Dealing with an Older Kerry

by Janet Joers
Copyright © 2003 Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation

A KB-L Newslist subscriber asked me to post something about what to expect from a 13-year-old Kerry. So for those of you who have not been blessed with owning an older Kerry yet, here's my list.

Grooming

Warning: a 13-year-old can be a fuss-budget on the grooming table. Jazz tires more easily, fidgets, stands cock-eyed, and sits down in disgust when she's had enough. I do her in 3 stages over several days--clippering,
body scissoring, then the legs. To speed things up, I sometimes use a comb on my clippers that leaves 1/2-inch of hair when trimming the body. Anything to get her off the table quicker!

Ears

How did those ears suddenly get paper thin? After knicking Jazz's ear with the clippers during 3 grooming sessions in a row, I complained about it to Kerry friend Judith Bruno (who has experience with older Kerries). She recommended a #40 clipper blade instead of the #30 I was using. It worked.

Coat

Hmmm. Is that coat getting a little sparse in spots or is it my imagination? I do think that the hair on the tail and back is looking a little thin in places, so I groom it longer than I used to. I've also noticed that the coat looks and feels a bit drier, so I'll be trying a different shampoo next time I order.

Trembling back legs

Uncontrollable quivering of first one, then both back legs began about 2 years ago. X-rays showed arthritis, especially in one hip, but the spine was in good shape. Glucosamine/Chrondroitin helped initially, then I switched to "Arth-9" (1000 mg Glucosamine, 25 mg Chrondroitin, with vitamin C and calcium) which nearly stopped the trembling altogether. Once in a while on walks, one back leg will "collapse," but Jazz rights herself immediately and keeps on trucking. (It's best not to make a fuss in Her Majesty's presence over these little infirmities.)

Loss of hearing

Jazz has always had selective hearing--bellow "COME!" and she won't hear it, but open a bag of cookies and she will hear it every time. :-) At 13 though, hearing loss is real. She no longer greets us at the door every time, or bothers with the neighbor's barking dogs--a mixed blessing. John is teaching her hand signals (which she is learning easily), whistling more (which she hears), and I just talk to her LOUDLY. There seems to be nothing that will prevent her world from eventually going silent, but I want her to hear my voice (and her name) as long as possible.

Lumps & bumps

Those few cysts Jazz had earlier in life were only my preparation for all the lumps, bumps, and growths she now has. Wart-like growths can often be removed by a vet using a local and represent no health issue. Lumps and bumps need to be monitored for changes in size and feel, and periodically checked by a vet. Jazz has several lumps that we have aspirated about twice a year. All appear to be benign fatty tumors, and none are disfiguring. The problem: surgical removal of tumors require anesthesia--something no one wants to do to an older dog unless absolutely necessary, and the tumors are likely to grow back. In the meantime, we owners are left to watch, wait, and try not to worry.

Panting

What's with all this panting, especially at night? X-rays showed only a slight thickening of the tissue inside the lungs--an age related condition, and not likely a factor here. Hyperventilation in Jazz's case is probably due to discomfort from her current colitis, which is not age-related (and is currently being treated). Excessive panting, however, can also be a symptom of canine dementia--an Alzheimer's-like condition involving confusion and anxiety that Jazz, thankfully, does not have.

Walks

Plan on shorter, slower walks for an older Kerry, especially one with arthritis. Our 5-mile treks are a thing of the past, but Jazz still does a mile willingly, often at the end of the lead. While she loves these outings, and still sniffs and marks everything in sight, there are times when she occasionally tires early. We simply make a rest stop, then return to the car or home. And by the way, we no longer allow her to jump in and out of the car. She can do it, but it is not recommended for dogs with arthritis, so she gets a lift instead (first-class treatment as far as the other dogs are concerned).

Naps

Anytime is naptime in Jazz's book, and she sleeps deeply, too (though that could be related to hearing loss). Her naps run 2-3 hours at a stretch, and once in a while she'll sleep a full 4 hours! She also now naps in areas away from any activity--not in one of our home offices where she always snoozed before. Come mealtime, though, Jazz is up, active, and alert. I don't think her internal clock will ever run slow

Some things have NOT changed with age. Jazz still has her legendary appetite, stlll insists that her meals and walks are on time every time, and still demands respect from other dogs. She remains alpha with our two younger dogs, and calls all the shots when there's business to attend to. Her vision continues to be good, she does the Calkerry kick (sod-busting) after her bathroom duties, and holds her tail proudly wherever she goes.

If the above list has depressed anyone, it shouldn't. While an aging body requires more maintenance and repair, and more adjustments in daily life, the spirit inside our old dogs lives on as it always has. Our Kerries don't complain about their infirmities--they compensate. They don't whine and worry about the aging process--they accept it. And now that Jazz is slowing down, some of her hard edges have mellowed a bit, and this fiercely independent girl is becoming more accepting--and giving--of love and affection. Without so many outside distractions, she's more tuned in to us. In fact, she's more ours now than she ever was.

Owning an older Kerry really is a mixed blessing.

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