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Geriatric Changes
Common geriatric changes include vision and hearing loss, diminished housebreaking, changes in activity/sleep patterns, decrease in
social interactions, being generally unsettled (unable to get comfortable), a general decrease in the quality of life for the animal, and some
levels of cognitive dysfunction (e.g. getting lost in the house or yard, wandering off, walking into walls/corners and not being able to get
un-stuck, memory loss, acting confused).
Although these are signs that the end may be near, this need not be the case. There are medications used in the treatment of certain human
geriatric disorders which have proven to be quite effective in clinical trials in dogs as well. A number of environmental/interactional
changes can benefit these situations also.