Ask Dr. Paola- String lights, Polyps & Torn CCL (April 21, 2025)

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!

Hi readers. It is very important to understand that this column is not an emergency service. It may take weeks before Dr. Paola sees your questions, and she does not answer every one.

This week, we have answered a very distressing question for the purposes of education. Please note this as a trigger warning, and take the information below as a preventative and safety measure.

Situations involving potential ingestion of batteries or electrical components typically require immediate veterinary attention. When in doubt, an online veterinary service like our own PangoVet can be a helpful first step to assess the urgency and guide your next move.

Help! My Dog Ate String Lights

“Dear Dr. Paola,

My chihuahua, Darby, is 11 pounds and ate a string of mini battery-operated Christmas lights. They were on when he ate them, and he rubbed his face on the ground and had white foam flying out of his mouth and was nervous and confused and kept shaking his head violently and trotting around and rubbing his sides of face and looked scared and worried and sad, I’m going to give him a Vaseline sandwich or cotton.” – Kelly

Hi Kelly,

Thank you for reaching out with your concern about Darby. What you described is deeply concerning and may represent a very serious situation.

If Darby chewed or swallowed battery-operated Christmas lights while they were on, this could expose him to electrical burns, damage from sharp plastic or wire, and even chemical injury if the batteries leaked. The signs you noticed, such as a foamy mouth, confusion, head shaking, and rubbing his face, suggest he could be in pain or already experiencing injury to his mouth or throat.

Given the nature of what he ingested, there is also a very real concern for early involvement of the central nervous system. Confusion and disoriented behavior can sometimes reflect systemic effects from pain, chemical exposure, or electrical injury, all of which are possible if a battery or live wiring was chewed. These signs should not be taken lightly, as they may signal more than just local irritation; they could be the first signs of a progressing, potentially life-threatening condition. Giving him a Vaseline sandwich or cotton is not safe in this context and could cause more harm or delay the urgent care he may need.

Situations involving potential ingestion of batteries or electrical components typically require immediate veterinary attention. When in doubt, an online veterinary service like our own PangoVet can be a helpful first step to assess the urgency and guide your next move.

However, in Darby’s case, based on the information you provided, it is best to take him to an emergency veterinary clinic right away to ensure he receives the care he needs as soon as possible.

I hope he is well,

Dr. Paola

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Help! My Dog Has an Ear Polyp!

“My son’s dog Lexi has a polyp in his ear, and he doesn’t have the money to get it removed. Do you have suggestions on what we can do? Thank you,“ – Debra

Hi Debra,

Thank you for reaching out about Lexi. Ear polyps in dogs can be uncomfortable, especially if they cause irritation, discharge, or recurrent infections. While they’re usually benign, they often continue to grow if left untreated, which can lead to more discomfort or complications over time. The ideal solution is surgical removal, both to relieve Lexi’s discomfort and to confirm the growth is not something more serious. However, I understand that cost can be a real barrier.

One option to consider is reaching out to local veterinary schools or nonprofit veterinary clinics, as they often provide care at a reduced cost. You might also check with local animal welfare organizations, some of which offer financial assistance or can direct you to low-cost services. In the meantime, keeping Lexi comfortable is important. If there’s any visible discharge or irritation, gently cleaning the outer ear with a pet-safe saline solution and a soft cloth can help reduce debris buildup. Avoid inserting anything into the ear canal or using products not prescribed specifically for him, as that could cause more harm. The goal right now is to minimize inflammation and discomfort while you look into support options. Sometimes, just explaining the situation to a few local clinics can lead to payment plans or reduced rates, especially if they see that Lexi is otherwise well cared for. I hope this helps!

Dr. Paola

Help! My Dog Has a Torn CCL!

“Hi Dr. Paola,

My active, 70 lb, 8.5-year-old Lab mix Allie had successful FHO when he was 1.5 years old. Now she limps on that leg. Vet says it is torn CCL and recommends TPLO. I am concerned that the femur is not stable enough since it is no longer in the hip socket and will slide. Also, how could she get torn CCL if there is no stress of femur on tibia due to femur’s flexibility?” – Tad

Hi Tad,
Thank you for providing such a thoughtful question. It’s completely understandable to be concerned about Allie’s limb stability given her surgical history. A femoral head ostectomy (FHO) does change the way the weight is transferred through the hind limb, but it doesn’t eliminate all forces on the stifle (knee) joint. After an FHO, the femur no longer articulates directly with the acetabulum, but over time, a fibrous pseudo-joint forms that allows a relatively functional range of motion. While this alters the mechanics in the hip, the stifle joint still bears significant force during weight-bearing, particularly during active movement like running, turning, or jumping. These activities can still place stress on the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), especially in an athletic or older dog.

A torn CCL in a dog like Allie is unfortunately not uncommon, even in a limb that has undergone FHO. The FHO does not remove the femur’s role in transmitting load to the tibia. Instead, the altered mechanics and long-term compensation patterns may actually increase strain on the knee over time. Regarding your concern about Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO), it is a valid question. Surgeons take previous orthopedic procedures into account when evaluating candidacy. TPLO changes the angle of the tibial plateau to neutralize the shear forces that lead to instability when the CCL is torn. It can still be effective in dogs with a prior FHO, depending on the individual case. A second opinion from a veterinary orthopedic surgeon may provide more clarity on whether TPLO is the best option, or if alternatives like Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) or conservative management are more suitable based on Allie’s muscle condition, gait, and comfort level.

It’s nice to read that you are clearly focused on her long-term well-being and want to be well-informed. With her being so active and already compensating for a modified hip, ensuring the stability of her stifle is essential to protect her overall mobility and prevent additional strain on the rest of her body. I hope she gets the very best treatment!

– Dr. Paola