Ask Dr. Paola – Diet, Vulvoplasty & Aggression (December 1, 2025)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 mum or dad 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that can maintain your furry buddy joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

I Want Assist with My Canine’s Weight loss program!

“Hello Dr. Paola!

Can my canine, Oliver, keep on hydrolyzed pet food for his entire life?“– Carole

Hello Carole,

Sure, most canine can safely stay on a hydrolyzed protein diet for all times when it has been prescribed for a confirmed or strongly suspected meals allergy. A hydrolyzed weight-reduction plan is solely a therapeutic meals through which the proteins have been damaged down into very small fragments by means of a managed enzymatic course of. When protein molecules are diminished to those tiny models, the immune system is much much less more likely to acknowledge them as allergens. It’s just like taking a big puzzle aside into items so small that the physique can not establish the unique image. This makes hydrolyzed diets extremely efficient for managing confirmed or strongly suspected adversarial meals reactions.

These diets are full and balanced, so canine like Oliver can safely eat them long run when wanted. They meet all dietary necessities for grownup upkeep and are designed to help wholesome digestion and pores and skin. Many canine stay on hydrolyzed food for years with a superb high quality of life. So long as Oliver maintains a gradual weight, has a wholesome coat, and exhibits regular digestive and pores and skin indicators, he can proceed this weight-reduction plan all through his life. If any modifications seem, a veterinary analysis ensures the weight-reduction plan continues to satisfy his dietary and medical wants.

Type regards,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Has a Recessed Vulva!

“Ella has a recessed vulva. The vet that found it sedated her and pulled it out, leaving her bruised and uncomfortable. Sadly, the vulva has retracted once more, and I’m reluctant to take her to a different vet. How severe is a recessed vulva? I clear that space each day with antimicrobial and antifungal wipes.“ – Sandy

Hello Sandy,

A recessed vulva can predispose a canine to recurrent pores and skin fold infections and generally urinary tract irritation as a result of the pure moisture and restricted airflow in that tucked space create a perfect atmosphere for yeast and micro organism. This anatomical conformation is a danger issue fairly than an emergency. The situation itself is just not life-threatening, however it may possibly change into uncomfortable if infections develop, so light ongoing care is necessary. Your each day cleansing helps scale back particles and floor microbes, though it can not absolutely stop deeper irritation if the pores and skin stays chronically folded.

The examination Ella beforehand skilled sounds distressing, and it’s comprehensible that you simply really feel hesitant. A typical analysis mustn’t require forceful manipulation or depart bruising. Most canine might be assessed with a relaxed hands-on examination, and sedation is often reserved for circumstances the place the canine is extraordinarily anxious or painful. When recurrent infections or urinary signs start to seem regardless of cautious hygiene, a vulvoplasty, additionally known as episioplasty, must be thought-about. This process removes extra pores and skin so the vulva sits in a extra pure, uncovered place, decreasing moisture accumulation and enhancing long-term consolation. If Ella stays snug and her pores and skin stays wholesome, the situation is just not pressing. If redness, odor, or repeated infections happen, then a veterinary go to is necessary so therapy choices might be primarily based on her scientific indicators and examination findings.

Good luck,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Was Aggressive In the direction of a Pet!

“Right now, a buddy of mine introduced her pet over, however my 3‑yr‑previous Beagle canine didn’t actually like that pet when it bought near him. My canine Eddie tried to chew the canine! Fortunately, he didn’t get him, but it surely was shut, and we needed to separate them. He’s been round canine many occasions and by no means executed this earlier than. What might be the difficulty?”  – Pat

Hello Pat,

Canine typically react in another way to puppies as a result of their conduct might be unpredictable and really high energy, which might really feel intrusive to an grownup canine that values private house. Even well-socialized canine could right or snap at a pet that rushes towards them too rapidly. That is very similar to the best way an grownup canine gives a fast reminder to a teenager that private house issues, and {that a} small correction can flip right into a stronger response when the grownup feels crowded or unable to maneuver away. Stressors comparable to fatigue, ache, resource guarding, or a latest damaging expertise may decrease a canine’s tolerance, so it’s value looking forward to any delicate modifications in your Beagle’s consolation or mobility which may have influenced his response.

Eddie’s historical past of pleasant interactions is reassuring, and a single incident doesn’t essentially point out a severe conduct downside. It does imply he wants extra controlled introductions with puppies, with house to maneuver away and time to look at at a cushty tempo. Many grownup canine choose calm, well mannered greetings fairly than sudden shut contact, and guiding the interplay may help stop one other shut name. Should you discover repeated stress with different canine or any modifications that counsel discomfort, a veterinary examination or a licensed coach skilled in constructive reinforcement strategies may help assess whether or not ache, stress, or concern contributed to his response. I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

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