Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey professional 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 supply insights that can maintain your furry good friend joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care on your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! My Canine is Chewing On Every thing!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
My pup Zoey is a Shih Tzu Bichon combine. She’s chewing stuff up, and I dont know
what’s going on together with her. I’m involved about her.
” – Trevor
Hey Trevor,
It seems like Zoey goes by way of a irritating section, and I perceive why you’re involved. Chewing is usually a regular conduct for canines, however when it turns into extreme or damaging, it typically indicators an underlying want. It may very well be it’s teething, boredom, anxiousness, or perhaps a lack of acceptable shops for her pure instincts. Since she’s a Shih Tzu-Bichon mix, she possible has a mixture of traits from each breeds, together with a powerful playful tendency, which could make managing her conduct a bit more difficult.
First, contemplate her age; if she’s nonetheless a puppy, teething discomfort may very well be driving her to chew on anything she will be able to discover. If she’s older, she could also be experiencing boredom or stress. Providing appropriate chew toys, puzzle feeders, and common train may also help redirect her vitality in a constructive approach. If she’s left alone for lengthy intervals, she could be chewing as a approach to deal with anxiety. In that case, interactive toys and even scent video games can maintain her engaged. If her chewing appears compulsive or is accompanied by different regarding behaviors, a vet examine could be wanted to rule out underlying medical points. Letting her discover the world in a structured approach, by way of coaching, mental enrichment, and play. These instruments and strategies may also help fulfill her instincts and scale back damaging habits. In the event you’d like to talk to one among our vets for extra tailor-made recommendation, you possibly can at all times schedule a call at PangoVet, the place one among our skilled veterinarians may also help you in additional element.
Finest needs,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Bloodhound Will get Reoccurring Ear Infections !
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Beretta is a Bloodhound who will get reoccurring ear infections after we take her to the vet. It’s often yeast typically although it’s an an infection as properly it doesn’t matter what we do this simply retains coming again. Any solutions? Thanks. “ – Lacey
Hello Lacey,
I utterly perceive how irritating and regarding chronic ear infections may be, particularly in a breed like a Bloodhound. Their lengthy, floppy ears create a heat, moist setting that yeast and micro organism thrive in, making them naturally inclined to those recurring points. Since Beretta retains experiencing these infections regardless of remedy, it’s essential to have a look at the larger image and be sure to embrace each the underlying causes and long-term administration methods.
Recurrent ear infections are sometimes linked to allergic reactions, whether or not environmental (like pollen or mud mites) or food-related. In the event you haven’t already, you would possibly wish to discover a hypoallergenic diet trial to see if meals sensitivities are contributing to the issue. Regular ear cleaning can be key, however it’s essential to make use of a veterinary-recommended drying answer reasonably than overcleaning, which might disrupt the pure stability of the ear canal. Since yeast thrives in damp circumstances, drying her ears totally after baths, swimming, and even humid climate could make an enormous distinction. If infections proceed regardless of these measures, a deeper diagnostic strategy that features ear cytology, tradition, or allergy testing might assist pinpoint an underlying difficulty that wants extra focused remedy. Given how persistent these infections have been, it could even be value discussing long-term administration choices together with your vet, corresponding to immunotherapy for allergic reactions or a selected upkeep plan to stop flare-ups.
Finest needs,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Vomits After Each Meal!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My canine Codie is a King Charles Cavalier and Maltese combine. I’ve had him on Purina meals since he was a pup, and began with Purina ONE Good Mix. I lately purchased the Purina True Intuition pet food with actual turkey and venison to present him quite a lot of tastes, however this one makes him vomit each time he eats it. Why might that be? He will probably be 3 years outdated in Could. Please clarify why one formulation was superb and this one isn’t. Thanks!” – Donna
Hello Donna, it seems like Codie might have a sensitivity or intolerance to one of many substances within the new meals. Despite the fact that each Purina ONE SmartBlend and True Intuition merchandise are from the identical model, their formulations differ in protein sources, fats content material, components, and digestibility. Canine, identical to individuals, can tolerate some meals properly whereas others upset their abdomen. Since Codie vomits each time he eats the brand new mix, it means that one thing within the formulation isn’t agreeing with him.
There are a couple of doable causes for this response. One is that he might have an intolerance to venison, which he hasn’t been uncovered to earlier than, or there could be the next fats content material that’s too wealthy for his digestive system. One other chance is an ingredient like peas, lentils, or sure preservatives that differ from what his system is used to processing. Sudden dietary modifications may also set off gastrointestinal upset, however since he reacts each time he eats it, it’s extra possible a difficulty with the meals itself reasonably than just the transition.
To maintain Codie comfy, I’d suggest stopping this meals instantly and returning to what he was consuming earlier than. In the event you nonetheless wish to supply selection, introduce new proteins step by step, separately, to see how he tolerates them. If vomiting persists even after switching again, it could be greatest to have him checked by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying circumstances. Preserving observe of which proteins or substances trigger a difficulty may also help information you towards the perfect weight loss program for him.
All the perfect,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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