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 father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your furry buddy comfortable 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 I Can’t Afford Vet Care!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
I actually don’t have the cash to take care of my pet. My canine Goodie has a coronary heart murmur however medical bills are excessive, what can I do? I actually need assistance and I’m so scared for him.” – Uriah
I fully perceive how overwhelming this case should really feel, Uriah. Loving a pet like Goodie means eager to do every little thing potential to maintain him wholesome, however monetary boundaries could make that extremely worrying. The excellent news is that there are nonetheless methods to get him the care he wants.
First, I like to recommend reaching out to native animal shelters, humane societies, or veterinary colleges. Many supply low-cost clinics or monetary help applications for pet house owners in troublesome conditions. Some veterinarians additionally supply fee plans or work with organizations like CareCredit, which offers financing choices for medical bills. Moreover, nonprofit teams akin to The Pet Fund, RedRover, or The Brown Dog Foundation might supply grants or help for pets with medical circumstances like Goodie’s.
Since Goodie has a coronary heart murmur, his wants will depend upon the severity of the situation. Some murmurs are gentle and don’t require fast remedy, whereas others want medicine to forestall problems. In the event you haven’t already, ask a veterinarian if there are reasonably priced administration choices or way of life changes that might assist him keep snug. Easy adjustments, like reducing stress and avoiding extreme exertion, can generally make a giant distinction. You’re doing the appropriate factor by looking for assist, and there are sources on the market that may assist you. Keep robust for Goodie, he’s fortunate to have somebody who cares a lot about him!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canines Don’t Cease Barking!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My canines Moseley, Rev, and Pickles bark incessantly, and it doesn’t matter what I say or do. Additionally they howl collectively! They at all times begin barking once I get on the telephone. When somebody involves the door. If somebody drives by on our lane. It might most actually be worse cuz I’ve seen and heard, however how do I make it higher?” – Corinne
It feels like Moseley, Rev, and Pickles have developed a behavior of barking and howling collectively, doubtless reinforcing one another’s pleasure or alertness. Barking is a pure canine habits, however when it turns into extreme, it’s usually a mixture of intuition, behavior, and realized habits. Of their case, it appears to be triggered by exterior stimuli like individuals passing by, guests on the door, and even your telephone conversations. This implies each territorial alert barking and attention-seeking habits.
Since they don’t appear to answer verbal corrections, they could not perceive what you need from them in these moments. As a substitute of making an attempt to cease the barking instantly, concentrate on instructing an alternate habits. For instance, you may train a dependable “quiet” cue by first rewarding them once they pause naturally after which step by step pairing it with a verbal command. In the event that they bark when individuals strategy, redirect their focus to a particular spot, like a mat or mattress, the place they are often rewarded for calm habits. Working towards impulse management workout routines, akin to “sit and stay” with distractions, may even assist.
For phone-triggered barking, they could have realized that barking will get your consideration once you’re distracted. Strive giving them a particular, long-lasting chew or meals puzzle earlier than you make a name, so that they affiliate your telephone time with quiet engagement. Consistency is essential—if all three canines are reinforcing one another, coaching them individually first could also be mandatory earlier than bringing them collectively. With endurance and constructive reinforcement, you may assist them channel their power into extra acceptable behaviors whereas nonetheless permitting them to precise themselves when it really issues.
Greatest needs,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Ingested Glass!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Hazel threw up within the night time, which consisted of little shards of a Corningware glass that had cranberry sauce in it that broke. I instantly cleaned it up with paper towels, however the little scavenger she is obtained into the trash. Can I give her Pepto Bisol or one thing to assist her? There isn’t any blood.” – Suzie
Hello Suzie, I’m so sorry Hazel obtained into the trash and ingested glass. Although she isn’t displaying any fast regarding indicators like blood within the vomit, that is nonetheless a state of affairs that requires veterinary consideration. Ingesting glass could cause inner cuts or irritation in her mouth, esophagus, abdomen, or intestines, even when she appears effective proper now. The most important concern is that small shards might trigger inner injury as they transfer by way of her digestive system.
Pepto-Bismol is not really helpful on this case, because it received’t shield in opposition to any potential inner damage and will masks indicators {that a} veterinarian must assess. As a substitute, it’s finest to contact your veterinarian as quickly as potential. They could advocate an examination, X-rays, or feeding a bulk-forming weight-reduction plan (akin to plain canned pumpkin or tender bread) to assist cushion any remaining fragments. Maintain an in depth eye on Hazel for indicators of discomfort, vomiting, lack of urge for food, or problem defecating, and keep away from giving any over-the-counter drugs until suggested by a vet. Since this might be an pressing state of affairs, a web based teletriage veterinary service like our personal service, PangoVet.com could also be useful to evaluate her danger degree for those who can’t get to a clinic instantly.
All the most effective,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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