Determine Dogs biological age?

[BlueBell]

My dog was a rescue so there isn't any background information as to when she was born. The first Vet that she was taken to in order to repair a broken leg put her age at 16 weeks. If I continue counting weeks until now it would make her around 10 months but after adopting her and taking her for a wellness visit to meet my Vet he said she was between a year and a year and a half. Is there a way for me to really know how old she is or is there a need for me to really know? I am thinking about different testing such as fanconi and doing it at the right age.

[Rita Jean]

Please do Fanconi right away. I could be wrong but I understand the earlier the better for you and your dog. That away you know. I need to have our Basenji eyes done and she just about 8 months again I understand once a year so could do that now also. As far as knowing age maybe someone else on here can give you insight on how to find the age. Good Luck.

Rita Jean

[lvoss]

When did this wellness exam take place? What did they base their conclusion on?

Things that vets can use to estimate age are teeth and growth plates. Estimates are usually better on pups and young dogs because there are more clues to age.

[lvoss]

When was the pic you are using for your avatar taken?

[tanza]

If you have a mix, typically Fanconi will not be a problem. Rita Jean, with eyes, you need a base line now, then if no problems you are really OK to do every two years. If you were breeding that would be different. At age 7 or 8 you might want to have it done every year, but again, I never did. I still just did every other year provided there were no problems.

[tanza]

@BlueBell:

My dog was a rescue so there isn't any background information as to when she was born. The first Vet that she was taken to in order to repair a broken leg put her age at 16 weeks. If I continue counting weeks until now it would make her around 10 months but after adopting her and taking her for a wellness visit to meet my Vet he said she was between a year and a year and a half. Is there a way for me to really know how old she is or is there a need for me to really know? I am thinking about different testing such as fanconi and doing it at the right age.

If the Vet was putting the age at 16 wks, I would guess that it was based on the teeth. Easiest way to judge age when babies… However that said, from 10 months to a year is not that big of a difference...

[Rita Jean]

Thank you Pat for the eyes info going to get Jaycee's done. There was a vet eye clinic at the dog show but I found out to late. Have to look around and find were to go.

Rita Jean

[Buddys Pal]

Just remember how Mother Nature works. Small dogs mature faster than large dogs. Has to do with resources and the like. Small mammals are for the larger mammals food source and so on…. We as humans have determined the size and looks and temperament for our own good, but mother nature has her ways ingrained too. Maturing faster than large dogs has thrown out the proverbial 7 human years to 1 year and so on, etc. in determining the age of ANY Dog now. Ask your vet. I'd just get the test whenever you need it for breeding purposes and health concerns. Hope this helps....

[tanza]

@Rita:

Thank you Pat for the eyes info going to get Jaycee's done. There was a vet eye clinic at the dog show but I found out to late. Have to look around and find were to go.

Rita Jean

http://www.acvo.org/locate_an_ophthalmologist.htm

Also check AKC for dog shows in your area as many offer eye clinic

[BlueBell]

@lvoss:

When did this wellness exam take place? What did they base their conclusion on?

Things that vets can use to estimate age are teeth and growth plates. Estimates are usually better on pups and young dogs because there are more clues to age.

Teeth. But Bella's Foster Mom said their Vet used the same determination so to me that is confusing.

[lvoss]

Again, I would ask when the two exams took place. It is possible during the foster mom's exam Bella still had her puppy canine's which would have given a better idea of her age. Especially if she was in the process of losing teeth.

[BlueBell]

Her Foster Mom took her shortly after she was rescued off the streets of Nashville and that Vet said 16 weeks In March so I would assume she did have her puppy teeth then. My Vet saw her last month.

[lvoss]

Then I would go by the earlier estimate of 16 weeks. That probably had more information.

[BlueBell]

Thanks for the help.

[BlueBell]

@lvoss:

When was the pic you are using for your avatar taken?

A month or so ago. Why do you ask? Sorry I have'nt been on here for a while.