Ask Dr. Paola- Anxiety-Chewing, Postpartum Panting & Spaying (July 14, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey professional 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 father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may maintain your furry pal comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canine Anxiously Chews!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

My rescue, Bonbin, is half Corgie and half Border Collie. She had nervousness chewing, which I used to be capable of redirect utilizing toys. I would like solutions to cease her obsessive licking of people. She’s going to begin at my hand and work her manner up my arm. She is about 3 or 4 years outdated and has failed a few placements. And no, I don’t have cows.

Assist! ”  – Nina

Hello Nina,

Thanks for giving Bonbin a second probability and making a protected area for her. Corgi and Border Collie mixes typically include a double serving to of intelligence and drive, which is great, however it may additionally tip into obsessive or compulsive behaviors, particularly when their psychological and bodily wants aren’t totally met. Obsessive licking of humans, as you’re describing, is usually rooted in nervousness, an absence of ample shops for vitality, and even realized attention-seeking behaviors. It may possibly shortly develop into self-reinforcing if not gently redirected.

Step one is to deal with the licking the identical manner you’ve efficiently managed the chewing: redirect it. When Bonbin begins licking, calmly take away your arm and provide her a job or habits incompatible with licking, akin to a “place” command on a mat, a meals puzzle, or a chew toy. Reinforce calm habits with reward or delicate, calming rewards. Utilizing these low-key rewards helps keep a relaxed state with out unintentionally encouraging overstimulation or anxious pleasure.

Since she’s a working combine, incorporating daily structured activities that problem each her thoughts and physique may be transformative. Consider quick obedience periods, scent video games, or herding-like outlets akin to a Treibball, a flirt pole, or “discover it” video games. Identical to a Border Collie with out sheep will discover one thing else to manage, Bonbin could also be turning to you as her “job.” The hot button is consistency and delicate redirection, paired with alternatives to have interaction in significant, structured duties every day.

If the licking appears actually compulsive or turns into tough to interrupt, particularly if it escalates when routines change or when she’s left alone, it could level to an underlying nervousness dysfunction. In such circumstances, medical help may develop into needed, however earlier than contemplating that step, it might be worthwhile to have a habits administration plan reviewed by an expert coach or veterinary behaviorist. Typically, a small change in our setup or communication model is sufficient to shift the sample.

Wishing you each continued progress
Dr. Paola

Assist! I Am Involved About My Canine Postpartum!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

My Shih Tzu, Abby, had a litter of six the primary time. Three of these died, and now she has just one pet. She does feed this one, however she additionally will get on the mattress and scratches it. Is something fallacious? She has water and meals, however nonetheless pants so much. Please assist! “ – Mark

Hello Mark,

Thanks for reaching out. Panting in a postpartum canine like Abby can have a number of potential causes, and whereas some panting may be regular within the early days after whelping, particularly attributable to hormonal shifts or the stress of nursing, persistent or extreme panting shouldn’t be ignored. It’s particularly regarding when mixed with restlessness, just like the mattress scratching you described. These indicators might point out discomfort, retained placental tissue, uterine an infection (metritis), low calcium ranges (eclampsia), and even early signs of mastitis, notably if her mammary glands really feel scorching, agency, or painful.

On condition that Abby has misplaced a number of puppies, it’s particularly essential to rule out any postpartum complications. Canine with metritis or eclampsia might proceed to care for his or her pups for a short time, which might delay recognition of their declining well being. A radical bodily examination, probably supported by bloodwork and imaging, is important to find out the reason for her panting and restlessness. As a result of this example includes a nursing dam and the chance of life-threatening problems, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian as quickly as doable. Her well-being and her pup’s survival rely on immediate and acceptable care.

Please don’t wait,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! We Are Uncertain About Spaying!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

Daisy, our Western Highland Terrier, is about 10 months outdated and has had her first warmth. My spouse is afraid that having her “fastened” will change her character. She is a really loving little canine, and my spouse loves that, and it might crush her to lose this.

Word: we had a rescue Western Highland Terrier who was 3 to five years outdated after we
received her, and she or he was NOT loving, though she was an excellent canine. ” – Loren

Hello Loren,

It’s fully comprehensible that your spouse feels protecting of Daisy’s candy nature, particularly after having had a distinct expertise with a earlier Westie. Issues that spaying may change a canine’s character are quite common, however they’re not sometimes supported by proof. The core temperament of a canine, notably traits like affection, social bonding, and attachment to members of the family, is formed far more by genetics, early socialization, and life experiences than by the presence or absence of reproductive hormones.

Spaying does take away estrogen and progesterone biking, however this often doesn’t lead to a shift from affectionate to aloof habits. Actually, many canine develop into extra relaxed and targeted over time, notably as they mature past the extreme hormonal fluctuations of adolescence. There isn’t a scientific proof displaying that spaying a loving canine makes her emotionally distant. What can occur is a brief adjustment interval post-surgery, throughout which your canine could also be quieter or barely off-routine whereas therapeutic, simply as an individual is likely to be after any main medical process or surgical procedure.

Delaying the spay till after the primary warmth, as you’ve achieved, is definitely in line with newer suggestions for some breeds and sizes, and at ten months, Daisy is sufficiently old to deal with anesthesia and restoration nicely. In case your spouse’s concern is rooted in grief or fear about dropping the bond she cherishes, it could assist to remind her that Daisy’s loving nature is who she is, not a product of her hormones. Continuing with a pre-surgical examination and discussing any particular behavioral observations along with your vet may also reassure you each that the choice is being made thoughtfully and with Daisy’s lifelong well-being in thoughts.

Greatest,

Dr.Paola

The publish Ask Dr. Paola- Anxiety-Chewing, Postpartum Panting & Spaying (July 14, 2025) by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You might not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they don’t seem to be thought of public area. Nonetheless, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would adore it should you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Dogster.com.

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