My old dog is sick (coughing, stroke, arthritis, gut problems). I'm so worried. How do I care for them?
This is something to decide with your vet. At home, watch for changes in eating, drinking, coughing and walking, and tell your vet. Senior dogs are usually advised to see a vet at least twice a year.
This needs your vet’s judgement. This page only shares other owners’ experiences and public information. It is not medical advice.
A real example
In 2024 the University of Liverpool surveyed over 600 owners and over 300 vet professionals in the UK. 78% of owners thought slowing down on walks was just ageing. Most owners felt one visit a year was enough; most vets advised every six months.
What others said
「Suddenly my dog can't climb stairs and walks unsteadily. I wonder how long he can last without treatment.」
Shared online (reworded) forum, Europe, Oct 2026「My 12-and-a-half-year-old dog's six-month checkup: the tumor hasn't grown, and blood and urine tests look good.」
Shared online (reworded) forum, Europe, Oct 2026「This is my dog's third pancreas problem this year, and I worry the end is near.」
Shared online (reworded) Europe, Oct 2026「My 16-year-old dog has kidney and heart disease, yet still climbs the fence to eat cat litter.」
Shared online (reworded) Latin America, Oct 2026「My 13-year-old dog has been restless for a long time and has brief leg weakness and twitching. Anyone seen this?」
Shared online (reworded) forum, Europe, Oct 2026「My old dog has that worrying cough again.」
Shared online (reworded) English-speaking, Oct 2026Show 5 more
「My dog has had a second stroke in a year and a half, and our old tortoise is gravely ill at the same time.」
Shared online (reworded) Latin America, Oct 2026「My old dog has arthritis but is doing well lately, so we stayed at a dog-friendly hotel together.」
Shared online (reworded) Japan, Oct 2026「My 13-year-8-month-old dog has heart disease. I worry grooming before its heart checkup is too much for it.」
Shared online (reworded) Yahoo!知恵袋, Japan, Oct 2026「I care for two senior dogs, and I'm worried the diarrhea will come back, but the head tilt is slowly getting better.」
Shared online (reworded) Japan, Oct 2026「My old dog has heart disease, so now I take them for walks in a stroller.」
Shared online (reworded) Asia-Pacific, Oct 2026What people do in different places
Sources
Updated 25 Oct 2026. This page updates daily from owners’ posts.