Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we carry skilled recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry good friend joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! How Do You Know When “It’s Time”?
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
How are you aware when it’s time to place your pet down? Boots is a Bischon and 16. He has arthritis in his again legs on gabapentin each day. He can’t maintain his poop and pee and can simply go in the home. He whines lots, however I’m undecided if he feels ache or simply needs me by him. He doesn’t leap up or down from the furnishings anymore. I don’t wish to be the dangerous person who simply places him down.” – Pam
Hello Pam, I can really feel how a lot you like Boots simply by studying your query and I perceive how troublesome this choice is for you. Deciding when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved pet is likely one of the hardest selections we face as pet mother and father, and it’s clear you wish to take advantage of compassionate choice for him.
I recommend you start by assessing Boots’ high quality of life. Veterinarians usually use frameworks just like the “High quality of Life Scale,” which evaluates elements like mobility, urge for food, hydration, ache management, hygiene, and general happiness. From what you describe (whining, incontinence, and lack of mobility), these might point out he’s struggling. Whining generally is a signal of ache, discomfort, or confusion, particularly in older canines growing senile dementia. Whereas gabapentin may also help with arthritis ache, it might not absolutely tackle his discomfort if different circumstances, reminiscent of cognitive dysfunction or organ decline, are additionally affecting him.
start line could be to ask your self:
- Does he nonetheless benefit from the issues that when made him joyful?
- Are his good days outnumbered by dangerous ones?
- Does he appear to be struggling greater than thriving?
And please keep in mind it’s not about being a “dangerous particular person;” choosing euthanasia is an act of affection and compassion when it prevents extended struggling. A dialog along with your veterinarian can present readability. They will assess Boots’ bodily and emotional state and assist you to weigh whether or not his ache and decline outweigh his moments of pleasure. You might also discover it useful to schedule an online call with one of our veterinarians at PangoVet that can assist you navigate your emotions, perceive the choices and penalties, and higher perceive Boots’ wants.
Finally, Boots trusts you to behave in his finest curiosity, and no matter you resolve, it can come from a place of love and care. I’ve a sense that you simply’ve given him an exquisite life, and your thoughtfulness now displays the depth of your bond. Keep in mind that love and attachments are totally different, real love prioritizes the opposite one’s well-being whereas attachment focuses on our personal emotions.
Finest needs,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canine Retains Licking Her Lips!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
My canine Pip is licking her lips for a number of minutes at a time. It even wakes her up. She does it if we’re out strolling, she’s mendacity in her mattress, and so forth. It occurs roughly each hour. Has she received one thing incorrect along with her? What ought to I do?” – Shelley
Hello Shelley, thanks for reaching out about Pip. Lip licking in dogs, particularly when it occurs ceaselessly and disrupts her sleep, can point out that one thing is bothering her. This conduct is commonly an indication of nausea, discomfort, and even anxiousness. In some instances, it will probably additionally level to dental points, oral irritation, or an underlying gastrointestinal downside, reminiscent of acid reflux disorder.
For the reason that conduct happens each throughout relaxation and when you’re out strolling, it’s much less prone to be situational (like stress or concern) and extra probably one thing bodily or medical. Nausea, as an illustration, may cause canines to lick their lips repeatedly as a strategy to manage excess saliva or an unsettled abdomen. Equally, oral ache, like a sore tooth, gum irritation, and even one thing caught in her mouth, may result in this conduct.
To assist Pip, it might be finest to have her examined by a veterinarian as quickly as potential. The vet can carry out a radical oral examination, test for indicators of discomfort, and presumably run checks to rule out gastrointestinal points. Should you can, attempt to file a brief video of her lip licking to point out the vet; this may be very useful in diagnosing the trigger.
Within the meantime, keep watch over every other indicators, reminiscent of modifications in her urge for food, vomiting, or extreme drooling, and attempt to preserve her comfy. Should you’re uncertain whether or not to attend or act urgently, consulting with our veterinarians at PangoVet, our tele-triage online veterinary service can information the most effective subsequent steps. I’m assured that with the fitting care, Pip will really feel higher quickly!
Assist! My Canine Retains Burping!
“Hey Dr. Paola!
My canine Lucy has turn into extraordinarily burpy within the final yr. She by no means actually burped after which it looks as if these days she is continually burping all through the day however actually solely when different individuals are round (Lucy does love consideration lol). She’s on remedy for epilepsy which is the one factor that’s modified for her. Is that this regular?” – Kacey
Hello Kacey, thanks to your query about Lucy. Her increase in burping, notably along with her epilepsy medication within the combine, is price exploring. Whereas some burping in canines could be regular—identical to us, they often swallow air whereas consuming, ingesting, or throughout pleasure, a noticeable enhance in frequency or depth might sign one thing else.
Epilepsy drugs can typically influence the gastrointestinal system. Sure drugs may trigger gentle acid reflux disorder or alter the best way meals strikes by way of the abdomen, resulting in burping. Lucy’s conduct of burping primarily round folks may additionally point out she’s discovered tips on how to get consideration—it’s not unusual for canines to repeat behaviors that elicit a enjoyable response from their people!
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to begin by ruling out medical causes. Extreme burping can point out points like gentle acid reflux disorder, gastritis, and even swallowing further air when excited (aerophagia). Since her remedy is the one latest change, it might be a good suggestion to seek the advice of her vet to see if her remedy might be affecting her digestion or if one other underlying situation is perhaps at play. Your vet might suggest changes to her remedy, her weight loss program, or may add one thing to assist soothe her abdomen.
Within the meantime, attempt feeding her smaller, extra frequent meals and guaranteeing she eats calmly to reduce air swallowing. You may wish to try a slow feeder bowl for Lucy.
Finest Needs,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
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