Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether 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 vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may hold your furry pal blissful and wholesome. Stay tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog has Degenerative Myelopathy
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Dallas was recognized with Degenerative myelopathy virtually a 12 months in the past. He is admittedly beginning to battle along with his again legs, and he’s falling rather a lot. What can I do to assist him?” – Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for reaching out and for caring so deeply for Dallas. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is such a heartbreaking situation to witness, because it slowly chips away at a canine’s mobility whereas they continue to be mentally vibrant and engaged. It’s extremely troublesome watching a beloved pal trapped in a physique that’s now not cooperating. The excellent news is that there are methods you may help Dallas’s high quality of life and assist him stay snug and energetic for so long as doable.
At this stage, when weak point and falls develop into extra frequent, assistive gadgets could make a big distinction. A well-fitted rear support harness permits you to assist Dallas stroll with extra stability particularly when going outdoors for toileting or navigating slippery flooring. Some canines additionally profit from utilizing a wheelchair or cart, which helps take the burden off their hind finish and permits them to proceed exploring their world with a little bit of independence. You may give a few of these DIY wheelchair projects a attempt.
Inside the home, yoga mats or rubber runners can create protected paths that reduce slipping. Physical remedy or hydrotherapy will help keep muscle tone, help circulation, and decelerate additional decline, virtually like physiotherapy for people with spinal points.
Although there’s no remedy for DM, the objective now could be to protect consolation and dignity. You may additionally contemplate working with a veterinarian who affords integrative care, together with acupuncture or laser therapy, as some canines discover these therapies useful in sustaining power and luxury. If you’re ever unsure about how one can greatest help Dallas day after day, a tele-triage consultation will help information choices with out requiring a visit to the clinic, particularly if mobility is proscribed. You’re clearly doing all the pieces you may to make his days brighter, and that love and your help and presence imply extra to him than something. Thank you for being a loving pet mum or dad!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Help! My Dogs’ Food Has Been Recalled!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
I’ve been shopping for Carna4 pet food for some time for my canines Emmy and Tazie from a Seller in PA and lately off Amazon. No one notified us that the merchandise have been recalled. That shouldn’t be proper, now we have been feeding our canines this pet food together with their home-cooked meal.
What are the well being risks we now want to pay attention to? Whose duty is it to inform consumers when risks exist in any “wholesome” meals made for people and our expensive fur infants? Should I throw out our newest bag of Duck, Liver, Eggs, and Sprouted Seeds? We stay in a purchaser beware world; I didn’t see this coming! “ – Donna
Hi Donna,
I utterly perceive your frustration and concern after we select a commercially accessible pet food, we count on transparency and security, particularly relating to our canines’ well-being. Emmy and Tazie are fortunate to have somebody so proactive and tuned into their care.
To my data, Carna4 has by no means had a recall, and none have been reported by the FDA. That stated, when you heard this from a dependable supply, it’s vital to find out precisely why the product was pulled. Some recollects are precautionary, comparable to minor high quality issues, whereas others are primarily based on confirmed dangers as a result of potential contamination (like Salmonella or mold) and with confirmed circumstances. The latter ones require speedy motion, like pulling them off the cabinets.
In common, recollects are issued by coordination with the FDA, and producers are anticipated to inform retailers, distributors, and, ideally, the general public. Unfortunately, not all on-line retailers or third-party sellers are diligent in passing that data alongside, which might depart pet dad and mom at nighttime. When a recall is introduced, significantly if there’s any danger of sickness, it’s most secure to cease feeding the affected product instantly and monitor your pets for any uncommon indicators comparable to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or urge for food modifications. Even if Emmy and Tazie appear effective, it’s a good suggestion to inform your veterinarian and hold the packaging or batch quantity useful in case follow-up testing is required.
As for duty, each the producer and the vendor share the moral obligation to inform customers, however the actuality is, particularly in a web-based market, that follow-through is usually inconsistent. In circumstances like this, it’s at all times most secure to err on the aspect of warning and discontinue the meals till you’ve verified that the batch shouldn’t be included within the recall. I encourage you to report any issues on to the FDA’s pet meals criticism portal—they do take shopper stories critically, and your voice helps advocate not simply to your canines however for others too. By the way in which, do you know that Dogster sends official recall alerts to your e-mail? You can join, and you’re going to get an e-mail at any time when a canine’s meals has a recall issued. I hope this helps!
Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Obsessively Licks His Paws!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
My canine Morty obsessively licks his paws and me, particularly my palms, arms, legs, and toes. He appears upset once I inform him to cease. Is this nervousness? Should I make him cease or simply let him do it? “ – Heather
Hi Heather,
Thank you for sharing this about Morty. It seems like he’s a really affectionate soul, however I perceive how the fixed licking can elevate questions and even develop into overwhelming at occasions. When canines repeatedly lick their paws or their humans, it’s typically extra than simply grooming or affection, it may be an indication of an underlying emotional or bodily want.
Licking can function a self-soothing conduct, just like how some folks chew their nails when anxious. If Morty appears distressed once you interrupt him, anxiety might definitely be enjoying a job. Separation-related stress, boredom, or perhaps a historical past of reinforcement (the place the licking might have as soon as been rewarded with consideration can all contribute. However, it’s additionally vital to rule out bodily causes. Paw licking, specifically, might stem from allergy symptoms, irritation, or discomfort. Dogs with environmental allergies typically present indicators by their pores and skin and paws, and in some circumstances, it turns into a cycle: itch results in licking, which results in extra irritation. If his paws look pink, swollen, or stained from saliva, it’s value having your veterinarian look at him.
Rather than scolding him, which might create confusion or add to emphasize, attempt redirecting his vitality in ways in which meet his emotional and bodily wants; for instance, give him a puzzle toy, a frozen lick mat, or interact him in calm coaching periods that use constructive reinforcement. You’re proper to pause and ponder whether to permit the conduct or not, and the perfect path ahead is often considered one of compassionate redirection. If nervousness is suspected however not excessive, a session by a tele-triage service will help information you on easy, supportive interventions earlier than shifting on to a full behavioral seek the advice of. You’re already doing proper by Morty by observing and asking the precise questions; typically our canines talk in licks what they’ll’t say in phrases. Good luck!
Dr. Paola
