Canine Life Cycle

by Dr. N.J.Hayes, DVM, CCRT

The following lifecycle stages are what the average Canine goes through as they age. Individual animals may differ from this schedule.

Puppies Ages (six weeks to six months)

  • The rapid growth phase
  • Exploring the environment
  • Still building an immune system
    • Need vaccines at eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks
    • See handout on vaccines
  • need to learn expectations
    • Fast learning curves
    • Best time to teach
    • Learn both bad and good habits
  • Have fear periods and are very impressionable
    • Try to minimize scary events
  • Medical needs:
    • Puppy exams and vaccines at eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks
    • Screen for birth defects, behavioral counseling, and other puppy medical issues
    • Spay or neuter to prevent reproduction and decrease later in life risks and health diseases.
    • X-ray hips in some breeds for early detection of hip dysplasia if necessary
    • Heartworm check and fecal checks.

Adolescent dogs (ages six months to eighteen months)

  • Still growing
  • Sexually mature and therefore can reproduce
  • Continue with a rapid learning curve
  • Medical needs:
    • Annual examinations
    • Vaccinations
    • Fecal checks, heartworm checks and flea control

Adults (eighteen months to three to six years depending on Breed)

  • Still growing
  • Sexually mature and therefore can reproduce
  • Continue with a rapid learning curve
  • Medical needs:
    • Annual examinations
    • Vaccinations
    • Fecal checks, heartworm checks and flea control

Middle aged (three years to ten years depending on breed)

  • Becoming more sedentary
  • Tend to gain weight more easily
  • Some breeds become affected with early signs of disease
    • Large breeds may show evidence of arthritic changes
    • Early changes may occur in some organs
  • Annual wellness exams and vaccines as recommended by your veterinarian
  • Some breeds will begin to require early screening tests such as blood work and urine samples

Early senior (ages seven to ten years)

  • Beginning to show some signs of age such a slowing down and occasional aches and pains
  • Be alert for signs of change such as increased drinking or decreased drinking, changes in appetite, soreness when getting up, deafness, loss of vision, or any other signs that are out of the ordinary
  • Annual and sometimes semiannual wellness exams are recommended
  • Senior wellness blood work, a urine sample, and in some cases and more in depth look at certain health issues may be recommended

Late senior dogs over ten years of age

  • Beginning to require more care
  • Some changes can require special needs such as a change in type of bedding, medications, and more routine trips to the doctor
  • Semiannual wellness exams, and blood work as recommended at least annually, urine checks and frequent heart checks are required

For more information on senior pets, please see our handout and sections entitled senior pet care. Also, sign up for our senior care classes offered periodically throughout the year.

Your veterinarian will recommend appropriate tests for your pet and his health needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 309-685-4707 if you have any questions or concerns.

References:

  • Tilley, LP, Smith, FWK, The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine and Feline. 1997, Williams & Wilkins.
  • Evans & Christensen, Miller's Anatomy of the Dog, 1979, W.B. Saunders Company.

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