Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver 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 suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can maintain your furry buddy comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a variety of subjects 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 Is Altering Colour!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
My 5-month-old miniature poodle Moxie was purple with a white chest after I purchased him, however after two shampoos, his purple coat has turned an nearly golden blonde shade. Is that this regular? Is there something I can payment or give him that can restore and keep his purple coat? Is there a particular shampoo I ought to use? Please assist!” – Madelyne
Hello Madelyne!
It feels like Moxie goes by way of a really regular shade transition. Many red Poodles expertise coat fading or lightening as they mature, and this may occur fairly dramatically in some instances. Poodles carry genes that affect coat color change over time, typically resulting in shades of apricot, cream, and even silvering in some strains. This course of is named “clearing,” and whereas some reds keep wealthy and deep, others naturally fade it doesn’t matter what you do.
There’s no magic shampoo or complement that can utterly forestall this alteration, because it’s primarily genetic. I’ve seen color-enhancing pet shampoo particularly formulated for purple or apricot coats, which declare to revive purple pigments with out using harsh chemical compounds. In declare to assist intensify remaining pigment, however they gained’t reverse genetic fading. Sadly, I cannot advocate a selected product to you and I ought to warn you that their security has not been studied.
It’s value mentioning the function of diet in coat well being. Making certain Moxie is on a high-quality weight-reduction plan wealthy in omega-3 (such as those found in fish oil) and omega-6 fatty acids can improve the richness and shine of his coat.
Hope that helps!
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canine Can’t Appear to Get Alongside!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
I’m the proprietor of two male long-haired chihuahuas (Walter and Tripp). They’re litter mates. I bought Tripp when he was 8 weeks previous and a few yr later I bought Walter, who had been given to another person however that particular person had been neglecting and abusing him so my buddy took him again and requested if I might take him. It’s been 2 years now and he’s a really candy canine, however the issue is, my two canines battle always, growling at one another and typically they battle, biting and growling. They actually appear to hate one another. I can’t decide up one with out the opposite making an attempt to assault him. Is there one thing that I can do to cease this conduct? They solely battle with one another they don’t battle with different canines. I stay in a family with 4 different canines of various sizes and shapes from a smaller Chihuahua to a big Doberman Pinscher they usually get together with all of them besides one another. Assist please” – Wanda
Wanda, it feels like Walter and Tripp’s fights are because of unresolved pressure, probably because of competitors, resource guarding, and Walter’s previous trauma. Since you might have clearly recognized that they get together with different canines however not one another, their relationship dynamic is the core situation. To prevent fights, keep away from conditions the place they really feel the necessity to compete—corresponding to selecting one up in entrance of the opposite, petting one, and even talking and watching one whereas not the opposite.
You should utilize child gates or crates when essential to create a protected house. It’s essential to give attention to reinforcing calm conduct with high-value rewards which are supplied concurrently. Structured actions like parallel walks, feeding concurrently however at a protected distance, and managed play may also help rebuild their tolerance for one another.
Your coaching ought to give attention to impulse management and reinforcing neutrality. Educating cues like “leave it” and “place” will give them alternate options to reacting aggressively. Guarantee they obtain consideration solely when each are calm to forestall jealousy. Since their aggression is particular to one another, skilled steering from a behaviorist might assist if the fights persist. With consistency and construction, they will be taught to coexist extra peacefully, and for those who persistently get it proper, ultimately get alongside.
Assist! What Flea Therapy Ought to I Use?
“Hi there Dr. Paola!
We stay in an space that’s infested with ticks and chiggers and wish to know which therapy could be finest for my Shichon, Chewie, my 10-pound pet. I’m feeding him principally uncooked meals and wish him to remain wholesome. Thanks” – Lydia
Hey Lydia, I respect your belief in searching for steering on your canine’s care. Ticks and chiggers are exterior parasites that may transmit a number of ailments to canines and people. Ticks are particularly harmful as they’re vectors of serious illnesses, chiggers (larval mites) primarily trigger intense itching and pores and skin irritation somewhat than systemic infections. Nonetheless, since we’re unable to ascertain a doctor-patient relationship by way of this house, I’m unable to advocate a selected therapy product, although we do have a listing of the top available ones here.
That mentioned, veterinary care is extremely individualized, and what works for one canine might not be appropriate for an additional. The very best plan of action is to seek the advice of a veterinarian who’s aware of the species of ticks in your space and who can straight consider your canine’s distinctive well being standing, medical historical past, and particular wants earlier than figuring out probably the most applicable therapy.
In the event you’re not sure the place to start out, you may as well schedule a name with one of our veterinarians at PangoVet, our tele-triage veterinary service, they usually may also help present common steering on whether or not your canine’s situation requires pressing in-person care, to make sure your canine receives protected and efficient care.
Greatest Needs,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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