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 dad or mum 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 supply insights that may preserve your furry buddy comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for skilled steering on a variety of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care to your canine companion. Have a query? Ship it in right here!
Do Small Canines Actually Want Small Toys?
“Hello Dr. Paola,
Are small canine toys vital for small canine?– Jeff
Hello Jeff,
Sure, they’re! Appropriately sized toys are crucial for small canine. Simply as you wouldn’t hand a toddler a big software meant for an grownup, small canine want toys that match their measurement and mouth construction. Toys which might be too giant may be irritating and discourage play, whereas toys which might be too small for a breed’s measurement and chew power can pose a choking hazard. The appropriate measurement encourages protected chewing, interactive play, and psychological stimulation, all of that are important for a canine’s well-being.
For small canine particularly, toys additionally assist assist dental well being by lowering plaque buildup and giving them an outlet for pure chewing instincts. Rotating totally different textures and shapes retains play participating, very like providing a baby quite a lot of puzzles to maintain their thoughts energetic. Selecting sturdy, non-toxic toys particularly designed for smaller mouths ensures each security and enrichment, serving to your little canine keep each entertained and wholesome.
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola
In order for you actual time solutions to your questions, you possibly can speak to certainly one of our veterinarians on-line. Click on on the picture or button under:
Assist! My Canine Is Limping!
“Howdy Dr. Paola,
Bella was working at day care and stopped rapidly, and began limping. They are saying she has a deformity in her kneecap. She just isn’t herself. What can I do to assist her really feel higher? Will this situation enhance or proceed to worsen?” – Carol
Hello Carol,
What you describe in Bella sounds very very like patellar luxation, a situation the place the kneecap slips out of its regular place. This is among the commonest orthopedic points in small and toy breed canine, though it may well happen in bigger canine as properly. Relying on the grade of the luxation, some canine present solely occasional skipping or gentle lameness, whereas others develop persistent ache, limping, and even secondary arthritis over time. Since Bella just isn’t herself and is exhibiting clear indicators of discomfort, a veterinary examination is essential to substantiate the prognosis and assess the severity.
Remedy relies on how unstable the kneecap is and the way a lot it impacts her high quality of life. Gentle instances can generally be managed with weight management, joint-supportive dietary supplements, bodily remedy, and exercise changes. Extra extreme instances usually require surgical procedure to realign the kneecap and stabilize the joint, which may present lasting aid and stop additional harm. The situation doesn’t sometimes resolve by itself, and in lots of canine it progresses if left untreated, so early analysis is one of the simplest ways to maintain Bella comfy and shield her long-term mobility. When you prepare her appointment, limiting vigorous exercise and offering a delicate, supportive resting space will assist scale back pressure on her knee. I hope this helps!
– Dr. Paola
Assist! I Am Attempting to Keep away from Remedy!
“I’ve been utilizing Hills Prescription Derm Pet food for my 8-month-old pet, Gabi, as she will need to have allergy symptoms and is at all times itching or biting. I don’t wish to use a prescription medication and have been attempting all types of treats which might be purported to be probiotic for allergy symptoms and pores and skin sensitivities. A buddy advised me she makes use of Open Farm, Salmon and Oatmeal. I want to attempt it. Does Open Farm have all of the vitamins and nutritional vitamins that canine/puppies are purported to get from common pet food. I don’t wish to make my very own pet food as it is advisable to add dietary supplements however am keen to attempt Open Farm Canine Meals.
Please let me know what you assume. I by no means had this drawback with any canine I’ve had up to now, simply this new pet this yr. Thanks to your assist.” – Barbara
Hello Barbara.
Pores and skin itchiness and chewing can certainly be associated to meals allergy symptoms, however they can be brought on by environmental allergens, parasites, or pores and skin infections, so it’s at all times essential to have your veterinarian affirm the trigger earlier than making dietary adjustments. Prescription diets like Hill’s Derm are fastidiously formulated for elimination or hydrolyzed protein trials, that are the gold customary for diagnosing meals allergy symptoms in canine. Introducing a number of treats or switching meals and not using a structured trial usually makes it troublesome to know what is actually serving to.
Concerning your query about Open Farm Salmon and Oatmeal, this model is marketed as an entire and balanced eating regimen, and, when labeled as such by AAFCO, it ought to include the vitamins and nutritional vitamins required for upkeep or progress. Nevertheless, in case you are feeding a pet, you will need to make sure the formulation particularly states that it meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for progress, together with giant breed progress if that applies to your canine’s breed. Whereas Open Farm can present full vitamin, it isn’t designed as a diagnostic software for allergy symptoms, the best way prescription diets are. In case your pet really has a meals allergy, switching to an over-the-counter meals with out ruling issues out first might extend her discomfort.
The most effective subsequent step is to work together with your veterinarian on a structured elimination eating regimen trial, which generally lasts 8 weeks and makes use of a single novel protein or hydrolyzed protein eating regimen with no different meals or treats. That is essentially the most dependable technique to determine if meals is the reason for her itching. As soon as that’s established, your vet can information you on protected, long-term eating regimen choices which will embrace high-quality business meals like Open Farm.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
