Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 guardian or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry buddy blissful and wholesome. Stay tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog I Can’t Afford Vet Care!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
I actually don’t have the cash to look after my pet. My canine Goodie has a coronary heart murmur however medical bills are excessive, what can I do? I actually need assistance and I’m so scared for him.” – Uriah
I utterly perceive how overwhelming this example should really feel, Uriah. Loving a pet like Goodie means eager to do all the things doable to maintain him wholesome, however monetary boundaries could make that extremely traumatic. The excellent news is that there are nonetheless methods to get him the care he wants.
First, I like to recommend reaching out to native animal shelters, humane societies, or veterinary colleges. Many supply low-cost clinics or monetary help applications for pet house owners in troublesome conditions. Some veterinarians additionally supply fee plans or work with organizations like CareCredit, which supplies financing choices for medical bills. Additionally, nonprofit teams similar to The Pet Fund, RedRover, or The Brown Dog Foundation could supply grants or help for pets with medical situations like Goodie’s.
Since Goodie has a coronary heart murmur, his wants will depend upon the severity of the situation. Some murmurs are gentle and don’t require rapid therapy, whereas others want remedy to stop issues. If you haven’t already, ask a veterinarian if there are reasonably priced administration choices or life-style changes that would assist him keep comfy. Simple adjustments, like reducing stress and avoiding extreme exertion, can typically make a giant distinction. You’re doing the proper factor by searching for assist, and there are assets on the market that may help you. Stay sturdy for Goodie, he’s fortunate to have somebody who cares a lot about him!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Help! My Dogs Don’t Stop Barking!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
My canines Moseley, Rev, and Pickles bark incessantly, and it doesn’t matter what I say or do. They additionally howl collectively! They at all times begin barking once I get on the cellphone. When somebody involves the door. If somebody drives by on our lane. It might most definitely be worse cuz I’ve seen and heard, however how do I make it higher?” – Corinne
It appears like Moseley, Rev, and Pickles have developed a behavior of barking and howling collectively, probably reinforcing one another’s pleasure or alertness. Barking is a pure canine conduct, however when it turns into extreme, it’s typically a mixture of intuition, behavior, and discovered conduct. In their case, it appears to be triggered by exterior stimuli like folks passing by, guests on the door, and even your cellphone conversations. This suggests each territorial alert barking and attention-seeking conduct.
Since they don’t appear to reply to verbal corrections, they could not perceive what you need from them in these moments. Instead of attempting to cease the barking immediately, give attention to educating another conduct. For instance, you may train a dependable “quiet” cue by first rewarding them once they pause naturally after which steadily pairing it with a verbal command. If they bark when folks strategy, redirect their focus to a particular spot, like a mat or mattress, the place they are often rewarded for calm conduct. Practicing impulse management workouts, similar to “sit and stay” with distractions, will even assist.
For phone-triggered barking, they could have discovered that barking will get your consideration if you’re distracted. Try giving them a particular, long-lasting chew or meals puzzle earlier than you make a name, so that they affiliate your cellphone time with quiet engagement. Consistency is essential—if all three canines are reinforcing one another, coaching them individually first could also be needed earlier than bringing them collectively. With persistence and optimistic reinforcement, you may assist them channel their vitality into extra acceptable behaviors whereas nonetheless permitting them to precise themselves when it really issues.
Best needs,
Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Ingested Glass!
“Hi Dr. Paola,
Hazel threw up within the evening, which consisted of little shards of a Corningware glass that had cranberry sauce in it that broke. I instantly cleaned it up with paper towels, however the little scavenger she is obtained into the trash. Can I give her Pepto Bisol or one thing to assist her? There is not any blood.” – Suzie
Hi Suzie, I’m so sorry Hazel obtained into the trash and ingested glass. Even although she isn’t displaying any rapid regarding indicators like blood within the vomit, that is nonetheless a state of affairs that requires veterinary consideration. Ingesting glass could cause inner cuts or irritation in her mouth, esophagus, abdomen, or intestines, even when she appears fantastic proper now. The largest concern is that small shards might trigger inner injury as they transfer by her digestive system.
Pepto-Bismol is not really useful on this case, because it received’t shield in opposition to any potential inner damage and will masks indicators {that a} veterinarian must assess. Instead, it’s greatest to contact your veterinarian as quickly as doable. They could suggest an examination, X-rays, or feeding a bulk-forming food plan (similar to plain canned pumpkin or mushy bread) to assist cushion any remaining fragments. Keep a detailed eye on Hazel for indicators of discomfort, vomiting, lack of urge for food, or issue defecating, and keep away from giving any over-the-counter medicines until suggested by a vet. Since this might be an pressing state of affairs, a web based teletriage veterinary service like our personal service, PangoVet.com could also be useful to evaluate her danger stage if you happen to can’t get to a clinic instantly.
All the very best,
Dr. Paola
