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 Has a Sore Behind His Ear

“Dear Dr. Paola,

Teddy is around 10 years old. He was a drop off when I found him, I thought he was dying! He had sores that drained puss all over his body. I worked on him all the time and he is finally getting his hair back now, but he has a sore behind his ear that’s as big as half his head. I had been in the hospital for two months, and when I got home, he was missing. He was gone for six weeks; thankfully, I found him in my front yard. We need help. He is a fighter. He loves to go outside and sit in the sun and has a big heart. Can someone help us? We need you! Thank you,” – Teddy & Karen

Hi Karen,

Thank you for sharing Teddy’s journey. It’s incredibly moving, and it’s clear how much love and dedication you’ve poured into his care. The way you brought him back from such a fragile state speaks volumes about your compassion and determination. It’s heartbreaking to hear that after all he’s been through, he’s now dealing with another serious sore, especially one as large as you described behind his ear. Given the size and location, this could be a severe infection, an abscess, or something more complex like a growth or immune-mediated condition, particularly in an older dog with a history of skin issues.

Teddy’s strength and spirit are admirable. But at this stage, it’s important he’s seen by a veterinarian in person as soon as possible. He may need specific treatment like wound care, antibiotics, or diagnostics to understand what’s going on beneath the surface. I understand that with your hospitalization, this might be challenging at the moment. If money is the main concern, here are “15 Organizations That Help With Vet Bills” and “Crowdfunding for Vet Bills: 12 Tips How to Do It.” Hopefully, some of these ideas can help you to help Teddy. You’ve already done so much to give him a second chance; getting him proper medical attention now can help ensure he continues enjoying the sun basking and the life he clearly treasures.

Best wishes,

Dr. Paola

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Help! My Dogs Has an Enlarged Heart!

“My Yorkie, Katie, is 5.5 lbs and 12.5 years old. Recently diagnosed with enlarged heart by cardiologist. No prescriptions were given, but we were told she should have ‘no salt in her diet.’ I plan on using Dogster’s recipe for ground beef and vegetables mixed with a little bit of Dr. Marty Nature Blend because she loves Dr Marty’s food, and it keeps her regular, gives her bright eyes, low weight and energy. She’s been on Dr Marty’s her whole life. I called Dr Marty’s business and spoke with a knowledgeable person who said salt is the last item on the ingredient list, and there is very minimal salt (0.02). The vet said to use canned dog food.“ – Agnes

Hi Agnes, thank you for sharing those details about Katie. At 12.5 years old, it’s clear you’re deeply committed to making thoughtful choices for her, especially now with her recent diagnosis of an enlarged heart. While no medication was prescribed, managing her sodium intake is indeed crucial for some dog’s heart health, especially if the veterinary cardiologist recommends it.

Katie has done well on Dr. Marty’s food for years, and since it supports her digestion, energy levels, and healthy weight, it’s understandable why you’d want to keep it as part of her routine. However, even if salt is listed last on the ingredient list and the representative mentioned it’s around 0.02, it’s still important to clarify whether that figure represents 0.02% of the total food (as fed) or of the dry matter. Because sodium levels aren’t always published on pet food packaging, I recommend emailing the company directly to request the exact total sodium content (in mg per 100 kcal or as a percentage on a dry matter basis). Once you have that information, bring it back to your veterinarian. This allows them to assess whether Dr. Marty’s food fits within the recommended sodium range for dogs with cardiac changes, which is often less than 100 mg per 100 kcal for a low-sodium diet.

Many veterinarians are most familiar with specific therapeutic diets and may feel hesitant to endorse alternatives outside of those brands, especially without guaranteed nutrient profiles. However, with a bit of extra effort and transparency from the brand, it’s absolutely possible to make well-informed, tailored decisions. Homemade meals such as the beef and vegetable blend you’re planning can be an excellent base, but since she has a medical condition, they must be formulated specially for her particular case by a veterinary nutritionist and approved by her cardiologist first. Then, combining it with a food Katie already loves could help maintain her appetite and overall well-being.

Wishing her good health,

Dr. Paola

Help! My Dog Might Be HIV Positive!

“Hi Dr. Paola,

If a mother dog is said to possibly be HIV positive and she delivers puppies, does the blood cross to the puppies? Will they have it?” – Betty Joe

Hi Betty Joe,
Thank you for your question. First and foremost, dogs cannot contract or carry HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV is specific to humans and doesn’t infect dogs or any other non-human species. So even if someone has said a mother dog is “possibly HIV positive,” this is likely a misunderstanding—either a mix-up in terminology or confusion with a different condition.

To clarify further, the types of viruses that can cause immune system issues in dogs are completely different from HIV. For example, dogs can contract canine distemper virus or canine parvovirus, but these are species-specific and have no connection to HIV. In terms of maternal blood crossing to puppies, it’s true that some viral infections from the mother like herpes virus, canine parvovirus-1, and distemper (though rarely), can pass through the placenta and infect fetuses, leading to embryonic death, abortion, or neonatal illness depending on the stage of gestation when the mother gets sick. It is also possible that if the mother dog had a transmissible condition, the disease could also be passed through nursing or close contact after birth, not just through shared blood.

In this case, there’s no risk of puppies acquiring HIV from their mother because dogs simply don’t get HIV. If there’s concern about the mother’s health or exposure to any disease affecting dogs, a veterinarian can run appropriate tests to ensure the puppies get the best start in life.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Dr. Paola