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! I think my dog died from her food!
“Hello, Dr. Paola,
My dog Luna passed away shortly after I changed her dog food. Is it possible to test her food? If that’s the cause, it should probably be a recall and I can save other dogs. ” – Amber
Amber, I’m very sorry about your loss. Losing Luna must be incredibly painful. I wonder if her food plays a role and can only imagine how difficult it would be to navigate this. Your concerns about other dogs speak volumes about your love for animals and you can absolutely test her food to rule out potential contamination and toxicity.
To do this, the lot number, expiration date and manufacturer details are important, so if possible, you should keep the remaining food in the original packaging. Veterinary Toxicology Labs or university-affiliated diagnostic labs are the perfect place to test contaminants such as mycotoxins, bacterial pathogens, heavy metals, or unexpected drug residues. You can also report your concerns to the FDA’s Veterinary Medicine Center to track potential pet food issues. If the passage of Luna is sudden and not a cause, an autopsy (animal autopsy) performed by a veterinary pathologist may be clear when finding the cause of death.
It’s natural to look for answers, but please stay calm during this time. Food-related deaths in dogs are rare, but they happen, and if food is the problem and other dogs are saved, it is a meaningful way to respect your Luna.
Pathetic Dol’s meanness,
Pathetic Dol’s meanness,
Dr. Paola
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Help! My dog has fleas!
“My dog, the worm, was diagnosed with flea invasion. What is “flea infection”? How do dogs get it? I’m taking care of her, and her groomer has never found a flea in her, I have never found a flea in her, my house has not invaded a flea. Mimi is a Polish sheepdog, spoiled, lives in a house, has a Porties outside, and has her own bed (no chisels).
She was constantly itching, ringing with concrete to scratch her ass. (It will be raw). She has been taking oclastinib for two months. She is still itchy, but not so much.
Is there anything else I can do to help her?“ – Julia
Mimi’s constant itching and friction sounds like a classic case of flea allergic dermatitis, especially around her back. A hypersensitivity reaction that allows you to bite at least one flea bite can cause severe itching over several weeks. Flea invasion occurs when fleas live and breed on dogs, breed in the environment, eat blood, and lay eggs that spread throughout the home and garden. However, not all intrusions are obvious. The chisels are small, fast moving, especially with thick Polish sheepdog coats like Mimi, which are excellent in hiding. Adult fleas account for only about 5% of invasions. The remaining 95% (eggs, larvae, pup) is hidden in carpets, bedding and outdoor areas.
MIMI has been using oclastinib for two months and is still scratching, so flea exposure may be uncontrolled. Oclacitinib helps reduce inflammation and itching, but does not prevent flea bites that can continue to cause a reaction. To truly manage her discomfort, she needs a long-term flea prevention plan, along with a quick erectile oral flea treatment that kills fleas before chewing. Deep cleaning of your home is an important part of extinction treatment. This includes carpet vacuuming, bedding cleaning, steaming furniture and handling outdoor areas. This helps eliminate flea eggs and larvae before they grow into adults.
As she is still uncomfortable, Julia is another option to consider is a long-acting itchy remedy insertion treatment. This works by blocking certain itching signals in her body, alleviating it for weeks rather than requiring daily medication. This is especially useful for dogs with allergic conditions like Mimi. If she continues to scratch despite flea control and itchy management, it may be time to explore other perpetrators, starting with potential allergy triggers such as environment and food allergens. It blends housekeeping a bit, but with the right combination of treatments, Mimi should feel comfortable and itchy.
Good luck,
Dr. Paola
Help! How can I introduce my puppy to grooming?
“Hello, Dr. Paola!
I have +/- 15 weeks of Yorkie puppies, Aurora and Orion. Could you please guide me on how to care for it (preparing at home) and how old I can show you? thank you” – invoice
Ah, fortunately, DM, I’ve always wanted a Yorkshire Terrier, so you got two! Aurora and Orion are the perfect age to start a gentle grooming introduction at home. Congratulations to you for being proactive and setting it up for your lifetime of your proactive experience. When I say that both you and them will benefit greatly from this, trust me.
Yorkshire terriers have fine silky coats that require regular maintenance, so having quick grooming fun prevents stress and resistance. Ideally, their first professional grooming session should occur around 4-6 months, but preparations for your home make all the difference.
Start with decoloring them to allow handling. Doing this means that you are used to being touched regularly on your feet, ears and face and being touched in sensitive areas. Use a soft brush like a smooth brush or pin brush, gently run the coat, then let it sniff out for a short, positive session. It offers snacks and praises that will stay light and playful, and help you create positive associations. Also, by gradually introducing these, you can get used to the sounds of clippers and blow dryers. You can start by turning them on at a distance and combining noise and treats.
Bathing should be introduced with lukewarm water and mild puppy shampoo, keeping the session shorter and stress-free. Soft towels and low-heat slow dryer help dry your coat while keeping you comfortable. By the way, don’t hesitate to invest in a dog hair dryer. These control the temperature and decibels to ensure that your puppy is not hurt or scared.
Nail trimming is another important step. Just start, you’ll have to process your feet and then tap the clipper towards your nails without first cutting, making you accustomed to the sensation. Putting them on your lap or on a safe, non-slip surface during these sessions will help you feel stable and confident.
With consistent and gentle practice, Aurora and Orion will know that grooming is just another form of bonding and care. Hurry up and instead focus on short and positive sessions a few times a day. By the time they visit professional groomers, they are already happy with this process and make the experience smoother for everyone!
Congratulations again,
Dr. Paola
This article is part of the weekly question Dr. Paola series
