows endless patience with Polly’s rambunctious...
Does one dog year really equal seven human years? This long-held belief is undergoing some high-tech revision. Scientists say a more accurate way to measure an animal’s age is to use something called an epigenetic clock—the accumulation of chemical modifications in an animal’s DNA over its...
The University of Washington and Texas A&M University have teamed up for a large-scale study called the Dog Aging Project. The project invites dog owners to nominate their pets to be part of the study. The goal of the Dog Aging Project is to identify factors...
In honor of Senior Pet Adoption Month, here’s a true senior pet adoption success story! Tito is a 15 year-old Chihuahua with multiple health issues who was taken in as a foster. Tito and his "brother" Frank soon became inseparable. Tito had a collapsed trachea and cannot...
Senior dog advocacy group The Grey Muzzle Organization has released the results of a survey on the adoption of senior shelter and rescue dogs. There’s been a growing interest in the adoption of senior dogs over the last few years, and the numbers prove it....
The Grey Muzzle Organization is a wonderful non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to shelters, rescue groups, sanctuaries, and other animal welfare organizations across the U.S. FACE is honored to be a recipient of a Grey...
Veterinarians say that dogs between the ages of 7 and 10 years old can be categorized as “senior” dogs. The actual age may vary depending on the size and breed of your particular dog, with larger dogs showing signs of age earlier than smaller ones. What...