Ask Dr. Paola- Couches, Hair Loss & Water Int...

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry knowledgeable 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 mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry pal blissful and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Jumps on the Sofa Each time She’s Dwelling Alone!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

How do I preserve my canine Kiki off the sofa once we’re out? I’ve tried placing a pillow tower up; I’ve tried aluminium foil. She by no means will get invited up and is all the time instructed off if we see her up on the sofa, however as quickly as we go away the home, she invitations herself up each time.”  – Hollie

Hello Hollie,

It feels like your canine has discovered a intelligent little routine, and that is truly a quite common state of affairs. Canine are opportunistic learners, and after they uncover {that a} conduct feels good and solely has penalties once you’re round, they have an inclination to repeat it when the coast is evident. The sofa is probably going providing her heat, consolation, and your scent, all of that are extremely reinforcing, particularly in your absence.

To stop this behavior, the best methods both handle entry or make the sofa genuinely unappealing in your absence, all whereas providing a extra engaging different. Since she’s already outsmarted foil and pillow limitations, think about using pet-safe deterrents that don’t contain punishment however assist information her decisions. You may strive:

• Crate training or utilizing a delegated dog-safe room once you’re not residence, which removes entry totally in a humane and structured method.
• Pet-safe scat mats or upside-down plastic carpet runners with the nubby facet up will be extra bodily uncomfortable, making the floor much less interesting with out inflicting hurt.
• Offering a comfy, elevated dog bed in a most popular location. Some canines are drawn to being up excessive, so giving her a spot that mimics the sofa’s top and texture might redirect her conduct.
• Scented deterrent sprays formulated particularly for canines can generally scale back curiosity, although not all canines reply to those.

In case you’d like assist fine-tuning a plan that matches your setup and your canine’s temperament, be at liberty to e-book a session with us at PangoVet. Consistency and environmental administration are your strongest allies right here, and over time, she’ll study that staying off the sofa isn’t just a brief rule however a standing one.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine is Dropping Her Hair!

“My canine Susie is dropping her hair. I had her thyroid checked, and along with her treatment, it’s working usually. What can I do about her hair loss? “ – Carol

Hello Carol,

Thanks for being proactive about Maggie’s well being. Hair loss in canines, even when thyroid ranges are well-managed with treatment, can have a number of causes. Hypothyroidism is a typical offender, but when her ranges are steady, we have to look additional. Persistent pores and skin irritation, allergies (both environmental or food-related), parasites like mites, and even hormonal imbalances past thyroid perform may very well be contributing components. In some instances, extended hypothyroidism earlier than remedy may result in persistent pores and skin and coat modifications that take time to enhance.

If Maggie’s pores and skin seems dry, flaky, or irritated, or if she’s licking, chewing, or scratching greater than common, it’s vital to think about dermatologic causes resembling atopic dermatitis or seborrhea. Dietary deficiencies, particularly in important fatty acids, may have an effect on coat high quality. Guaranteeing that her eating regimen is full and balanced, ideally with veterinary steerage, can help pores and skin well being. Omega-3 dietary supplements, for instance, have evidence-based advantages for pores and skin barrier help and irritation management. If her coat isn’t enhancing or the hair loss is worsening, an intensive dermatologic workup by your veterinarian could also be mandatory, together with pores and skin scrapings, allergy testing, or biopsy, relying on the case.

Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Doesn’t Drink A lot Water!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

Billy doesn’t drink a lot water in any respect through the day after which guzzles at night time. He’s a Labrador. Is there one thing to fret about right here?”– Sara

Hello Sara,

It’s nice to see you’re observing Billy’s habits so attentively. A wholesome canine sometimes drinks about 50 to 60 milliliters of water per kilogram of physique weight per day. For the typical Labrador, that’s roughly 1.5 to 2 liters in 24 hours, which interprets to about 0.75 to 1 ounce of water per pound of physique weight in 24 hours, relying on measurement, exercise, and eating regimen. Measuring Billy’s whole daily intake over a number of days can present precious perception. If he’s consuming moisture-rich fresh or moist meals, getting moisture-rich treats, or exercising much less through the day, these components might scale back his daytime thirst and shift his ingesting to the night.

It’s additionally price contemplating environmental influences. Canine might drink much less through the day in the event that they’re resting in a cool, quiet space or if their entry to water is restricted by routine or location. Elevated motion, heat, or exercise within the night might then set off a pure spike in thirst. Delicate modifications like utilizing air-con through the day and having hotter indoor temperatures at night time may shift hydration patterns. It’s additionally doable that the water in his bowl turns into heat or stale through the day, main him to attend till it cools down within the night, when it’s extra interesting to drink. Observing Billy’s routine and ensuring recent, clear water is all the time accessible and simply accessible all through the day is a useful first step.

Whereas medical situations resembling power kidney illness, diabetes mellitus, or Cushing’s disease are related to elevated water consumption, these sometimes trigger a extra persistent, round the clock enhance in thirst reasonably than a sample confined to nighttime. Since Billy’s thirst just isn’t fixed, behavioral or environmental causes could also be extra possible. Nonetheless, if his whole consumption is above regular or if another indicators seem, a routine test together with your veterinarian, supported by bloodwork and urinalysis, is essentially the most dependable technique to rule out early underlying illness. By retaining monitor of Billy’s whole consumption and observing his each day routine, you’ll be well-equipped to find out whether or not that is merely an environmental or behavioral sample or one thing that deserves a better veterinary look.

Finest!

Dr.Paola