Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey 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 guardian or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may preserve your furry pal comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! My Canine Doesn’t Cease Lip Licking!
“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 many others. It occurs roughly each hour. Had she obtained one thing mistaken together with her?” – Shelley
Hello Shelley,
It’s nice that you’re so observant of Pip’s habits. Frequent lip licking, particularly when it disrupts Pip’s sleep or occurs as usually as each hour, is often an indication that one thing isn’t fairly proper. Whereas occasional lip-licking will be regular, like when a canine is tasting one thing or feeling a bit anxious, persistent episodes such as you’re describing may point out nausea, acid reflux, dental discomfort, and even a problem affecting her throat. Some canines additionally lick their lips excessively after they have an underlying gastrointestinal downside, similar to an upset stomach or inflammation. If she’s swallowing so much alongside the licking, it would counsel regurgitation or reflux.
Since that is occurring so often and is even waking her up, it could be greatest to have Pip checked by a veterinarian. An intensive oral examination, together with checking for any indicators of nausea, may assist pinpoint the trigger. If this began not too long ago and is progressively worsening, or if you happen to discover different adjustments like decreased urge for food, gulping, or drooling, these could be vital particulars to share along with your vet. Within the meantime, preserving a detailed eye on when it occurs, like whether or not it’s earlier than or after meals, throughout sure actions, or after ingesting, may assist in figuring out any patterns which may give clues to the underlying situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
To speak to a vet on-line now, click on on the picture or button under:
Assist! What Do I Feed My Canine Who Has Seizures?
“Hello Dr. Paola,
GusGus is our 5 1/2 lb Pomeranian child. He’s 14 years previous. Since he was a child, he has had seizures, about two a month. In any other case he’s fairly wholesome. Now older, his again proper leg shivers when he stands, however he does stroll nicely. We now have fed him Racheal Raes small kibble pet food for a while, however not too long ago have been knowledgeable her pet meals firm was purchased they usually not present good meat within the course of. What’s the greatest dry pet food, small dimension kibbles for our GusGus. I’m so involved about what sources the protein/meat is utilized in dry pet food. We’re determined to discover a wholesome meals for him as we love him so very a lot. Thanks” – Jeanette
Hello Jeanette,
I fully perceive your concern about discovering the very best meals for GusGus, particularly together with his historical past of seizures and now some tremors in his leg. Diet performs an important position in general well being, and as canines age, their dietary wants grow to be much more particular.
When deciding on pet food, it’s important to deal with ingredient high quality. Search for a product with clearly named animal proteins as the primary ingredient (similar to actual rooster, turkey, or fish) fairly than generic “meat meal” or by-products. Keep away from meals with components like corn, wheat, and soy, particularly if they’re listed inside the first 5 components on the label, and keep away from synthetic preservatives and colorings.
Should you’d wish to dive deeper into label reading, there are many educational resources out there that designate what to search for in pet food. Dogster has 1000’s of evaluations from different pet mother and father, which might help present perception into ingredient sourcing and high quality.
It’s 2025, so you’ll be able to even discover formulation that concentrate on joint and mind well being, which regularly include omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and antioxidants that might be useful. I choose fresh, whole-food-based diets over conventional kibble, as they usually include higher-quality proteins, fewer carbohydrates, and extra bioavailable vitamins. Should you’re open to it, incorporating frivolously cooked recent meals or high-quality freeze-dried options as toppers also can present extra vitamins and enhance digestibility. No matter you do, ensure you run it previous GusGus’s vet to make sure it’s a very good choice for him.
Some final suggestions could be to take your time transitioning GusGus gradually to his new food; ideally, do it over 7–10 days to assist in giving his digestive system time to regulate and stop digestive upset. Maintaining a detailed eye on his power ranges and seizure frequency can even information you in making the only option for him. He’s fortunate to have such a loving household looking for his well-being!
Better of luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Has a Mast Cell Tumor!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Nikki was not too long ago identified with a Mast Cell Tumor. They put her on 50mg Benadryl (she weighs 67 lbs). Surgical procedure was really useful, however the tumor is on her abdomen and really near ribs, so unsure if clear margins are potential. I’m weighing holistic approaches vs surgical procedure, however the holistic route may be very overwhelming to me. What questions ought to I be asking my vet? And is a 2nd opinion steered?” – Eadie
Hello Eadie,
I’m so sorry that Nikki is dealing with this prognosis. Mast cell tumors can range broadly in habits, so gathering as a lot data as potential will allow you to make the very best choice for her. Since surgical procedure has been really useful, one of the vital inquiries to ask your veterinarian is concerning the tumor’s grade and stage, as these affect prognosis and therapy choices. You’ll additionally wish to talk about whether or not extra imaging, similar to an ultrasound or CT scan, may make clear the tumor’s extent and whether or not clear margins are realistically achievable. If full elimination isn’t potential, ask about different methods, similar to radiation or targeted therapies, to handle any remaining cancerous cells.
A second opinion is all the time a good suggestion, particularly if you happen to’re feeling unsure concerning the surgical consequence. A veterinary oncologist can present worthwhile insights into the dangers and advantages of surgical procedure versus holistic or integrative approaches. To my data, there may be restricted scientific proof supporting holistic remedies for mast cell tumors (MCTs) in canines. Whereas some pure therapies, similar to medicinal mushrooms (e.g., Ganoderma lucidum), omega-3 fatty acids, and turmeric (curcumin), could have anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating results, they need to not change typical veterinary care. If holistic medicine feels overwhelming, you don’t have to decide on one path over the opposite; speak to your vet. Many circumstances profit from a mix of typical therapy and supportive therapies like supplements, medicinal mushrooms, or dietary changes. Simply take into account that it’s essential to observe your physician’s suggestions and keep away from giving something with out their approval and data as a result of pure remedy can generally intervene with different remedies. Your precedence is making certain Nikki’s consolation and high quality of life, so don’t hesitate to ask about ache administration, potential unwanted side effects, and what to watch at dwelling. You’re her greatest advocate; noting your observations and gathering all of the out there data and info will allow you to transfer ahead with confidence.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
Trending Merchandise
