Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, 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 mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry pal joyful and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steerage on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care on your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! Will My Canine Ever Regain His Eyesight?
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
Might my canine regain his sight after going blind? Is there any remedy that may assist him?” – Geraldine (Likelihood’s Mother)
Hello Geraldine,
I’m so sorry to listen to about Likelihood’s imaginative and prescient loss. Whether or not his sight may be restored is dependent upon the underlying trigger, which a veterinary ophthalmologist can decide via an in depth analysis. This will embody inspecting the attention buildings with a slit lamp, measuring intraocular stress to rule out glaucoma, and performing an electroretinogram to evaluate retinal perform. Some causes, like cataracts, are treatable with surgical procedure to exchange the clouded lens and restore imaginative and prescient. Nonetheless, situations similar to progressive retinal atrophy or sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) end in everlasting imaginative and prescient loss. SARDS, particularly, causes a speedy and irreversible lack of retinal perform, that means Likelihood’s blindness would, sadly, be everlasting.
If his imaginative and prescient can’t be restored, you’ll be able to help him adapt and thrive with a couple of coaching and environmental changes. Since Likelihood can nonetheless hear, combining vocal and tactile cues is a superb approach to information him. For instance, a mild faucet on his left or proper shoulder paired with “left” or “proper” might help him navigate turns. A contact on his chest or again with the phrase “cease” can sign him to halt, whereas tapping his entrance paw and saying “stairs” can warn him about steps. Constant reinforcement of those cues will assist him really feel extra assured and safe.
Moreover, making his atmosphere secure and predictable is vital. Protecting his residing house constant, utilizing textured rugs close to doorways or on the prime and backside of stairs, and clearing obstacles from his paths could make it simpler for him to navigate independently. Blind canine adapt remarkably nicely with love, persistence, and considerate adjustments. So know that whatever the end result, Likelihood has a excessive likelihood to adapt superbly and proceed to thrive. You’re giving him your care and help, and that’s what issues most.
Greatest needs,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! I Am Anxious About My Canine Publish-Op!
“Pricey Dr. Paola,
After a canine is neutered, are there any lasting unintended effects of the anesthesia after it wears off?” – Anthony (Bam Bam’s Dad)
Hello Anthony,
It’s nice that you simply’re staying knowledgeable about Bam Bam’s care. After a canine is neutered, many of the results of the anesthesia will put on off inside a couple of hours, but it surely’s not unusual for canine to expertise some delicate, momentary unintended effects as they recover. These can embody slight grogginess, disorientation, nausea or vomiting, and even chills and a little bit of shivering for as much as 24 hours. Some canine may appear somewhat wobbly or have a diminished urge for food, which is regular as their physique processes the anesthesia.
Lengthy-term side effects from anesthesia itself are uncommon, as trendy anesthetics are very secure and well-tolerated by most canine. Nonetheless, it’s all the time a good suggestion to watch a canine for any indicators of extended lethargy, persistent vomiting, or uncommon behaviors, as these could indicate a reaction or another issue. When you’ve got any considerations, reaching out to your veterinarian and even using a web based veterinary session can present skilled steerage and assist decide if an in-person go to is critical. With relaxation, care, and loads of love, Bam Bam ought to bounce again shortly and be his playful self once more quickly!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Is Having Seizures!
“Howdy Dr. Paola!
I’ve a 1.5-year-old full-blooded Siberian husky who began having seizures about 4-5 months in the past. My vet did a full blood panel and every part was regular. He put him on anticonvulsants, and when Roscoe nonetheless had seizures he upped the dosage. He has had a complete of 5 seizures, two of which had been when he wasn’t on any sort of treatment, two when he was on 1 x 100mg twice/day, and simply had the opposite one at present and he’s been on 2 x 100mg caps twice a day for about 3 weeks now. I do know the anticonvulsants don’t utterly take seizures away, however my query is, are all anticonvulsants the identical in the way in which they deal with seizures? Or are there some that act otherwise? Ought to I ask my vet to strive a distinct treatment? He’s at present taking Zonisamide. My vet did say that it could possibly be one thing extra critical like a mind tumor, however we haven’t but performed an MRI of his mind. I acquired Roscoe when he was about 6 months previous from a woman that was rehoming him, I used to be the fourth individual to have this canine, so I’m unsure if he had any seizures previous to me getting him assist. I can’t hold watching my canine have seizures, it breaks my coronary heart!!!!” – Amanda
Hello Amanda
Thanks for reaching out about Roscoe. I can solely think about how distressing it should be to see him undergo seizures, however your dedication to understanding his situation and exploring the most effective take care of him is actually admirable. Whereas I can’t present particular medical recommendation for Roscoe, I’m joyful to share some basic details about anticonvulsants, seizure administration, and Siberian Huskies which may assist information your discussions along with your veterinarian.
Anticonvulsants like Zonisamide are used to cut back the frequency and severity of seizures, however they might not all the time eradicate them completely. These medicines work in numerous methods, they usually’re not all the identical. Zonisamide stabilizes neuronal exercise, whereas others, similar to Phenobarbital or Levetiracetam, goal completely different pathways within the mind. For canine whose seizures aren’t fully controlled on one treatment, veterinarians typically introduce a second anticonvulsant to enhance the primary. Seizure management is highly individualized, and remedy plans usually evolve as veterinarians tailor the method to every canine’s response and distinctive circumstances. Your veterinarian’s changes to Roscoe’s dosage are, subsequently, a mirrored image of his or her good administration of the case.
You will need to think about that Siberian Huskies, have a known genetic predisposition to recurrent seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure dysfunction with no identifiable trigger. This situation usually seems in canine between six months and 6 years of age. Nonetheless, seizures in Huskies will also be triggered by other factors, together with structural points within the mind, metabolic imbalances, and even environmental stressors. This makes diagnostic testing, such because the bloodwork your vet has already carried out, a vital first step. In case your vet is contemplating the potential of underlying situations, like a mind tumor, he may additionally request additional diagnostic exams, similar to an MRI.
Amanda, please needless to say your observations are extremely important in serving to your vet tailor and alter Roscoe’s remedy plan. Preserve a log with all of the necessary info, and ask your vet for steerage about what to incorporate there. And thanks for not giving up on Roscoe!
Wishing you and Roscoe all the most effective!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
