Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being.
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog is So Thin I Can Feel His Ribs!
“My Schnauzer-schnoodle Sammie is almost 8 years old. He has gotten really thin. He eats just a little bit. He gets an hour walk every day. He is very thin, and I can feel his ribs. How can I get some weight on him? His diet is Ollie twice a day. Minimum treats.“ – Kathleen
Dear Kathleen.
When a dog like Sammie begins to lose weight and his appetite drops, it is the body asking us to look a little deeper rather than simply offering more food. Feeling his ribs more easily tells us he is losing both fat and muscle, which is not expected in a stable adult dog. At this age, changes like this are often linked to dental discomfort, digestive inefficiency, or metabolic conditions that affect how the body uses nutrients, even when the diet itself is balanced.
The kindest and most effective next step is a veterinary visit with a full physical exam, including a careful look at his mouth, along with bloodwork and a urinalysis. These allow us to understand what his body needs instead of guessing. In the meantime, you can gently support him by making meals more inviting, slightly warming his food to enhance the smell, and offering smaller, more frequent portions. Keeping his daily walks steady but not overly demanding helps protect his energy reserves while you work toward answers, so he is supported both nutritionally and physically during this transition.
Sincerely,
– Dr. Paola
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Help! My White Dog Has Red Hair in Private Spots!
“Daisy has reddish hair around her privates, and it’s dark in the creases. Also looks like she ate something reddish around her mouth. She is white. Not bloody not sure what caused it.” – Rita
Hi Rita,
What you are noticing with Daisy is something I see quite often in white-coated dogs, and it can look alarming at first glance. That reddish discoloration around the mouth and near her privates is most commonly related to saliva staining of the fur. Dogs naturally produce compounds called porphyrins, and when saliva sits on the hair, especially in lighter coats, it can leave that rust colored tint over time. The darker areas in the creases are usually where moisture lingers, which can lead to staining and sometimes mild yeast overgrowth.
Even though it looks unusual, this is not typically something to worry about, especially since you are not seeing fresh redness or discharge. It is more related to moisture and repeated licking in those areas. A gentle routine can make a big difference here; lightly cleaning and drying those regions helps reduce buildup and keep the skin healthy. It is also helpful to pay attention to how much she is licking, since an increase can be a sign of irritation or underlying discomfort. If the skin starts to look thickened, develops an odor, or the licking becomes more frequent, having your veterinarian take a closer look will help keep her comfortable and prevent progression.
Kind regards,
– Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Doesn’t Spot Barking!
“How do I stop excessive barking?” – Linda
Hello Linda,
Excessive barking is rarely just a “bad habit,” as it is usually your dog’s way of communicating that something in their environment or emotional state needs attention. Common drivers include boredom, anxiety, alerting to sounds, or learned attention seeking. If we focus only on stopping the noise, it is easy to miss the reason behind it, and the behavior tends to return because the underlying need is still there.
The most effective approach is to identify the trigger and then teach a calm alternative that is consistently rewarded. For example, if your dog barks at passersby, you can begin pairing that trigger with a reward for quiet behavior, helping them learn that staying relaxed is more beneficial. Meeting their daily needs is equally important, including mental enrichment, structured routines, and appropriate exercise, since an under-stimulated dog often uses barking as an outlet. If the barking feels intense, sudden in onset, or difficult to manage, a one-on-one teletriage consultation with Pangovet can be a helpful next step to better understand your dog’s triggers and guide you through practical, realistic ways to manage and modify the behavior while keeping their well-being at the center.
Best wishes,
– Dr. Paola
- View past week’s questions here: April 27, 2026
- See our full list of past articles here
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Help! My Dog is So Thin I Can Feel His Ribs!
