Welcome to the “Ask Dr. Paola” series. Here we bring you expert advice directly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) every Monday, ensuring that readers have a better understanding of your dog’s health and well-being.
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a veteran lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutritional tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to provide insights that will keep your furry friends happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on the various topics that are most important to you and your dog. This allows you to make informed decisions and provide the best possible care to your dog peers. Do you have a question? Send it here! 
Help! My dog’s bare won’t stop!
“Hello, Dr. Paola,
Every time we barry a dog in the backyard, he bares non-stop. We are worried about our neighbors. What can you do?” – Susan h
Hello Susan,
Barry’s persistent barking in the backyard is a general concern for dog parents, and it’s great to be looking at both his happiness and his neighbor. Dog bark for a variety of reasons: excitement, boredom, territorial instinct, or even anxiety. The key here is to identify the root cause and address it with training and environmental adjustments.
First, observe him and find what will cause Barry’s barking. If he is responding to noise, people, or other animals, he may feel the need to warn or protect his territory. In this case, it is helpful to limit visual exposure with a solid fence or provide a designated quiet area. If the bare voice comes from boredom or excess energy, increasing his physical and mental stimulation with interactive toys, scent work, or structured playtime before going outside is a bare voice. It may help reduce impulses.
Training plays an important role. It is effective to teach clues like “quiet” using positive reinforcements. Start indoors where there is less distraction. You can simply capture it: when Barry stops barking, reward him with praise and treats.
A great way to eliminate unwanted behavior is to place it under stimulus control. Training Barry to bare in cue makes him less likely to bare without it.
You’ll also need to redirect his focus with a toy or get him into work as he steps into the yard. Before you bare, before stopping. Consider supervised backyard time rather than allowing unlimited access while overbarking despite training.
If Barry’s barking is caused by anxiety, particularly separation anxiety, the approach may require a more gradual desensitization process. Keep in mind that you can always consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to provide a tailored strategy. With patience and consistency, Barry can learn to enjoy his backyard without turning it into a barking zone.
Dr. Paola
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Help! My dog has kidney failure!
“Dear Dr. Paola,
Our 15-year-old puppy, Holly Bell, is still strong, but has kidney failure. She drinks water, pees frequently, and runs out of 23 inches. x 23in. Pee pads every time. What happens normally as symptoms progress? She still eats, runs, plays, sleeps well. Her poop is as small and hard as a rock. Her teeth are bad, some loose, some fall. Her vet will no longer give dental cleanings. I started adding vegetables/olive oil to her food.” – Susan s
Susan, Holly Bell sounds like a resilient little soul. You’ve done a great job supporting her throughout her golden age. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition, which means damage to kidney tissue, and the resulting signs gradually worsen over time. However, the rate of decrease may vary widely from dog to dog. I will do my best to explain here, but I would recommend calling one of the veterinarians at Pangovet. This will allow you to have a proper conversation.
Nutritional management including snacks and what she gets should be approved by your veterinarian as it is necessary at some stages of strict protein and phosphorus restriction in kidney disease. Now she still has a good quality of life. That’s the most important thing.
As kidney disease progresses, the kidneys lose the ability to effectively filter waste, leading to an increase in toxins in the bloodstream. You may notice more obvious signs such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, muscle waste, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Excessive thirst and urination often persists, and at later stages, dogs can become dehydrated even after drinking a lot. It is important to add water to your food, as hard and dry stools are common due to dehydration. Olives or vegetable oils can provide some extra calories and lubrication, but hydration is key to dealing with constipation. Your vet may request you to learn how to apply subcutaneous fluid.
Her dental issues are also a concern. This is because infection or loose teeth can contribute to systemic inflammation and cause dietary pain. Complete dental cleaning under anesthesia is no longer an option, so discomfort can be minimized by daily oral rinsing, dental wipes, or providing soft, chewable foods. Once mouth pain gets worse, your veterinarian may consider antibiotics or pain relief options.
This stage focuses on maximizing her comfort and quality of life. Monitoring her appetite, energy levels, and signs of discomfort (such as pacing, drooling, food avoidance) can help you understand when adjustments are needed. When the time comes when she can no longer find joy in her normal activities and seems to struggle or suffer to eat, a gentle goodbye may be the most compassionate choice. But for now it sounds like she still has a good day ever, and with your love and care, she can enjoy them.
Help! My dog has diabetes!
“Hello, Dr. Paola!
My 8-year-old Schnoodle Addie was diagnosed with diabetes a month ago. She eats fresh pets and loves it. Is this OK dog food for her given that she is a diabetic? It’s high in protein, but I don’t know if there’s enough fiber to control blood sugar. Addi is very loud, but she loves fresh pets so I hate to take it away. ” – Patty
Hello Patty. Management of diabetes in dogs like ADDIE requires a careful balance of diet, insulin, and monitoring to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Pet Fresh is a brand offering a variety of products, each with a different ingredient composition and nutritional profile. If you need help with this, Teletortridge Veterinary Services can help you analyze the ingredients and nutrient content of a particular formula. In fact, you can schedule a call with one of the experienced vets at Pangovet.com. They help you answer all your questions at an affordable price without leaving the house.
Diabetes management is so personalised that it is essential to work closely with your veterinarian who monitors adi’s glucose levels and determines whether your current diet and treatment are appropriate or adjustments are necessary.
A high protein diet is beneficial for diabetic dogs, but fiber plays an important role in regulating blood glucose by slowing down glucose absorption. If a particular pet’s fresh formula adie enjoys ample fiber, the veterinarian may suggest incorporating additional fiber sources or moving to another food that better supports glucose control. Management of diabetes requires continuous adjustments, so expect some trial and error to find the best balance of ADDIE. The goal is to keep her happy while keeping her as stable as possible. With careful monitoring, we are confident that we will be able to find solutions that will help both her health and preferences.
I wish you good luck,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of the weekly question Dr. Paola series
