Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we deliver knowledgeable 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 mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your furry pal completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care in your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! I Suppose My Canine Died from Her Meals!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My canine Luna handed away shortly after I modified her pet food. Is it attainable to get her meals examined? As a result of if it was the trigger, it ought to most likely be a recall and I might save different canines. ” – Amber
Amber, I’m so sorry in your loss. Shedding Luna should be extremely painful, and I can solely think about how troublesome it’s to navigate this whereas questioning if her meals performed a task. Your concern for different canines speaks volumes about your love for animals, and also you completely can have her meals examined to rule out any potential contamination or toxicity.
To do that, you’ll need to preserve the remaining meals saved in its authentic packaging, if attainable, because the lot quantity, expiration date, and producer particulars shall be essential. A veterinary toxicology lab or a university-affiliated diagnostic lab can be the very best place to check for contaminants like mold toxins, bacterial pathogens, heavy metals, or sudden drug residues. You might also need to report your concern to the FDA’s Middle for Veterinary Drugs, as they observe potential pet meals points. If Luna’s passing was sudden and unexplained, a necropsy (animal post-mortem) carried out by a veterinary pathologist might present readability, to find the reason for dying.
Whereas it’s pure to search for solutions, please attempt to stay calm throughout this time. Meals-related deaths in canines are uncommon, however they do occur, and if the food was the issue and different canines are saved, that will be a significant solution to honor your Luna.
Condolences,
Condolences,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canine Has Fleas!
“My canine Mimi was identified with flea infestation—what’s ‘flea infestation’ and the way do canines get it? I preserve her groomed, and her groomer has by no means discovered fleas on her, I by no means discovered fleas on her, my home shouldn’t be infested with fleas. Mimi is a Polish Sheepdog, spoiled, lives in the home, potties outdoors, and has her personal mattress (which is flea free).
She was consistently itching and getting in circles on concrete to scratch her buttocks. (it will get uncooked). She’s been taking Oclacitinib for two months; she nonetheless itches however not as a lot.
Is there the rest I can do to assist her?“ – Julia
Mimi’s fixed itching and rubbing, particularly round her rear, feels like a traditional case of flea allergy dermatitis; a hypersensitivity response the place even a single flea chunk could cause intense itching for weeks. A flea infestation happens when fleas stay and reproduce on a dog or in their environment, feeding on blood and laying eggs that unfold all through the house and yard. Nonetheless, not all infestations are apparent. Fleas are tiny, fast-moving, and wonderful at hiding, particularly in a thick Polish Sheepdog coat like Mimi’s. Grownup fleas solely make up about 5% of an infestation, with the remaining 95% (eggs, larvae, and pupae) hiding in carpets, bedding, and out of doors areas.
Since Mimi has been on Oclacitinib for 2 months and continues to be scratching, it’s seemingly that flea publicity hasn’t been totally managed. Oclacitinib helps cut back irritation and itching however doesn’t stop flea bites, which might proceed triggering reactions. To actually handle her discomfort, she wants a fast-acting oral flea therapy that kills fleas earlier than they chunk, together with a long-term flea prevention plan. Deep cleansing of your house is a vital a part of the extermination therapy. This contains vacuuming carpets, washing bedding, steaming furnishings, and treating out of doors areas. This helps to eradicate flea eggs and larvae earlier than they become adults.
Since she continues to be uncomfortable, Julia, an alternative choice to contemplate is a long-acting itch reduction injected therapy. This works by blocking the particular itch alerts in her physique, offering reduction for weeks fairly than needing day by day remedy. This may be particularly useful for canines with allergic circumstances like Mimi’s. If she continues to scratch regardless of flea management and itch administration, it may be time to discover different culprits, beginning with potential allergy triggers, resembling environmental or food allergens. It’s a little bit of detective blends housekeeping however with the fitting mixture of therapies, Mimi must be feeling comfy and itch-free.
Want you good luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! How Do I Introduce My Pups to Grooming?
“Hiya Dr. Paola!
I’ve two Yorkie pups, Aurora and Orion, who’re +/- 15 weeks. Please are you able to information me on the best way to introduce them to being groomed (making ready them at dwelling) & at what age? Thanks” – Invoice
Ah fortunate you, DM, I all the time needed a Yorkshire Terrier and you bought two! Aurora and Orion are on the good age to start out light grooming introductions at dwelling. Congratulations for being proactive and setting them up for a lifetime of constructive experiences. Consider me once I say each you and them will profit enormously from this.
Yorkshire Terriers have wonderful, silky coats that require regular maintenance, so making grooming gratifying early on will stop stress and resistance later. Ideally, their first skilled grooming session ought to occur round 4 to six months outdated, however your house preparation will make all of the distinction.
Begin by desensitizing them to permit dealing with. You do that by often touching their paws, ears, and face to get them accustomed to being touched in delicate areas. Use a smooth brush, like a slicker or pin brush, and allow them to sniff it earlier than gently operating it by their coat for brief, constructive classes. Preserve it gentle and playful, providing treats and reward to assist create a constructive affiliation. You can even get them used to the sounds of clippers and blow dryers, by introducing these step by step. You can begin by turning them on at a distance and pairing the noise with treats.
Bathing must be launched with lukewarm water and a gentle pet shampoo, retaining classes brief and stress-free. A smooth towel and a low-heat, low-speed dryer may help dry their coat whereas retaining them comfy. By the best way, please don’t hesitate to put money into a canine hair dryer, these have managed temperatures and decibels to keep away from hurting or scaring your pups.
Nail trimming is one other important step; begin by merely dealing with their paws then proceed to tapping the clippers towards their claws with out slicing at first to get them used to the feeling. Inserting them over your lap or on a safe, non-slip floor throughout these classes will assist them really feel steady and extra assured.
With constant, light apply, Aurora and Orion will be taught that grooming is simply one other type of bonding and care. Don’t rush it and attempt to give attention to brief and constructive classes a few instances a day as an alternative. By the point they go to knowledgeable groomer, they’ll already be comfy with the method, making the expertise a lot smoother for everybody!
Congratulations once more,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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