Monday April 7, 2025 – Dogster

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 diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may maintain your furry good friend pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a variety of subjects 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! My Canine has Degenerative Myelopathy

“Expensive Dr. Paola,

Dallas was identified with Degenerative myelopathy nearly a yr in the past. He’s actually beginning to battle along with his again legs, and he’s falling loads. What can I do to assist him?” – Barbara

Hello Barbara,

Thanks for reaching out and for caring so deeply for Dallas. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is such a heartbreaking situation to witness, because it slowly chips away at a canine’s mobility whereas they continue to be mentally vibrant and engaged. It’s extremely tough watching a beloved good friend trapped in a physique that’s now not cooperating. The excellent news is that there are methods you possibly can help Dallas’s high quality of life and assist him stay comfy and energetic for so long as potential.

At this stage, when weak spot and falls develop into extra frequent, assistive gadgets could make a big distinction. A well-fitted rear support harness means that you can assist Dallas stroll with extra stability particularly when going outdoors for toileting or navigating slippery flooring. Some canines additionally profit from utilizing a wheelchair or cart, which helps take the load off their hind finish and permits them to proceed exploring their world with a little bit of independence. You can provide a few of these DIY wheelchair projects a strive.

Inside the home, yoga mats or rubber runners can create secure paths that reduce slipping. Bodily remedy or hydrotherapy can assist preserve muscle tone, help circulation, and decelerate additional decline, nearly like physiotherapy for people with spinal points.

Though there’s no treatment for DM, the aim now could be to protect consolation and dignity. You may additionally think about working with a veterinarian who provides integrative care, together with acupuncture or laser therapy, as some canines discover these therapies useful in sustaining power and luxury. For those who’re ever unsure about easy methods to finest help Dallas day after day, a tele-triage consultation can assist information choices with out requiring a visit to the clinic, particularly if mobility is restricted. You’re clearly doing all the things you possibly can to make his days brighter, and that love and your help and presence imply extra to him than something. Thanks for being a loving pet mother or father!

Sincerely,
Dr. Paola

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Assist! My Canines’ Meals Has Been Recalled!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

I’ve been shopping for Carna4 pet food for some time for my canines Emmy and Tazie from a Vendor in PA and not too long ago off Amazon. Nobody notified us that the merchandise have been recalled. That isn’t proper, now we have been feeding our canines this pet food together with their home-cooked meal.

What are the well being risks we now want to concentrate on? Whose accountability is it to inform patrons when risks exist in any “wholesome” meals made for people and our expensive fur infants? Ought to I throw out our newest bag of Duck, Liver, Eggs, and Sprouted Seeds? We stay in a purchaser beware world; I didn’t see this coming! “ – Donna

Hello Donna,

I fully perceive your frustration and concern after we select a commercially obtainable pet food, we anticipate transparency and security, particularly in terms of our canines’ well-being. Emmy and Tazie are fortunate to have somebody so proactive and tuned into their care.

To my information, Carna4 has by no means had a recall, and none have been reported by the FDA. That stated, if you happen to heard this from a dependable supply, it’s vital to find out precisely why the product was pulled. Some remembers are precautionary, equivalent to minor high quality issues, whereas others are based mostly on confirmed dangers as a consequence of potential contamination (like Salmonella or mold) and with confirmed circumstances. The latter ones require fast motion, like pulling them off the cabinets.

Basically, remembers are issued by way of coordination with the FDA, and producers are anticipated to inform retailers, distributors, and, ideally, the general public. Sadly, not all on-line retailers or third-party sellers are diligent in passing that data alongside, which might depart pet mother and father at the hours of darkness. When a recall is introduced, notably if there’s any danger of sickness, it’s most secure to cease feeding the affected product instantly and monitor your pets for any uncommon indicators equivalent to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or urge for food modifications. Even when Emmy and Tazie appear effective, it’s a good suggestion to inform your veterinarian and maintain the packaging or batch quantity useful in case follow-up testing is required.

As for accountability, each the producer and the vendor share the moral obligation to inform shoppers, however the actuality is, particularly in a web-based market, that follow-through is usually inconsistent. In circumstances like this, it’s at all times most secure to err on the aspect of warning and discontinue the meals till you’ve verified that the batch shouldn’t be included within the recall. I encourage you to report any issues on to the FDA’s pet meals grievance portal—they do take client experiences critically, and your voice helps advocate not simply to your canines however for others too. By the way in which, do you know that Dogster sends official recall alerts to your e-mail? You may join, and you’ll get an e-mail every time a canine’s meals has a recall issued. I hope this helps!

Dr. Paola

Assist! My Canine Obsessively Licks His Paws!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

My canine Morty obsessively licks his paws and me, particularly my arms, arms, legs, and ft. He appears upset after I inform him to cease. Is that this nervousness? Ought to I make him cease or simply let him do it? “ – Heather

Hello Heather,
Thanks for sharing this about Morty. It feels like he’s a really affectionate soul, however I perceive how the fixed licking can increase questions and even develop into overwhelming at occasions. When canines repeatedly lick their paws or their humans, it’s typically extra than simply grooming or affection, it may be an indication of an underlying emotional or bodily want.

Licking can function a self-soothing conduct, much like how some individuals chew their nails when anxious. If Morty appears distressed if you interrupt him, anxiety might actually be enjoying a job. Separation-related stress, boredom, or perhaps a historical past of reinforcement (the place the licking could have as soon as been rewarded with consideration can all contribute. Nevertheless, it’s additionally vital to rule out bodily causes. Paw licking, specifically, could stem from allergic reactions, irritation, or discomfort. Canines with environmental allergies typically present indicators by way of their pores and skin and paws, and in some circumstances, it turns into a cycle: itch results in licking, which results in extra irritation. If his paws look crimson, swollen, or stained from saliva, it’s price having your veterinarian look at him.

Relatively than scolding him, which might create confusion or add to emphasize, strive redirecting his vitality in ways in which meet his emotional and bodily wants; for instance, give him a puzzle toy, a frozen lick mat, or interact him in calm coaching periods that use optimistic reinforcement. You’re proper to pause and ponder whether to permit the conduct or not, and the most effective path ahead is normally one in every of compassionate redirection. If nervousness is suspected however not excessive, a session by way of a tele-triage service can assist information you on easy, supportive interventions earlier than transferring on to a full behavioral seek the advice of. You’re already doing proper by Morty by observing and asking the suitable questions; generally our canines talk in licks what they’ll’t say in phrases. Good luck!

Dr. Paola