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 or not 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 diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Keep 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 on your canine companion. Have a query? Ship it in right here! 
Assist! My Canine has Degenerative Myelopathy
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
Dallas was recognized with Degenerative myelopathy virtually a yr in the past. He’s actually beginning to wrestle together with his again legs, and he’s falling loads. What can I do to assist him?” – Barbara
Hello Barbara,
Thanks 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 vivid and engaged. It’s extremely troublesome watching a beloved good friend trapped in a physique that’s not cooperating. The excellent news is that there are methods you possibly can help Dallas’s high quality of life and assist him stay snug and lively for so long as potential.
At this stage, when weak point and falls grow to be extra frequent, assistive units could make a major distinction. A well-fitted rear help harness means that you can assist Dallas stroll with extra stability particularly when going outdoors for toileting or navigating slippery flooring. Some canine 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 tasks a attempt.
Inside the home, yoga mats or rubber runners can create secure paths that decrease slipping. Bodily remedy or hydrotherapy can assist keep muscle tone, help circulation, and decelerate additional decline, virtually like physiotherapy for people with spinal points.
Though there’s no remedy for DM, the purpose now’s to protect consolation and dignity. You may also contemplate working with a veterinarian who provides integrative care, together with acupuncture or laser remedy, as some canine discover these therapies useful in sustaining energy and luxury. In the event you’re ever unsure about the best way to greatest help Dallas each day, a tele-triage session can assist information selections with out requiring a visit to the clinic, particularly if mobility is proscribed. You’re clearly doing every thing you possibly can to make his days brighter, and that love and your help and presence imply extra to him than something. Thanks for being a loving pet guardian!
Sincerely,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Canines’ Meals Has Been Recalled!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
I’ve been shopping for Carna4 pet food for some time for my canine Emmy and Tazie from a Vendor in PA and just lately off Amazon. Nobody notified us that the merchandise had been recalled. That isn’t proper, we’ve been feeding our canine this pet food together with their home-cooked meal.
What are the well being risks we now want to pay attention to? Whose accountability is it to inform consumers when risks exist in any “wholesome” meals made for people and our expensive fur infants? Ought to I throw out our newest bag of Duck, Liver, Eggs, and Sprouted Seeds? We dwell in a purchaser beware world; I didn’t see this coming! “ – Donna
Hello Donna,
I utterly perceive your frustration and concern once we select a commercially out there pet food, we anticipate transparency and security, particularly in terms of our canine’ well-being. Emmy and Tazie are fortunate to have somebody so proactive and tuned into their care.
To my information, Carna4 has by no means had a recall, and none have been reported by the FDA. That stated, for those who heard this from a dependable supply, it’s essential to find out precisely why the product was pulled. Some recollects are precautionary, corresponding to minor high quality issues, whereas others are based mostly on confirmed dangers on account of potential contamination (like Salmonella or mildew) and with confirmed circumstances. The latter ones require instant motion, like pulling them off the cabinets.
Generally, recollects are issued by coordination with the FDA, and producers are anticipated to inform retailers, distributors, and, ideally, the general public. Sadly, not all on-line retailers or third-party sellers are diligent in passing that info alongside, which may depart pet mother and father at midnight. When a recall is introduced, notably 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 corresponding to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or urge for food modifications. Even when Emmy and Tazie appear superb, 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 accountability, 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 all the time most secure to err on the aspect of warning and discontinue the meals till you’ve verified that the batch will not be included within the recall. I encourage you to report any issues on to the FDA’s pet meals grievance portal—they do take shopper studies critically, and your voice helps advocate not simply on your canine however for others too. By the best way, do you know that Dogster sends official recall alerts to your e-mail? You’ll be able to enroll, and you’ll get an e-mail every time a canine’s meals has a recall issued. I hope this helps!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Obsessively Licks His Paws!
“Hello Dr. Paola,
My canine Morty obsessively licks his paws and me, particularly my fingers, arms, legs, and ft. He appears upset once I inform him to cease. Is that this anxiousness? Ought to I make him cease or simply let him do it? “ – Heather
Hello Heather,
Thanks for sharing this about Morty. It feels like he’s a really affectionate soul, however I perceive how the fixed licking can increase questions and even grow to be overwhelming at occasions. When canine repeatedly lick their paws or their people, it’s usually 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, much like how some individuals chew their nails when anxious. If Morty appears distressed once you interrupt him, anxiousness might actually be taking part in a job. Separation-related stress, boredom, or perhaps a historical past of reinforcement (the place the licking could have as soon as been rewarded with consideration can all contribute. Nevertheless, it’s additionally essential to rule out bodily causes. Paw licking, specifically, could stem from allergy symptoms, irritation, or discomfort. Canines with environmental allergy symptoms usually present indicators by their pores and skin and paws, and in some circumstances, it turns into a cycle: itch results in licking, which ends up in extra irritation. If his paws look crimson, swollen, or stained from saliva, it’s price having your veterinarian study him.
Reasonably than scolding him, which may create confusion or add to emphasize, attempt redirecting his power 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 classes that use optimistic reinforcement. You’re proper to pause and ponder whether to permit the conduct or not, and the very best path ahead is normally one in every of compassionate redirection. If anxiousness is suspected however not excessive, a session by a tele-triage service can assist information you on easy, supportive interventions earlier than transferring on to a full behavioral seek the advice of. You’re already doing proper by Morty by observing and asking the appropriate questions; typically our canine talk in licks what they will’t say in phrases. Good luck!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
