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 dad or mum 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 provide insights that can hold your furry pal pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering 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 on your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here!
Assist! I Want Clippers For Large Canines!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Are there nail clippers obtainable for giant canine with heavy black nails like Zakky & Blade which have sensors in-built to keep away from reducing into the short?” – Dave
Hello Dave,
Sure, there are nail clippers designed for big canine like Zakky and Blade, that includes security mechanisms to assist forestall reducing into the short, which is particularly helpful for dogs with thick, black nails the place the short isn’t seen. These clippers typically incorporate safety guards or LED lights to reinforce visibility and management throughout trimming.
Some fashionable nail clippers mix a standard clipper with a grinder and embrace a security guard to assist forestall over-cutting. Others characteristic a fast sensor and LED mild to light up the nail, aiding in figuring out the secure reducing space. These instruments are designed to supply a safer trimming expertise, particularly for big breeds with darkish nails. When trimming your dog’s nails, it’s advisable to make small cuts and observe the nail’s cross-section for a grayish oval, indicating proximity to the short. It’s all the time an incredible concept to maintain some cauterizing powder useful in case you do by accident cut the nails too short and so they bleed. In case you’re unsure or uncomfortable with the method, consulting knowledgeable groomer or veterinarian could be helpful. They’ll show correct methods and assist guarantee your canine’s consolation and security throughout nail trims.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola
If you would like actual time solutions to your questions, you may speak to one in every of our veterinarians on-line. Click on on the picture or button under:
Assist! How Do I Deal With a Territorial Canine?
“My sister has a Shi-Poo canine, Luna. She’s 6 years previous and has all the time been territorial and bites. I’m uninterested in my sister by no means having taught her pup to do something. She works all day, and her youngsters have left for faculty. The canine is ok for about quarter-hour when being petted. Then it snaps and bites and assaults. How do I get it to cease since I don’t see the canine typically, however my sister refuses to do something about it? “ – Cassandra
Hello Cassandra,
I can hear your frustration, and it’s fully legitimate. Residing with and even sometimes interacting with a canine that bites could be not solely disagreeable however harmful, particularly when the conduct feels preventable. Luna’s age, breed combine, and historical past all play a task in her present conduct, however what you might be describing sounds extra like she’s displaying indicators of stress, tactile sensitivity, or overstimulation slightly than true aggression. Canines that “snap” after a couple of minutes of petting or when petting a sure space are sometimes sending delicate indicators that they’ve had sufficient, or they’re in ache. But when these indicators go unnoticed, they escalate to biting as a final resort to make the interplay cease.
Since Luna doesn’t stay with you and your sister isn’t taking motion, your choices are a bit restricted, however you may nonetheless shield your self and presumably enhance her conduct progressively. Attempt to keep away from any extended petting or shut contact until the canine initiates and clearly seeks it. You will need to make an effort to respect the boundaries by understanding her precursor indicators. Watch for signs like turning the pinnacle away, lip licking, yawning, or a stiffened physique. These are Luna’s well mannered methods of claiming “I would like house.” In case you can, cease petting her and transfer barely away to permit her to settle down, then redirect her focus onto one thing else that she enjoys. She’s going to be taught that you’ll be able to respect her limits; you may also reward calm conduct with out bodily contact.
It’s additionally value mentioning that for her conduct to vary, everybody within the household must be on the identical boat and deal with her the identical method. You would possibly wish to have a chat together with your sister and level out that Luna’s conduct may worsen over time, and this type of biting can lead to severe harm or authorized points, particularly if it occurs to a customer or baby. Typically, a delicate reminder of the potential penalties is the nudge somebody wants to hunt assist.
This type of case might profit from a distant session with one in every of our licensed veterinarians at Pangovet. They’ll information your sister and supply a plan that works round her schedule. When you might not have the ability to prepare Luna your self, encouraging small adjustments and displaying them the right way to take pleasure in respectful interactions can affect your sister and set a safer instance for others who go to. Thanks for reaching out!
– Dr. Paola
I Adopted a Malnourished Greyhound & Want Assist!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
We now have lately adopted a Greyhound known as Zimmi, who’s severely malnourished and continues to be in rehab earlier than we get her on Saturday. All of her medical assessments got here again with a transparent invoice. She has been sterilized lately and has had all her injections, dewormings, and Bravecto therapies. How can I help along with her weight achieve and her total progress?” – Natashja
Hello Natashja,
Thanks for opening your coronary heart to Zimmi. Greyhounds, particularly these coming from racing or neglectful backgrounds, typically arrive underweight and in want of each bodily and emotional rehabilitation. Since her medical assessments got here again clear, that offers us a stable basis to construct upon. Supporting her restoration now entails a considerate steadiness of vitamin, routine, and persistence.
To assist Zimmi achieve weight safely, give attention to feeding a extremely digestible, calorie-dense weight-reduction plan that’s wealthy in animal protein and average in fats. Keep away from speeding into overfeeding, as her digestive system is probably going nonetheless adapting. It’s typically useful to start out with smaller, extra frequent meals all through the day slightly than giant parts .
Since you might be mentioning she is severely malnourished, I might suggest you ask the vet who carried out her medical assessments if a prescription restoration weight-reduction plan can be mandatory, as they’re particularly formulated to assist pets recovering from malnutrition, surgical procedure, or sickness. They’re usually energy-dense, extremely digestible, and enriched with high-quality animal protein, important fatty acids, and key micronutrients to advertise tissue restore, immune assist, and wholesome weight achieve. Consider them as a dietary security web that helps the physique rebuild from the within out, with out overwhelming the digestive system. If the vet says no, then a high-quality pet food formulated for energetic or working canine can work nicely. You may also wish to think about including gently cooked, species-appropriate proteins like rooster, turkey, or lean beef, together with omega-3-rich fish like sardines, which might assist each muscle restoration and coat well being. Keep in mind that the purpose is slow, steady recovery, not fast growth. You may also communicate together with your veterinarian about incorporating a canine probiotic or digestive enzyme complement to enhance nutrient absorption, particularly given her latest deworming and medical therapies.
Along with vitamin, mild reconditioning of her muscle groups by means of brief, managed walks and calm enrichment actions will assist rebuild each her power and her confidence. Greyhounds are sometimes extremely delicate and should take time to loosen up in a house setting. Maintaining a constant, low-stress surroundings will go a good distance. So long as she continues to eat nicely, achieve weight slowly, and reveals indicators of elevated vitality and luxury, you’re heading in the right direction. I like to recommend documenting this with pictures, common weights, and, if attainable, even measurements. This makes it simpler to guage actual progress. Nevertheless, if at any level she plateaus or regresses, a quick call with a vet at Pangovet could be useful to find out whether or not additional diagnostics or some changes to her vitamin plans are wanted. Thanks on your kindness in direction of Zimmi. You’re giving her a gorgeous second probability, and I believe that together with your love and care, she’ll flourish.
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
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