Ask Dr. Paola: Monday June 9, 2025

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry 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 mother or father or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your furry pal completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable selections and supply the very best care on your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! I Want Clippers For Large Canine!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

Are there nail clippers accessible for large canines with heavy black nails like Zakky & Blade which have sensors inbuilt to keep away from chopping into the short?”  – Dave

Hello Dave,

Sure, there are nail clippers designed for big canines like Zakky and Blade, that includes security mechanisms to assist stop chopping into the short, which is very helpful for dogs with thick, black nails the place the short isn’t seen. These clippers typically incorporate safety guards or LED lights to boost visibility and management throughout trimming.

Some trendy nail clippers mix a conventional clipper with a grinder and embody a security guard to assist stop over-cutting. Others characteristic a fast sensor and LED gentle to light up the nail, aiding in figuring out the secure chopping space. These instruments are designed to supply a safer trimming expertise, particularly for big breeds with darkish nails. When trimming your dog’s nails, it’s advisable to make small cuts and observe the nail’s cross-section for a grayish oval, indicating proximity to the short. It’s all the time an excellent concept to maintain some cauterizing powder useful in case you do unintentionally cut the nails too short they usually bleed. When you’re unsure or uncomfortable with the method, consulting knowledgeable groomer or veterinarian might be helpful. They’ll reveal correct methods and assist guarantee your canine’s consolation and security throughout nail trims.

Good luck!

– Dr. Paola

Assist! How Do I Deal With a Territorial Canine?

“My sister has a Shi-Poo canine, Luna. She’s 6 years outdated and has all the time been territorial and bites. I’m uninterested in my sister by no means having taught her pup to do something. She works all day, and her children have left for school. The canine is okay for about quarter-hour when being petted. Then it snaps and bites and assaults. How do I get it to cease since I don’t see the canine typically, however my sister refuses to do something about it? “ – Cassandra

Hello Cassandra,

I can hear your frustration, and it’s utterly legitimate. Residing with and even sometimes interacting with a canine that bites might be not solely disagreeable however harmful, particularly when the conduct feels preventable. Luna’s age, breed combine, and historical past all play a job in her present conduct, however what you’re describing sounds extra like she’s displaying indicators of stress, tactile sensitivity, or overstimulation reasonably than true aggression. Canine that “snap” after a couple of minutes of petting or when petting a sure space are sometimes sending refined indicators that they’ve had sufficient, or they’re in ache. But when these indicators go unnoticed, they escalate to biting as a final resort to make the interplay cease.

Since Luna doesn’t dwell with you and your sister isn’t taking motion, your choices are a bit restricted, however you may nonetheless defend your self and presumably enhance her conduct progressively. Attempt to keep away from any extended petting or shut contact until the canine initiates and clearly seeks it. You will need to make an effort to respect the boundaries by understanding her precursor indicators. Watch for signs like turning the top away, lip licking, yawning, or a stiffened physique. These are Luna’s well mannered methods of claiming “I want house.” When you can, cease petting her and transfer barely away to permit her to settle down, then redirect her focus onto one thing else that she enjoys. She is going to study that you’ll be able to respect her limits; you can even reward calm conduct with out bodily contact.

It’s additionally price mentioning that for her conduct to alter, everybody within the household must be on the identical boat and deal with her the identical approach. You would possibly need to have a chat along with your sister and level out that Luna’s conduct might worsen over time, and this type of biting may end up in severe harm or authorized points, particularly if it occurs to a customer or youngster. Typically, a mild reminder of the potential penalties is the nudge somebody wants to hunt assist.

This type of case could profit from a distant session with considered one of our licensed veterinarians at Pangovet. They’ll information your sister and supply a plan that works round her schedule. Whilst you could not be capable to practice Luna your self, encouraging small modifications and displaying them easy methods to get pleasure from respectful interactions can affect your sister and set a safer instance for others who go to. Thanks for reaching out!

– Dr. Paola

I Adopted a Malnourished Greyhound & Want Assist!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

Now we have just lately adopted a Greyhound referred to as Zimmi, who’s severely malnourished and remains to be in rehab earlier than we get her on Saturday. All of her medical checks got here again with a transparent invoice. She has been sterilized just lately and has had all her injections, dewormings, and Bravecto therapies. How can I help together with her weight acquire and her total progress?” – Natashja

Hello Natashja,

Thanks for opening your coronary heart to Zimmi. Greyhounds, particularly these coming from racing or neglectful backgrounds, typically arrive underweight and in want of each bodily and emotional rehabilitation. Since her medical checks got here again clear, that provides us a strong basis to construct upon. Supporting her restoration now entails a considerate steadiness of vitamin, routine, and endurance.

To assist Zimmi acquire weight safely, give attention to feeding a extremely digestible, calorie-dense weight loss plan that’s wealthy in animal protein and reasonable in fats. Keep away from speeding into overfeeding, as her digestive system is probably going nonetheless adapting. It’s typically useful to start out with smaller, extra frequent meals all through the day reasonably than giant parts suddenly.

Since you’re mentioning she is severely malnourished, I might advocate you ask the vet who carried out her medical checks if a prescription restoration weight loss plan can be needed, as they’re particularly formulated to help pets recovering from malnutrition, surgical procedure, or sickness. They’re usually energy-dense, extremely digestible, and enriched with high-quality animal protein, important fatty acids, and key micronutrients to advertise tissue restore, immune help, and wholesome weight acquire. Consider them as a dietary security web that helps the physique rebuild from the within out, with out overwhelming the digestive system. If the vet says no, then a high-quality pet food formulated for lively or working canines can work nicely. You may also need to contemplate including gently cooked, species-appropriate proteins like hen, turkey, or lean beef, together with omega-3-rich fish like sardines, which may help each muscle restoration and coat well being. Keep in mind that the objective is slow, steady recovery, not speedy growth. You may also communicate along with your veterinarian about incorporating a canine probiotic or digestive enzyme complement to enhance nutrient absorption, particularly given her current deworming and medical therapies.

Along with vitamin, light reconditioning of her muscle mass by means of brief, managed walks and calm enrichment actions will assist rebuild each her energy and her confidence. Greyhounds are sometimes extremely delicate and will take time to loosen up in a house setting. Protecting a constant, low-stress surroundings will go a good distance. So long as she continues to eat nicely, acquire weight slowly, and reveals indicators of elevated vitality and luxury, you’re heading in the right direction. I like to recommend documenting this with photographs, common weights, and, if potential, even measurements. This makes it simpler to judge actual progress. Nevertheless, if at any level she plateaus or regresses, a quick call with a vet at Pangovet might be useful to find out whether or not additional diagnostics or some changes to her vitamin plans are wanted. Thanks on your kindness in direction of Zimmi. You’re giving her an attractive second likelihood, and I believe that along with your love and care, she’ll flourish.

– Dr. Paola

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