What are the lifestages or markers of aging in a doberman?. My dobe is now 11 yrs and 8 months old. He is very healthy so far, coat is as shiny as it was when he was puppy, but I have no experience of an aging dog and how god forbid they pass away. What I have noticed so far:

Markers:
- When he is excited, while he still jumps around like a puppy, but when he runs in backyard, he rapidly tires and shows sign indicating one leg is hurt. (recovery is rapid though).
- his jowl area has creeping white/grey hair, but not noticeable unless you look closely.
- his hearing has deteriorated. I have to shout at him sometimes (and then I feel bad).
- he lays around a lot more compared to 5 yrs ago.
- any other developments that happen?

How do they pass away. (If I know it, I can be better prepared and take positive actions that may prolong his lifespan)
- Is it all of a sudden, a day you find them dead on your bed, or dobes show visible signs before they pass away?

Any medicines/herbs that are very effective in dogs? (I know in humans they dont work very well), but maybe dogs have better metabolism/bio-availability.

One question. Has Trevor had a full cardio workup?

Your boy has already passed the life expectancy for the average Doberman male.

Congrats to you and him.

Me? I would have a full senior blood panel and a full cardio work up. If you can afford it.

Otherwise, simply enjoy his companionships as he is.

JMO

John
Portland OR

Each dog ages at their own rate. Some are happy and healthy right up until they are not. Others struggle with one age related condition after another.

Gin, my Doberman cross, hardly had any grey when she was euthanized from persistent vestibular syndrome at nearly fifteen. Lucky, my Standard Rat Terrier, started going grey at around six or seven, and when he was euthanized due to kidney failure at nearly thirteen, you could hardly tell that he'd had a white blaze as a younger dog, his face was so white.

John's advice of having a complete physical done (including bloodwork), along with an echo and holter, is the same thing I'd recommend.

My Harvard is almost exactly the same age as your boy - He is 11 years and 7 1/2 months. Making it into double digits is a pretty significant thing in Dobermans. Heart disease kills so many at an early age and if it's not their heart, then cancer gets them. It is possible that they will make it into their teens, but what may kill them is anybodies guess. Could still be heart disease, cancer, or a number of other things. Sometimes their body just fails them and it is kindest to put them out of their pain.

My Harvard is still in good shape, but has slowed down, his rear has lost some of its power, he sleeps more, might have cataracts in his eyes... because he does not seem to see as well at night. He is still very sound - no limping, and eats like a pig still. I've had to cut back a little on his food because he is not as active as he used to be. He gets fish oil, and a glucosamine every day. Every day is a gift at this point. His bloodwork was fine this year and he will have his yearly cardiac ultrasound next month.

I would suggest that you get a full senior workup done at your vets - this includes a full bloodwork panel.

My senior dog is a 13 year 8 month old fawn Doberman and you could practically just reread MaryJo's description of her Harvards aging process for my Toad.

I've had Dobes who greyed early (usually on the face) and some dogs who hardly had any grey at 10 or 11.

I'd also recommend a senior blood panel and a cardiac exam (Holter and echo) if you can afford it. But as MaryJo pointed out your boy has already lived longer than the average for Dobes.

Good luck and may you have him for many more years.

dobebug

Not being mean or a smart azz here , but don’t worry about it , lots of energy wasted , plus adding gray hair , Live the moment , everyday ,

It don’t matter to me if there gray or not , I sometimes wish that people were more like our best friends , they know no difference , they still love us like they and we were still young , maybe more .

Best of luck to both of you

Doc