Ask Dr. Paola- Help! Can Shock Collars Cause Seizures? (June 1, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry 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 offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care in your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! What Age Ought to I Get My Pet Spayed!

“I’m getting a cavapoo in a few months, she was born a number of days in the past and her title is Jade. What age ought to I get her spayed? Do you have got any recommendation for taking care of a model new pet?
Thanks a lot.”

– Maria

Hello Maria,
Congratulations on Jade! As , Cavapoos are a blended breed created from a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle, and one element that surprises many new homeowners is that Poodles are available in three sizes: Toy, Miniature, and Commonplace. The scale of the Poodle father or mother issues as a result of it influences how massive the puppies might turn into and the way rapidly their our bodies mature. Smaller canines typically end rising earlier, whereas bigger canines take longer for his or her bones and joints to totally develop. A Toy or Miniature Poodle combine might attain bodily maturity nearer to eight to 12 months, whereas bigger canines can proceed maturing nicely past a 12 months.

That distinction in progress is one cause veterinarians not advocate the same spay timing for each canine. In smaller breeds and smaller blended breeds like most Cavapoos, spaying round 6 to 12 months is often thought of applicable as a result of they have an inclination to mature quicker. Bigger canines usually profit from ready longer earlier than spaying as a result of hormones play a job in bone and joint growth throughout progress. Since Cavapoos can range relying on the dimensions of the Poodle father or mother, your veterinarian will probably assess Jade’s projected grownup measurement, progress sample, and total well being throughout her pet visits earlier than recommending the perfect timing. It’s a bit like how kids and youngsters don’t all hit progress milestones on the identical age, even inside the identical household.

Many vets advocate spaying between the primary and second seasons, also called ‘warmth’ or ‘estrus’. This manner, we all know that she has reached sexual maturity, and we’re additionally minimizing the dangers that include not being spayed. In fact, it is advisable to be further vigilant that no male canines can get to her throughout this time, and generally, the primary season isn’t very apparent, so look for signs like irritability, swelling of the vulva, licking between the again legs, and a bloody discharge.

For a first puppy, give attention to constructing confidence and routine from the start. Early constructive socialization is extremely necessary as a result of puppies are studying what’s protected and regular throughout these first months. Mild publicity to individuals, sounds, dealing with, grooming, automobile rides, and calm vaccinated canines may also help form a resilient grownup canine. Cavapoos are normally very social and conscious of reward-based training, so brief, pleased coaching classes work much better than punishment or harsh corrections. Consistency with sleep, potty breaks, chewing retailers, and preventive veterinary care will make the pet stage a lot smoother for each of you.

Greatest needs along with your new member of the family!

– Dr. Paola

If you would like actual time solutions to your questions, you’ll be able to discuss to certainly one of our veterinarians on-line. Click on on the picture or button under:

Assist! Can Shock Collars Trigger Seizures?

“Hello Dr. Paola,

My canine, George, had a seizure a few days in the past. It lasted 2 minutes. Can shock collars trigger seizures? “

– Ruth

Hello Ruth,

I’m sorry you and George went via that. Watching a seizure could be scary, and also you may really feel helpless, particularly the primary time. A seizure lasting round two minutes is taken into account vital, and even when George appears regular afterward, he ought to be examined by a veterinarian quickly as a result of seizures can have many possible causes, together with epilepsy, toxin publicity, metabolic illness, liver issues, neurologic circumstances, or different underlying sicknesses.

Though unlikely, {the electrical} exercise of the collar may set off a seizure IF your canine has a predisposing situation; it shouldn’t trigger a seizure in an in any other case wholesome canine. Nonetheless, these units can generate stress, worry, ache, and physiologic arousal in some canines, significantly delicate people. Stress doesn’t trigger seizure by itself, however in canines already predisposed to seizures, extremely demanding or aversive experiences might probably contribute to triggering an episode, very like how sleep deprivation or stress can decrease the edge for seizures in some individuals.

Additionally it is necessary to ensure what occurred was actually a seizure, as a result of sure painful or startling occasions could cause collapse or panic reactions which will resemble one. Given George’s historical past, I might strongly advocate discontinuing use of the shock collar and shifting towards positive reinforcement training methods, that are safer for each emotional welfare and studying.

If George has another seizure, attempt to time it, preserve him away from stairs or sharp objects, and keep away from placing your fingers close to his mouth.

Emergency care is really useful if:

a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
a number of seizures occur inside 24 hours
he doesn’t get well usually afterwards

A veterinary examination, together with bloodwork and an in depth historical past, is the most effective subsequent step to assist decide whether or not this was an remoted occasion or the start of a medical situation that wants remedy.

Sincerely,

– Dr. Paola

Assist! I Really feel Like I Am Being Ripped Off By My Vet!

“My sister’s canine’s treatment prices $90 from her vet. I discovered the equivalent treatment on-line for $41. The vet refuses to authorize the prescription exterior of the vet clinic. They declare they will’t management the validity of the prescription or expiration date exterior of the clinic.

My sister’s canine has been seeing the vet for 8 years. It looks as if a rip-off and they’re double dipping and making an enormous revenue off of the prescriptions. Can they do that? Is it a authorized requirement that every one prescription treatment be purchased on the vet?

My sister additionally stated they don’t put the tablets in a tablet bottle with prescription data. They only put them in a transparent ziplock bag. It doesn’t sound correct to me.”

– Pam

Hello Pam,

This does sound actually irritating. Veterinary prescribing legal guidelines can range relying on location – even between completely different states and provinces, so the reply partly is dependent upon the place your sister lives. Typically, although, veterinarians are allowed to promote medicines straight via their clinic and set their very own costs. Clinics usually cost greater than massive pharmacies as a result of treatment gross sales assist help the prices of working the apply, somewhat like how airport retailers cost greater than grocery shops for a similar bottle of water. It additionally covers the price of having the treatment accessible to be allotted instantly, as a result of if a drug expires on the shelf, the clinic has to soak up the price. That being stated, homeowners nonetheless have the proper to ask questions about prices and prescription choices.

Within the US, all states permit pet homeowners to request a written prescription to fill at an out of doors pharmacy, so long as there’s a legitimate veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and the treatment is suitable to prescribe. This normally signifies that the pet must have been bodily examined inside the previous 6-12 months, relying on the treatment and situation being handled. Veterinarians might have authentic causes to keep away from sure exterior pharmacies in particular conditions, particularly with compounded medication or managed medicines, however a blanket refusal for all exterior prescriptions will not be in compliance with present laws, and respected pharmacies routinely confirm prescriptions straight with veterinary clinics.

The packaging concern can also be value mentioning. Allotted prescription medicines are typically anticipated to have a correct label with the pet’s title, treatment title, dosage directions, prescribing veterinarian, and different figuring out data. A transparent plastic bag with out labeling wouldn’t sometimes meet customary allotting practices. In case your sister feels uncomfortable with the clinic’s coverage, it could be affordable for her to politely request the coverage in writing or contact the native veterinary licensing board or veterinary affiliation for clarification in regards to the guidelines the place she lives.

I hope this helps!

This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection

Trending Merchandise