Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry 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 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 can maintain your furry good friend comfortable and wholesome. Stay tuned for skilled steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog Is Changing Color!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
My 5-month-old miniature poodle Moxie was crimson with a white chest after I purchased him, however after two shampoos, his crimson coat has turned an nearly golden blonde coloration. Is this regular? Is there something I can payment or give him that can restore and preserve his crimson coat? Is there a particular shampoo I ought to use? Please assist!” – Madelyne
Hi Madelyne!
It feels like Moxie goes via a really regular coloration transition. Many red Poodles expertise coat fading or lightening as they mature, and this may occur fairly dramatically in some circumstances. Poodles carry genes that affect coat color change over time, usually resulting in shades of apricot, cream, and even silvering in some traces. This course of is named “clearing,” and whereas some reds keep wealthy and deep, others naturally fade it doesn’t matter what you do.
There’s no magic shampoo or complement that can utterly forestall this variation, because it’s primarily genetic. I’ve seen color-enhancing pet shampoo particularly formulated for crimson or apricot coats, which declare to revive crimson pigments with out using harsh chemical substances. In declare to assist intensify remaining pigment, however they gained’t reverse genetic fading. Unfortunately, I cannot suggest a particular product to you and I ought to warn you that their security has not been studied.
It is value mentioning the function of vitamin in coat well being. Ensuring Moxie is on a high-quality weight loss plan wealthy in omega-3 (such as those found in fish oil) and omega-6 fatty acids can improve the richness and shine of his coat.
Hope that helps!
Dr. Paola
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Help! My Dogs Can’t Seem to Get Along!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I’m the proprietor of two male long-haired chihuahuas (Walter and Tripp). They are litter mates. I received Tripp when he was 8 weeks previous and a couple of yr later I received Walter, who had been given to another person however that particular person had been neglecting and abusing him so my good friend took him again and requested if I may take him. It’s been 2 years now and he’s a really candy canine, however the issue is, my two canines battle consistently, growling at one another and typically they battle, biting and growling. They actually appear to hate one another. I can’t choose up one with out the opposite attempting to assault him. Is there one thing that I can do to cease this habits? They solely battle with one another they don’t battle with different canines. I dwell in a family with 4 different canines of various styles and sizes from a smaller Chihuahua to a big Doberman Pinscher and so they get together with all of them besides one another. Help please” – Wanda
Wanda, it feels like Walter and Tripp’s fights are attributable to unresolved stress, possible attributable to competitors, resource guarding, and Walter’s previous trauma. Since you’ve got clearly recognized that they get together with different canines however not one another, their relationship dynamic is the core problem. To prevent fights, keep away from conditions the place they really feel the necessity to compete—corresponding to choosing one up in entrance of the opposite, petting one, and even talking and watching one whereas not the opposite.
You can use child gates or crates when essential to create a protected house. It is essential to deal with reinforcing calm habits with high-value rewards which might be provided concurrently. Structured actions like parallel walks, feeding concurrently however at a protected distance, and managed play may also help rebuild their tolerance for one another.
Your coaching ought to deal with impulse management and reinforcing neutrality. Teaching cues like “leave it” and “place” will give them options to reacting aggressively. Ensure they obtain consideration solely when each are calm to stop jealousy. Since their aggression is restricted to one another, skilled steering from a behaviorist could assist if the fights persist. With consistency and construction, they will study to coexist extra peacefully, and in case you constantly get it proper, ultimately get alongside.
Help! What Flea Treatment Should I Use?
“Hello Dr. Paola!
We dwell in an space that’s infested with ticks and chiggers and wish to know which therapy could be finest for my Shichon, Chewie, my 10-pound pet. I’m feeding him principally uncooked meals and need him to remain wholesome. Thanks” – Lydia
Hey Lydia, I respect your belief in in search of steering on your canine’s care. Ticks and chiggers are exterior parasites that may transmit a number of illnesses to canines and people. Ticks are particularly harmful as they’re vectors of serious illnesses, chiggers (larval mites) primarily trigger intense itching and pores and skin irritation moderately than systemic infections. However, since we’re unable to ascertain a doctor-patient relationship via this house, I’m unable to suggest a particular therapy product, although we do have a listing of the top available ones here.
That mentioned, veterinary care is very individualized, and what works for one canine is probably not appropriate for one more. The finest plan of action is to seek the advice of a veterinarian who’s conversant in the species of ticks in your space and who can immediately consider your canine’s distinctive well being standing, medical historical past, and particular wants earlier than figuring out essentially the most acceptable therapy.
If you’re uncertain the place to begin, you too can schedule a name with one of our veterinarians at PangoVet, our tele-triage veterinary service, and so they may also help present basic steering on whether or not your canine’s situation requires pressing in-person care, to make sure your canine receives protected and efficient care.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Paola
