Monday January 13, 2025 – Dogster

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey 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 father or mother 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 widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may preserve your furry pal comfortable and wholesome. Keep tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable selections and supply the absolute best care in your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! Will My Canine Ever Regain His Eyesight?

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

May my canine regain his sight after going blind? Is there any therapy 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 will be restored depends upon the underlying trigger, which a veterinary ophthalmologist can decide by means of an in depth analysis. This may increasingly embody analyzing the attention constructions with a slit lamp, measuring intraocular strain to rule out glaucoma, and performing an electroretinogram to evaluate retinal operate. Some causes, like cataracts, are treatable with surgical procedure to interchange the clouded lens and restore imaginative and prescient. Nevertheless, circumstances reminiscent of 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 operate, that means Likelihood’s blindness would, sadly, be everlasting.

If his imaginative and prescient can’t be restored, you may help him adapt and thrive with just a few coaching and environmental changes. Since Likelihood can nonetheless hear, combining vocal and tactile cues is a wonderful strategy to information him. For instance, a delicate faucet on his left or proper shoulder paired with “left” or “proper” may also 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 setting secure and predictable is vital. Retaining his residing area constant, utilizing textured rugs close to doorways or on the high and backside of stairs, and clearing obstacles from his paths could make it simpler for him to navigate independently. Blind canine adapt remarkably properly with love, persistence, and considerate adjustments. So know that whatever the end result, Likelihood has a excessive likelihood to adapt fantastically and proceed to thrive. You’re giving him your care and assist, and that’s what issues most.

Finest needs,

Dr. Paola

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Assist! I Am Apprehensive About My Canine Publish-Op!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

After a canine is neutered, are there any lasting unwanted effects of the anesthesia after it wears off?” – Anthony (Bam Bam’s Dad)

Hello Anthony,

It’s nice that you just’re staying knowledgeable about Bam Bam’s care. After a canine is neutered, a lot of the results of the anesthesia will put on off inside just a few hours, however it’s not unusual for canine to expertise some gentle, momentary unwanted 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 slightly wobbly or have a lowered urge for food, which is regular as their physique processes the anesthesia.

Lengthy-term side effects from anesthesia itself are uncommon, as fashionable anesthetics are very secure and well-tolerated by most canine. Nevertheless, it’s all the time a good suggestion to observe a canine for any indicators of extended lethargy, persistent vomiting, or uncommon behaviors, as these could indicate a reaction or another issue. If in case you have any issues, reaching out to your veterinarian and even using an internet veterinary session can present skilled steering 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!

“Whats up 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 little thing 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 have been when he wasn’t on any form of treatment, two when he was on 1 x 100mg twice/day, and simply had the opposite one at the moment and he’s been on 2 x 100mg caps twice a day for about 3 weeks now. I do know the anticonvulsants don’t fully take seizures away, however my query is, are all anticonvulsants the identical in the best way they deal with seizures? Or are there some that act otherwise? Ought to I ask my vet to attempt a distinct treatment? He’s at present taking Zonisamide. My vet did say that it may very well be one thing extra severe like a mind tumor, however we haven’t but carried out an MRI of his mind. I received Roscoe when he was about 6 months outdated from a woman that was rehoming him, I used to be the fourth particular person to have this canine, so I’m undecided if he had any seizures previous to me getting him assist. I can’t preserve 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 very best take care of him is actually admirable. Whereas I can’t present particular medical recommendation for Roscoe, I’m comfortable to share some basic details about anticonvulsants, seizure administration, and Siberian Huskies that 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 remove them solely. These drugs work in several methods, they usually’re not all the identical. Zonisamide stabilizes neuronal exercise, whereas others, reminiscent of 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 enrich the primary. Seizure management is highly individualized, and therapy plans typically 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 contemplate 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. Nevertheless, 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, an important first step. In case your vet is contemplating the opportunity of underlying circumstances, like a mind tumor, he may also request additional diagnostic exams, reminiscent of an MRI.

Amanda, please needless to say your observations are extremely important in serving to your vet tailor and regulate Roscoe’s therapy plan. Preserve a log with all of the essential info, and ask your vet for steering about what to incorporate there. And thanks for not giving up on Roscoe!

Wishing you and Roscoe all the very best!
Dr. Paola