Ask Dr. Paola – Fireworks, Poop Eating & Hair Loss (January 5, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 dad or mum 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 supply insights that may preserve your furry buddy joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

How Can I Assist My Canine After Being Uncovered to Loud Noises?

“What can we do to help our golden Buddy when he’s uncovered to firecrackers and thunderstorms? He’s eight years previous and good as a whip and twice as pleasant, however loud noises destroy his day or night time. Thanks.”
– Jim

Expensive Jim,

Thanks for sharing Buddy’s expertise. Noise sensitivities typically behave very like a well-worn path within the mind; every scary occasion deepens that path, so our purpose is to softly information Buddy towards a calmer emotional route. A structured desensitization and counterconditioning plan makes use of recorded thunder or fireworks at a quantity so mushy it barely registers. For instance, you would possibly play the sound whereas your golden enjoys an exercise he associates with consolation, comparable to calmly chewing a long-lasting deal with or working towards a favourite cue. Over a number of classes, the amount is raised solely when he stays relaxed. This strategy has robust help in veterinary conduct literature as a result of it helps canines affiliate once-alarming noises with one thing nice slightly than one thing threatening. Throughout actual storms or predictable holidays, canine ear protection will be added to melt the depth of the sound and provides him an additional layer of safety.

Environmental administration can be vital to create a way of security. A well-known room, mild music, pheromone analogs, pressure garments, AKA anxiety vests, and your quiet presence will help him course of the expertise with much less concern, very like a baby settles sooner when held by somebody they belief. When noise occasions are anticipated to be extreme, comparable to around festivities, your veterinarian can consider whether or not short-acting anxiolytic treatment is acceptable, which analysis exhibits can considerably enhance the success of conduct remedy. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Eats Poop!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

Why does Bobby prefer to eat canine poop? His personal, different canines, he simply loves it. We don’t let him eat it, however he tries so exhausting. He’s a Fox Terrier. “ – Luke

Hello Luke,

That is irritating, but when it helps, you aren’t alone. Coprophagia is definitely fairly frequent in terriers, particularly these with excessive curiosity and powerful pure foraging instincts. For a lot of canines, the conduct begins as easy exploration, then turns into a behavior as a result of the act itself feels rewarding. Some people are additionally drawn to stool when their weight-reduction plan leaves extra undigested materials within the feces, though true medical causes are a lot much less frequent. If Bobby’s weight, urge for food, and stool high quality are regular, the conduct is normally rooted in intuition slightly than sickness.

Managing the surroundings is the simplest first step as a result of it removes the prospect for the behavior to proceed. Prompt cleanup within the yard and shut supervision during walks preserve him from rehearsing the conduct. Giving him alternatives to make use of his terrier mind by way of scent video games or puzzle feeders can redirect that very same curiosity towards one thing extra applicable. When he notices feces, calmly guiding him away and rewarding the selection teaches him a brand new sample of conduct. For those who need assistance with step-by-step directions on scent recreation coaching, at Pangovet, we will help you create a customized plan for Bobby.

Greatest,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine is Dropping Hair!

“My Border Collie misplaced hair after being placed on Apoquel for allergy symptoms. He’s on Zenralia now, and the itchiness is managed, and hair is rising again—however solely the white patches, not the black spots. Vet says give it time, however I really feel like one thing’s off. Is that this regular? And is there something I can do to assist?
 ”  – Mandy

Hey Mandy,

I perceive this may appear complicated, however your vet is true. Coat recovery after important itching hardly ever occurs evenly, and the sample you might be describing is definitely fairly frequent in canines with robust colour distinction. White hairs comprise little or no pigment, so these follicles typically resume development extra shortly as soon as the pores and skin turns into calm once more. The black hairs require extra pigment manufacturing and an extended return to their lively development stage, so they have an inclination to lag behind. This will create the impression that one thing is fallacious even when the pores and skin is therapeutic usually. Don’t fear, Apoquel shouldn’t be related to selective lack of darkish hair, so the uneven regrowth seemingly displays the pure restoration course of slightly than an antagonistic response to the treatment.

If his itch is managed on Zenralia and the pores and skin seems wholesome, any longer, persistence actually turns into an vital a part of the therapy. Supporting the pores and skin barrier with balanced vitamin, omega-3 fatty acids, and delicate grooming will help the follicles regain their regular rhythm.

If the darker areas fail to get better over the subsequent few months or new thinning seems, your veterinarian can verify for different potential causes, comparable to thyroid imbalance or persistent irritation. If any new modifications make you unsure, at Pangovet, we might be joyful to information you thru the subsequent finest steps that will help you assist Milo.

Type regards,

– Dr. Paola

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