Ask Dr. Paola – Coat Colors, Mistreatment & Licking (September 8, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey skilled 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 offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage 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 in your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Why Do Nearly All My Puppies Look Like Their Mom?

“Why is it that in my Labrador’s litter, there’s just one chocolate-colored pet like the daddy, and eight champagne-colored ones just like the mom, Maya– Yamile

Hello Yamile!

Coat coloration in Labrador retrievers is determined by a number of key genes that work collectively, nearly like switches being turned on or off. One essential gene, referred to as the B locus, controls whether or not pigment is black or brown (chocolate). One other, the E locus, decides if that pigment will really present. The chocolate father carries two copies of the brown gene (bb), so he can solely go on the directions for chocolate. The mom, who is healthier described as yellow quite than champagne, is genetically (ee). Yellow Labradors are distinctive as a result of this gene mixture masks the underlying coloration, which implies that though she seems to be yellow, she should still carry the hidden directions for chocolate.

If Maya is (eeBb) and the daddy is (eebb), the maths works out in order that about half the puppies needs to be yellow carrying chocolate, 1 / 4 yellow carrying two chocolate genes, and 1 / 4 chocolate. However when puppies are conceived, the combination they obtain is totally random, like shuffling and dealing playing cards from the identical deck. For this reason it’s completely regular for a litter to look totally different from the anticipated ratios. In your case, many of the puppies occurred to inherit the mix that makes them yellow like mother, whereas just one inherited the exact combine to show chocolate like dad. This variation is pure and a part of the fantastic thing about genetics in motion. Congratulations in your new puppies!

Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! I Assume My Niece Isn’t Caring for Her Canines Correctly!

“Hey Dr. Paola,

My niece is quickly dwelling with me and retains her 3 canine in her automotive outdoors with the AC on, like that’s good for them. I don’t assume that’s good for them. She says she loves them, so it’s okay. I feel love is caring for them correctly. What can I inform her in order that she’s going to know that she’s not loving them and must let another person look after them till she will be able to deal with herself? “ – James

Hello James,

You’re completely proper to be involved. Conserving canine in a automotive, even with the air-con operating, is just not a protected or wholesome dwelling scenario. Automobiles are confined areas that don’t present the enrichment, train, or psychological stimulation that canine want, and there’s additionally a critical danger that the air-con might fail. Research and veterinary pointers are very clear that even a couple of minutes in a automobile with out correct air flow can become dangerous. Past temperature, dwelling in a automotive means the canine lack house to maneuver freely, alternatives to work together with their setting, and the steadiness of a safe, clear, and predictable dwelling.

What you possibly can gently inform your niece is that actual love for animals means assembly their bodily and emotional wants, not simply holding them close by. Canines rely upon us for the whole lot, and a part of caring for them is making certain they’ve a protected setting, regular exercise, social interplay, and correct relaxation. Let her know that selecting temporary foster care, a trusted good friend, or a reputable shelter till she will be able to present for them once more doesn’t imply she loves them much less. In reality, making that call can be probably the most loving and accountable issues she might do for them, as a result of it places their well-being first. Thanks for reaching out, and I hope you possibly can assist these canine.

Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Continually Licks His Toes!

“Dexter is a 6-year-old Yorkie cross. He’s continually licking his toes. We’ve got tried to distract him, however he quickly goes again to doing it. Are you able to assist?” – Ruth

Hello Ruth,

Seeing Dexter repeatedly licking his paw will be puzzling, and there are a number of possible reasons behind it. Some canine develop this behavior as a approach of releasing stress or expressing pleasure, nearly like a fidget. In different circumstances, it could be linked to one thing bodily, equivalent to itchy pores and skin from allergic reactions, irritation between the toes, and even discomfort within the joints. When no medical trigger is discovered, the habits can typically grow to be a repetitive or compulsive motion {that a} canine returns to mechanically.

Because you point out he rapidly goes again to it even after being distracted, the very best subsequent step is to have him examined by a vet to rule out any bodily supply of irritation or ache. An intensive test of his pores and skin, paws, and mobility can present readability. As a result of allergies are probably the most frequent causes of persistent paw irritation, your veterinarian can also advocate allergy testing or a stepwise investigation into doable triggers equivalent to meals or environmental allergens. Figuring out and addressing the foundation trigger will give Dexter the very best likelihood of feeling snug, and if no medical subject is discovered, you possibly can give attention to managing it from a behavioral standpoint with enrichment and optimistic redirection. At this stage, a session with us at PangoVet will be very useful, as we are able to offer you tailor-made steerage on a behavioral plan and sensible tricks to assist Dexter at dwelling.

Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

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