Ask Dr. Paola: Monday May 5, 2025

The submit Ask Dr. Paola: Monday May 5, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought of public area. Nevertheless, we admire that you simply just like the article and would adore it if you happen to continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Dogster.com.

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable 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 offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may preserve your furry good friend comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! I By no means Brush My Canines Tooth!

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

I’m embarrassed to confess that I’ve by no means had Maxwell’s tooth professionally cleaned, and I’ve solely brushed them sometimes. After I did attempt, his gums would bleed, which made me hesitant to proceed. As an alternative, I relied on a pure powder that you simply sprinkle on meals day by day, hoping it might assist preserve his oral well being.
A few 12 months in the past, I observed that one in every of Maxwell’s again tooth was free. The vet really helpful extracting it, and I assumed it might be the right alternative to lastly schedule a full dental cleansing. Sadly, I saved suspending it as a result of the estimated price was near $1,000, which felt daunting on the time.
Now I’ve found that a few of Maxwell’s entrance tooth are additionally free, and I really feel just like the worst doggie mother. I’m taking him to the vet quickly, however I’m scared to listen to how far issues have progressed. I’m assuming it’s gum illness, and the thought that he is perhaps in ache breaks my coronary heart.
We’ve been with the identical veterinary follow since Maxwell was simply eight weeks previous, stepping into for each wellness and sick visits. His tooth have been all the time stated to look fairly good, and I even keep in mind one of many vets mentioning that brushing wasn’t actually vital.
Wanting again, I believe it’s honest to say that my lack of information about dental care could have price Maxwell his tooth. I’m praying he’ll be okay, and I really hope that by sharing our story, another person is perhaps inspired to take motion earlier and assist their pet keep away from the identical destiny.” –  Rhonda

Expensive Rhonda,

Whereas there isn’t a particular query to reply right here, I really feel there’s a nice alternative to boost consciousness about dental well being by sharing your and Maxwell’s story in our weekly area. Rhonda’s honesty highlights one thing many loving pet mother and father expertise: the quiet development of dental illness.

Maxwell’s indicators, like bleeding gums throughout brushing and free tooth, level to periodontal disease, which frequently progresses silently, with out apparent warning. It’s necessary to grasp that this doesn’t replicate a scarcity of affection or care. Actually, many canines present little to no indicators of discomfort till the illness is kind of superior, making it simple to overlook till extra noticeable modifications seem. My veterinary dentist colleagues agree that prevention is vital, and as you may see, the story shared is that you simply brushed Maxwell’s tooth sometimes, nevertheless, that is one thing that must be carried out commonly.

The emotional weight you carry is one thing many pet mother and father can relate to, however what really issues is what you’re doing now. By bringing Maxwell to the veterinarian, you’re making a compassionate and vital alternative to enhance his situation, consolation, and high quality of life. Periodontal illness isn’t nearly tooth; if left untreated, it may influence your complete physique, together with the center and kidneys. As soon as oral micro organism get into the bloodstream, they will journey to different very important organs.

Your story additionally sheds gentle on how combined messages, even from well-meaning professionals, can result in confusion about preventive care. Let’s verify that regular teeth brushing is necessary and an incredible behavior to forestall painful and costly dental points. Whereas in actuality, this may show fairly difficult for a lot of pet mother and father, a second and generally complementary choice is common skilled dental cleanings beneath anesthesia. Nevertheless, training your dogs to allow regular tooth brushing ought to proceed to be a precedence.

Your braveness in sharing this second is perhaps the explanation one other canine will get a professional dental cleaning earlier than their gum, dental, and bone constructions are additional affected. Maxwell is fortunate to have somebody who cares sufficient to behave, and this expertise can function a turning level, not only for him, however for others studying her phrases. With a lot appreciation to your kindness and honesty, I additionally hope your story evokes others.

Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Eats Grass!

“Hello Dr Paola,

What do I do if Bobby ate grass?” – Bob

Hello Bob,

When a canine like Bobby eats grass, it’s usually not a trigger for speedy concern. Many canines graze sometimes, and whereas it may appear puzzling, it’s a reasonably frequent habits. Some canines eat grass just because they benefit from the texture or style, whereas others could do it once they’re feeling mildly nauseated or experiencing minor digestive discomfort. It may be a bit like us reaching for natural tea after we really feel our abdomen a bit off. Different theories embody that they may simply want some further fiber. Actually, a number of scientific research have concluded that canines on low-fiber diets usually tend to devour grass, and introducing fructooligosaccharides or a high-fiber diet can cut back this habits. ​The habits might also be instinctual; do not forget that dog ancestors consumed entire herbivores, together with their abdomen contents, which frequently contained plant materials.

Nevertheless, it’s necessary to control how Bobby is doing afterward. If he appears completely tremendous, continues to eat, drink, and play usually, and passes regular stool, then a bit of grass possible gained’t hurt him. If, alternatively, he begins displaying indicators like repeated vomiting, lethargy, diminished urge for food, or belly discomfort, it’s finest to hunt veterinary steering. All the time be conscious of the place he’s grazing, too, since handled lawns could comprise chemical compounds comparable to fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides that might be very dangerous to him. If you realize Bobby enjoys grazing, it’s finest to permit him to do it in a yard you might be certain is freed from potential toxins.
Greatest,

Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Sighs After I Eat!

“My canine Pickles sighs and groans very dramatically after I’m consuming snacks and don’t share. Is there any proof that canines may be passive-aggressive? How can I cease the guilt journeys?  “ – Dylan

Hello Dylan, what you’re observing in Pickles is a basic instance of how dogs learn the right way to use expressive behaviors to communicate their desires and emotions, particularly with folks they’re intently bonded to. The time period “passive-aggressive” may be very human and implies a sure degree of intentional manipulation; canines don’t fairly function with that sort of complicated social technique.

As an alternative, what seems like a dramatic sigh or groan is commonly only a realized habits that will get a response from you. If Pickles has observed that his theatrical moans catch your consideration or, even worse, have in some unspecified time in the future up to now earned him a deal with, he’s very prone to repeat the habits as a result of it really works. It’s much less about guilt-tripping and extra about efficient communication by trial and reward. To place it in easy phrases, he’s, in a method, training you.

To shift this sample, it’s essential to be in step with establishing wholesome boundaries throughout snack time. You may attempt giving him a long-lasting chew or a toy he solely will get throughout these moments, so he nonetheless feels included. You will need to give it earlier than the moaning begins so he isn’t rewarded for the dramatic efficiency. Ignoring the habits whereas it’s taking place, with out scolding or participating, also can assist extinguish it over time. This implies not even Pickles when you have your meals, and he continues to vocalize.

That is simpler stated than carried out, nevertheless it’s necessary to take the guilt journey off and put your persistence mindset on. It helps to assume that not anticipating to eat human meals is of their finest curiosity, as a lot of the stuff we will eat accommodates spices and components which can be really toxic for them. When you ever really feel that you simply want customized steering or help to your plan’s efficiency, a fast online consultation with one of our vets at PangoVet may assist make clear issues and get you some nice tricks to embody in your behavioral modification plan. One thing else, if you happen to and Pickles share your own home with different people, everybody must agree on the plan, or else he won’t ever perceive what is appropriate habits from what will not be. I want you good luck with the problem, you bought this!

– Dr. Paola

The submit Ask Dr. Paola: Monday May 5, 2025 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over total articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought of public area. Nevertheless, we admire that you simply just like the article and would adore it if you happen to continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Dogster.com.

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