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 mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Stay tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care in your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! Will My Dog Ever Regain His Eyesight?
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Could my canine regain his sight after going blind? Is there any therapy that may assist him?” – Geraldine (Chance’s Mom)
Hi Geraldine,
I’m so sorry to listen to about Chance’s imaginative and prescient loss. Whether his sight may be restored will depend on the underlying trigger, which a veterinary ophthalmologist can decide by way of an in depth analysis. This might embrace inspecting the attention buildings with a slit lamp, measuring intraocular stress to rule out glaucoma, and performing an electroretinogram to evaluate retinal perform. Some causes, like cataracts, are treatable with surgical procedure to interchange the clouded lens and restore imaginative and prescient. However, circumstances comparable to progressive retinal atrophy or sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) end in everlasting imaginative and prescient loss. SARDS, specifically, causes a fast and irreversible lack of retinal perform, which means Chance’s blindness would, sadly, be everlasting.
If his imaginative and prescient can’t be restored, you possibly can help him adapt and thrive with a couple of coaching and environmental changes. Since Chance can nonetheless hear, combining vocal and tactile cues is a wonderful solution to information him. For instance, a mild faucet on his left or proper shoulder paired with “left” or “proper” may help him navigate turns. A contact on his chest or again with the phrase “cease” can sign him to halt, whereas tapping his entrance paw and saying “stairs” can warn him about steps. Consistent reinforcement of those cues will assist him really feel extra assured and safe.
Additionally, making his atmosphere secure and predictable is essential. Keeping his dwelling house constant, utilizing textured rugs close to doorways or on the high and backside of stairs, and clearing obstacles from his paths could make it simpler for him to navigate independently. Blind canine adapt remarkably nicely with love, endurance, and considerate adjustments. So know that whatever the final result, Chance has a excessive likelihood to adapt fantastically and proceed to thrive. You’re giving him your care and help, and that’s what issues most.
Best needs,
Dr. Paola
To discuss to a vet on-line now, click on on the picture or button beneath:
Help! I Am Worried About My Dog Post-Op!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
After a canine is neutered, are there any lasting unwanted side effects of the anesthesia after it wears off?” – Anthony (Bam Bam’s Dad)
Hi Anthony,
It’s nice that you just’re staying knowledgeable about Bam Bam’s care. After a canine is neutered, many of the results of the anesthesia will put on off inside a couple of hours, nevertheless it’s not unusual for canine to expertise some delicate, short-term unwanted side effects as they recover. These can embrace slight grogginess, disorientation, nausea or vomiting, and even chills and a little bit of shivering for as much as 24 hours. Some canine might also appear just a little wobbly or have a decreased urge for food, which is regular as their physique processes the anesthesia.
Long-term side effects from anesthesia itself are uncommon, as trendy anesthetics are very secure and well-tolerated by most canine. However, it’s at all times a good suggestion to observe a canine for any indicators of extended lethargy, persistent vomiting, or uncommon behaviors, as these could indicate a reaction or another issue. If you’ve gotten any issues, reaching out to your veterinarian and even using a web based veterinary session can present skilled steerage and assist decide if an in-person go to is critical. With relaxation, care, and loads of love, Bam Bam ought to bounce again shortly and be his playful self once more quickly!
Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Is Having Seizures!
“Hello Dr. Paola!
I’ve a 1.5-year-old full-blooded Siberian husky who began having seizures about 4-5 months in the past. My vet did a full blood panel and every part was regular. He put him on anticonvulsants, and when Roscoe nonetheless had seizures he upped the dosage. He has had a complete of 5 seizures, two of which have been when he wasn’t on any form of treatment, two when he was on 1 x 100mg twice/day, and simply had the opposite one at the moment and he’s been on 2 x 100mg caps twice a day for about 3 weeks now. I do know the anticonvulsants don’t utterly take seizures away, however my query is, are all anticonvulsants the identical in the best way they deal with seizures? Or are there some that act in another way? Should I ask my vet to strive a unique treatment? He is presently taking Zonisamide. My vet did say that it might be one thing extra critical like a mind tumor, however we haven’t but achieved an MRI of his mind. I bought Roscoe when he was about 6 months previous from a girl that was rehoming him, I used to be the fourth particular person to have this canine, so I’m undecided if he had any seizures previous to me getting him assist. I can’t preserve watching my canine have seizures, it breaks my coronary heart!!!!” – Amanda
Hi Amanda
Thank you for reaching out about Roscoe. I can solely think about how distressing it should be to see him undergo seizures, however your dedication to understanding his situation and exploring the perfect take care of him is actually admirable. While I can’t present particular medical recommendation for Roscoe, I’m pleased to share some normal details about anticonvulsants, seizure administration, and Siberian Huskies that may assist information your discussions together with your veterinarian.
Anticonvulsants like Zonisamide are used to scale back the frequency and severity of seizures, however they might not at all times remove them solely. These drugs work in numerous methods, and so they’re not all the identical. Zonisamide stabilizes neuronal exercise, whereas others, comparable to Phenobarbital or Levetiracetam, goal completely different pathways within the mind. For canine whose seizures aren’t fully controlled on one treatment, veterinarians generally introduce a second anticonvulsant to enhance the primary. Seizure management is highly individualized, and therapy plans usually evolve as veterinarians tailor the strategy to every canine’s response and distinctive circumstances. Your veterinarian’s changes to Roscoe’s dosage are, subsequently, a mirrored image of his or her good administration of the case.
It is necessary to think about that Siberian Huskies, have a known genetic predisposition to recurrent seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure dysfunction with no identifiable trigger. This situation sometimes seems in canine between six months and 6 years of age. However, seizures in Huskies can be triggered by other factors, together with structural points within the mind, metabolic imbalances, and even environmental stressors. This makes diagnostic testing, such because the bloodwork your vet has already carried out, a vital first step. If your vet is contemplating the potential for underlying circumstances, like a mind tumor, he may also request additional diagnostic checks, comparable to an MRI.
Amanda, please remember that your observations are extremely important in serving to your vet tailor and regulate Roscoe’s therapy plan. Keep a log with all of the necessary info, and ask your vet for steerage about what to incorporate there. And thanks for not giving up on Roscoe!
Wishing you and Roscoe all the perfect!
Dr. Paola
