Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can hold your furry pal completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care in your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! My Canine has Degenerative Myelopathy
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
Dallas was recognized with Degenerative myelopathy virtually a yr in the past. He’s actually beginning to battle along with his again legs, and he’s falling so much. What can I do to assist him?” – Barbara
Hello Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out and for caring so deeply for Dallas. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is such a heartbreaking situation to witness, because it slowly chips away at a canine’s mobility whereas they continue to be mentally vibrant and engaged. It’s extremely troublesome watching a beloved pal trapped in a physique that’s now not cooperating. The excellent news is that there are methods you possibly can help Dallas’s high quality of life and assist him stay snug and lively for so long as attainable.
At this stage, when weak point and falls change into extra frequent, assistive gadgets could make a big distinction. A well-fitted rear support harness means that you can assist Dallas stroll with extra stability particularly when going outdoors for toileting or navigating slippery flooring. Some canines additionally profit from utilizing a wheelchair or cart, which helps take the burden off their hind finish and permits them to proceed exploring their world with a little bit of independence. You may give a few of these DIY wheelchair projects a strive.
Inside the home, yoga mats or rubber runners can create protected paths that reduce slipping. Bodily remedy or hydrotherapy will help keep muscle tone, help circulation, and decelerate additional decline, virtually like physiotherapy for people with spinal points.
Though there’s no treatment for DM, the aim now could be to protect consolation and dignity. You may additionally take into account working with a veterinarian who gives integrative care, together with acupuncture or laser therapy, as some canines discover these therapies useful in sustaining energy and luxury. In the event you’re ever unsure about the best way to greatest help Dallas everyday, a tele-triage consultation will help information selections with out requiring a visit to the clinic, particularly if mobility is restricted. You’re clearly doing the whole lot you possibly can to make his days brighter, and that love and your help and presence imply extra to him than something. Thanks for being a loving pet father or mother!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canines’ Meals Has Been Recalled!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
I’ve been shopping for Carna4 pet food for some time for my canines Emmy and Tazie from a Vendor in PA and lately off Amazon. Nobody notified us that the merchandise had been recalled. That’s not proper, we’ve got been feeding our canines this pet food together with their home-cooked meal.
What are the well being risks we now want to concentrate on? Whose duty is it to inform consumers when risks exist in any “wholesome” meals made for people and our pricey fur infants? Ought to I throw out our newest bag of Duck, Liver, Eggs, and Sprouted Seeds? We reside in a purchaser beware world; I didn’t see this coming! “ – Donna
Hello Donna,
I fully perceive your frustration and concern after we select a commercially obtainable pet food, we count on transparency and security, particularly on the subject of our canines’ well-being. Emmy and Tazie are fortunate to have somebody so proactive and tuned into their care.
To my information, Carna4 has by no means had a recall, and none have been reported by the FDA. That mentioned, for those who heard this from a dependable supply, it’s vital to find out precisely why the product was pulled. Some remembers are precautionary, corresponding to minor high quality considerations, whereas others are primarily based on confirmed dangers resulting from potential contamination (like Salmonella or mold) and with confirmed instances. The latter ones require quick motion, like pulling them off the cabinets.
Typically, remembers are issued by coordination with the FDA, and producers are anticipated to inform retailers, distributors, and, ideally, the general public. Sadly, not all on-line retailers or third-party sellers are diligent in passing that info alongside, which might depart pet mother and father at midnight. When a recall is introduced, notably if there’s any danger of sickness, it’s most secure to cease feeding the affected product instantly and monitor your pets for any uncommon indicators corresponding to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or urge for food modifications. Even when Emmy and Tazie appear high quality, it’s a good suggestion to inform your veterinarian and hold the packaging or batch quantity helpful in case follow-up testing is required.
As for duty, each the producer and the vendor share the moral obligation to inform shoppers, however the actuality is, particularly in a web-based market, that follow-through is commonly inconsistent. In instances like this, it’s at all times most secure to err on the facet of warning and discontinue the meals till you’ve verified that the batch is just not included within the recall. I encourage you to report any considerations on to the FDA’s pet meals criticism portal—they do take shopper studies critically, and your voice helps advocate not simply in your canines however for others too. By the way in which, do you know that Dogster sends official recall alerts to your electronic mail? You possibly can join, and you’ll get an electronic mail each time a canine’s meals has a recall issued. I hope this helps!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Obsessively Licks His Paws!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My canine Morty obsessively licks his paws and me, particularly my fingers, arms, legs, and toes. He appears upset once I inform him to cease. Is that this nervousness? Ought to I make him cease or simply let him do it? “ – Heather
Hello Heather,
Thanks for sharing this about Morty. It feels like he’s a really affectionate soul, however I perceive how the fixed licking can increase questions and even change into overwhelming at instances. When canines repeatedly lick their paws or their humans, it’s typically extra than simply grooming or affection, it may be an indication of an underlying emotional or bodily want.
Licking can function a self-soothing conduct, just like how some individuals chunk their nails when anxious. If Morty appears distressed if you interrupt him, anxiety may definitely be taking part in a job. Separation-related stress, boredom, or perhaps a historical past of reinforcement (the place the licking could have as soon as been rewarded with consideration can all contribute. Nevertheless, it’s additionally vital to rule out bodily causes. Paw licking, particularly, could stem from allergic reactions, irritation, or discomfort. Canines with environmental allergies typically present indicators by their pores and skin and paws, and in some instances, it turns into a cycle: itch results in licking, which results in extra irritation. If his paws look purple, swollen, or stained from saliva, it’s price having your veterinarian look at him.
Quite than scolding him, which might create confusion or add to emphasize, strive redirecting his power in ways in which meet his emotional and bodily wants; for instance, give him a puzzle toy, a frozen lick mat, or interact him in calm coaching classes that use constructive reinforcement. You’re proper to pause and wonder if to permit the conduct or not, and one of the best path ahead is normally one among compassionate redirection. If nervousness is suspected however not excessive, a session by a tele-triage service will help information you on easy, supportive interventions earlier than transferring on to a full behavioral seek the advice of. You’re already doing proper by Morty by observing and asking the correct questions; typically our canines talk in licks what they’ll’t say in phrases. Good luck!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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