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 you’re a brand new pet guardian 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may maintain your furry pal blissful and wholesome. Stay tuned for skilled steerage on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! I Want to Use Natural Remedies!
“ Hi Dr. Paola, I got here throughout your web page after I was on the lookout for pure options for my two canine. I actually just like the Dogster web site and I used to be simply questioning what you concentrate on that utilizing pure treatments to your pets earlier than utilizing prescription drugs. My oldest canine had a tooth get contaminated and we used an antibiotic for her which was such a blessing, however, I’m having a tough time realizing if I ought to attempt to go extra pure on the every day routines for preventative wellness, and for fundamental remedies, and save the fashionable remedies for bigger emergencies. My earlier vet was very judgmental about it and although I’ve discovered a extra impartial vet, I can’t get it out of my head. My present vet nonetheless appears somewhat biased although he’s rather more supportive. I simply wish to do what’s proper by my canine.” – Kapree (Mom to Kiki and Kingston)
Hi Kapree, it’s great to listen to how a lot care and thought you’re placing into Kiki and Kingston’s well being. Natural treatments can certainly be a useful software for supporting your canine’ well-being, notably in terms of preventative care and addressing minor issues. However, it’s important to do not forget that pure doesn’t at all times imply with out dangers. Some treatments may cause uncomfortable side effects or work together with different remedies, which is why it’s so essential to work with a skilled skilled. A holistic veterinarian can information you in selecting protected and efficient choices tailor-made particularly to your canine’ wants.
I believe it’s implausible that you just used antibiotics when your older canine wanted them to deal with the tooth infection. That’s a fantastic instance of how trendy medication generally is a true lifesaver. Many pet dad and mom, such as you, want to deal with pure approaches for every day care and reserve prescription drugs for pressing conditions. When completed thoughtfully, this strategy could be very efficient in sustaining a balanced, wholesome life-style to your pets.
I might encourage you to attach with a holistic veterinarian to help your objectives. These professionals are expert in integrating natural and conventional treatments, serving to you make the perfect selections for Kiki and Kingston. You can discover a holistic vet by way of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) web site, which provides a useful listing. You may also examine with native pet teams or different canine homeowners in your space who share an curiosity in pure care for extra suggestions.
At the tip of the day, an important factor is keeping your dogs happy and healthy. A holistic vet might help you navigate the choices whereas respecting your preferences and priorities. You’re doing an incredible job as their mother, and it’s clear they’re in very caring arms!
Best Wishes,
Paola
Help! My Dog Can Jump Our Fence!
“Recently, my canine realized he might soar over the fence in our yard. He solely does this at night time when he is aware of we aren’t watching. He doesn’t go far and comes again once we name him, however in need of constructing a better fence or by no means leaving him outside unsupervised, we will’t consider something to cease this habits. He’s a rescue that likes to roam. We’ve had him for 3 years and this solely began 3 weeks in the past. Help!” – Kacey
Kacey, you’re proper, being outside unsupervised is way from very best for a canine as there are a lot of risks and potential threats, plus you would possibly get into hassle along with your neighbors. The most secure choices can be to deliver your canine inside at night time or construct him a safe kennel in your yard. A canine that’s working uncontrolled on the street can be at a excessive danger of accident or getting misplaced.
If these aren’t potential, sadly, making your fence taller or safer might be the perfect answer. There are a number of various things you possibly can attempt to prevent your dog from climbing a fence, like including some shrubs or fence extenders. First, I like to recommend attempting a few of the fence dog-proofing methods.
Besides the common yard picket fences or chain hyperlink fences, simple-to-install customizable mesh fences are an possibility as effectively. Some different DIY projects could be completed with bamboo, branches, and so on. A taller bodily fence to comprise your canine inside ensures they continue to be safely the place you need them to be. Again, I might additionally contemplate bringing him inside at night time or making a canine kennel for him to be safely secured at night time.
You may additionally wish to contemplate the the explanation why your canine might have began to flee your yard. Sometimes canine will begin to roam if uncovered to sturdy organic stimuli, for instance, an intact male detecting a feminine in warmth. If your canine is undamaged, you might contemplate neutering him to take away this escape motivation. Or a canine with a excessive prey drive would possibly break the fence to go chase a squirrel. If you suppose your canine may be escaping out of boredom, guarantee that you’re offering loads of stimulation in the course of the day, like lengthy walks, play periods, and puzzles or different interactive toys. You can even wish to be sure that your canine has entry to loads of recent water and comfy bedding.
As you see, you do have a number of choices. I might suggest you first discover a option to make that fence taller, but additionally wished to elucidate different choices you would possibly come throughout.
Dr. Paola
Can I Make Bone Broth for My Sensitive Dog?
“Hi Dr Paola, I began making bone broth out of beef bones at residence from scratch. My canine LuLu has some allergic reactions and is on hydrolyzed meals Purina Pro Plan per our vet’s suggestion. I simply learn that gradual/lengthy cooking bone broth can add histamines to the bone broth. I’m at the moment cooking it for about two hours; is that this okay or ought to I shorten the prepare dinner time? Thank you to your assistance on this!
Hi! It’s great that you just’re placing a lot care into LuLu’s dietary wants. You’re appropriate that bone broth can accumulate histamines, particularly with lengthy cooking instances. Proteins within the bones and connective tissues break down into amino acids like histidine, which converts to histamine by way of a course of known as decarboxylation. Cooking the broth for about two hours, as you’re already doing, is an effective option to reduce histamine ranges in comparison with the normal 12–24-hour simmer. Using recent bones and freezing the broth instantly after cooking may assist cut back histamine formation.
Since LuLu is on a hydrolyzed protein diet, it’s essential to know which proteins trigger her immune system. If you’re uncertain about her particular allergens, I like to recommend skipping bone broth altogether as a result of the chance of a response outweighs the advantages. If you already know which proteins she tolerates, you might safely make bone broth utilizing bones from these sources. However, needless to say after histamine kinds, mast cells or basophils within the immune system retailer it in granules or launch it straight into tissues or circulation in response to particular triggers (allergens), which exacerbates the immune response indicators. In many instances, canine are triggered not solely by meals allergic reactions but additionally by environmental allergic reactions, so the bone broth may be doing extra unhealthy than good if in case you have not utterly recognized all of Lulu’s sensitivities and allergic reactions.
Good luck!
Dr. Paola
