Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, 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 dad or mum 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that may preserve your furry pal comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care to your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! I Wish to Use Pure Cures!
“ Hello Dr. Paola, I got here throughout your web page once I was in search of pure options for my two canines. I actually just like the Dogster web site and I used to be simply questioning what you concentrate on that utilizing pure cures to your pets earlier than utilizing prescribed drugs. My oldest canine had a tooth get contaminated and we used an antibiotic for her which was such a blessing, however, I’m having a tough time understanding if I ought to attempt to go extra pure on the every day routines for preventative wellness, and for fundamental therapies, and save the fashionable therapies for bigger emergencies. My earlier vet was very judgmental about it and though I’ve discovered a extra impartial vet, I can’t get it out of my head. My present vet nonetheless appears slightly biased though he’s rather more supportive. I simply wish to do what’s proper by my canines.” – Kapree (Mother to Kiki and Kingston)
Hello Kapree, it’s great to listen to how a lot care and thought you’re placing into Kiki and Kingston’s well being. Pure cures can certainly be a priceless device for supporting your canines’ well-being, notably on the subject of preventative care and addressing minor issues. Nonetheless, it’s important to keep in mind that pure doesn’t at all times imply with out dangers. Some cures may cause uncomfortable side effects or work together with different therapies, which is why it’s so necessary to work with a skilled skilled. A holistic veterinarian can information you in selecting secure and efficient choices tailor-made particularly to your canines’ wants.
I feel it’s unbelievable that you simply used antibiotics when your older canine wanted them to deal with the tooth infection. That’s an amazing instance of how trendy medication is usually a true lifesaver. Many pet dad and mom, such as you, desire to give attention to pure approaches for every day care and reserve prescribed drugs for pressing conditions. When achieved thoughtfully, this strategy could be very efficient in sustaining a balanced, wholesome way of life to your pets.
I’d encourage you to attach with a holistic veterinarian to assist your targets. These professionals are expert in integrating natural and conventional treatments, serving to you make the very best decisions for Kiki and Kingston. You could find a holistic vet by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Affiliation (AHVMA) web site, which presents a helpful listing. You may additionally test with native pet teams or different canine homeowners in your space who share an curiosity in pure care for extra suggestions.
On the finish of the day, an important factor is keeping your dogs happy and healthy. A holistic vet may help you navigate the choices whereas respecting your preferences and priorities. You’re doing an incredible job as their mother, and it’s clear they’re in very caring fingers!
Greatest Needs,
Paola
Assist! My Canine Can Soar Our Fence!
“Just lately, my canine realized he might bounce over the fence in our yard. He solely does this at evening when he is aware of we aren’t watching. He doesn’t go far and comes again once we name him, however in need of constructing a better fence or by no means leaving him outdoor unsupervised, we will’t consider something to cease this habits. He’s a rescue that likes to roam. We’ve had him for 3 years and this solely began 3 weeks in the past. Assist!” – Kacey
Kacey, you might be proper, being outdoor unsupervised is way from best for a canine as there are numerous risks and potential threats, plus you would possibly get into hassle along with your neighbors. The most secure choices could be to carry your canine inside at evening or construct him a safe kennel in your yard. A canine that’s operating uncontrolled on the street will probably be at a excessive danger of accident or getting misplaced.
If these aren’t doable, sadly, making your fence taller or safer might be the very best answer. There are a number of various things you possibly can attempt to prevent your dog from climbing a fence, like including some shrubs or fence extenders. First, I like to recommend making an attempt among the fence dog-proofing methods.
In addition to the common yard wood fences or chain hyperlink fences, simple-to-install customizable mesh fences are an possibility as properly. Another DIY projects could be achieved with bamboo, branches, and so on. A taller bodily fence to include your canine inside ensures they continue to be safely the place you need them to be. Once more, I’d additionally contemplate bringing him inside at evening or making a canine kennel for him to be safely secured at evening.
You might also wish to contemplate the the reason why your canine could have began to flee your yard. Typically canines will begin to roam if uncovered to robust organic stimuli, for instance, an intact male detecting a feminine in warmth. In case your canine is undamaged, you may contemplate neutering him to take away this escape motivation. Or a canine with a excessive prey drive would possibly break the fence to go chase a squirrel. Should you assume your canine is likely to be escaping out of boredom, guarantee that you’re offering loads of stimulation throughout the day, like lengthy walks, play periods, and puzzles or different interactive toys. Additionally, you will wish to make sure that your canine has entry to loads of recent water and comfy bedding.
As you see, you do have a number of choices. I’d suggest you first discover a approach to make that fence taller, but additionally wished to clarify different choices you would possibly come throughout.
Dr. Paola
Can I Make Bone Broth for My Delicate Canine?
“Hello Dr Paola, I began making bone broth out of beef bones at residence from scratch. My canine LuLu has some allergy symptoms and is on hydrolyzed meals Purina Professional Plan per our vet’s suggestion. I simply learn that sluggish/lengthy cooking bone broth can add histamines to the bone broth. I’m at the moment cooking it for about two hours; is that this okay or ought to I shorten the cook dinner time? Thanks to your assistance on this!
Hello! It’s great that you simply’re placing a lot care into LuLu’s dietary wants. You’re appropriate that bone broth can accumulate histamines, particularly with lengthy cooking instances. Proteins within the bones and connective tissues break down into amino acids like histidine, which converts to histamine by a course of referred to as decarboxylation. Cooking the broth for about two hours, as you’re already doing, is an efficient approach to reduce histamine ranges in comparison with the standard 12–24-hour simmer. Utilizing recent bones and freezing the broth instantly after cooking can even assist cut back histamine formation.
Since LuLu is on a hydrolyzed protein diet, it’s necessary to know which proteins trigger her immune system. Should you’re uncertain about her particular allergens, I like to recommend skipping bone broth altogether as a result of the chance of a response outweighs the advantages. If you already know which proteins she tolerates, you may safely make bone broth utilizing bones from these sources. Nonetheless, understand that after histamine kinds, mast cells or basophils within the immune system retailer it in granules or launch it immediately into tissues or circulation in response to particular triggers (allergens), which exacerbates the immune response indicators. In lots of instances, canines are triggered not solely by meals allergy symptoms but additionally by environmental allergy symptoms, so the bone broth is likely to be doing extra dangerous than good in case you have not fully recognized all of Lulu’s sensitivities and allergy symptoms.
Good luck!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
