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.

I Need Help Choosing a Fresh Dog Food!

“Dear Dr. Paola,

I have a Newborn Australian Terrier named Honorable Maxamillion Alexander the Great Good, 2nd. We want to learn, compare, and research all the human-grade fresh food, human-quality vet-approved recipes. We want wholegrains (possibly limited grains), vegetables, some allowable fruits, and totally human-grade training treats. We
are trying to determine the very best of organizations, for example, The Farmer’s Dog, Pet Plate, Ollie’s, The Pet Table, NomNom, all of them, to learn about before deciding.” – Bonnie

Hi Bonnie!

Congratulations on welcoming Honorable Maxamillion Alexander the Great Good, 2nd, into your family! Australian Terriers are spirited and intelligent companions, and starting him on a wholesome, human-grade diet is a wise choice. This is great to hear, as I personally think in 2025, fresh, complete, and balanced diets are the best option out there. I love how these recipes are quite simplified in comparison with most of the common dry or wet foods. By using limited ingredients and focusing on high-quality, digestible protein sources such as turkey, lamb, or fish as well as less processed ingredients, you will be giving Honorable Maxamillion Alexander the Great Good, 2nd, an advantage for digestive and overall health.

If you wish to choose and compare fresh dog food services, you have come to just the right place. At Dogster, we have hundreds of pet food reviews and comparisons to help pet parents like you make informed decisions. I would suggest reading through:

Best Fresh Dog Food Delivery Services in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

The Farmer’s Dog Food Review 2025: Pros & Cons

Ollie Fresh Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

Nom Nom Dog Food Subscription Review 2025: Our Expert’s Breakdown. 

We also have comparison posts such as: 

Nom Nom vs. The Farmer’s Dog Freshly Made Dog Food: 2025 Comparison 

Nom Nom vs. Ollie Dog Food: Our 2025 In-Depth Comparison

I kindly invite you to immerse yourself in our food reviews and comparisons, then perhaps try a few sampler packages to choose what is best for your puppy and your lifestyle. For a growing Australian Terrier like Maxamillion, it’s crucial to choose a diet that supports his development. Brands like The Farmer’s Dog and Nom Nom, which follow both AAFCO and WSAVA guidelines, including the involvement of a veterinary nutritionist in recipe development, may offer added assurance in terms of nutritional adequacy and quality control. Regardless of the brand you choose, it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to ensure the selected diet aligns with Maxamillion’s specific health needs.

Bon appétit!

Dr. Paola

If you want real time answers to your questions, you can talk to one of our veterinarians online. Click on the image or button below:

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Help! How Do I Know It’s Time for a Vet Visit?

“Hi Dr Paola,

Brownie has had a gurgling stomach off and on for 3 days. He is a Weimaraner mix, 60 pounds. Active and no signs of distress. He is a bit restless when his stomach gurgles. No signs of bloating or pain. I have massaged his stomach/bowel area, and he doesn’t mind.

He has been eating once a day, rather than his usual twice. No changes in his food (3/4 cup kibble, 1 Tbsp boiled chicken breast, 1 Tbsp white rice). I gave him a Tbsp of yogurt two days ago, which quieted his stomach. Then, I read that dogs have trouble digesting lactose. He vomited 1/4 of his meal the following day. Drinks lots of water. His bowels have been loose, occasionally with a bit of mucus. We have seen mucus in his stool when we have been traveling with him, and he is out of his routine. We have not been traveling lately.

We walk him up to two miles per day without any problems. He is alert and energetic.

We keep a pretty close eye on him. He stays indoors, or in our back yard (AZ desert, no real grass, only rocks and synthetic grass), unless we take him out. We got him from a shelter 5 years ago in August. He is around 6? Have not had any stomach issues prior to this.

Questions: What signs should we look for that require a vet visit? How long do we wait for the gurgling stomach to cease? Thank you! “ – Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Thank you for your detailed message. It’s clear that you’re very attentive to Brownie’s well-being, which is wonderful to see. The gurgling you describe, often referred to as borborygmi, is usually related to gas moving through the intestines. While it can happen in healthy dogs occasionally, the fact that it’s been recurring for three days, paired with some loose stools and a decrease in appetite, tells us his digestive system is a bit out of balance.

The yogurt may have temporarily helped by introducing beneficial bacteria, but you’re absolutely right to be cautious with lactose. Some dogs can digest small amounts of plain yogurt, especially if it contains active cultures and is low in sugar, but others may not tolerate it well. The mucus in Brownie’s stools could indicate mild intestinal inflammation, which, in dogs with sensitive systems, can be triggered by stress, subtle dietary upsets, or minor gastrointestinal infections. Given that he hasn’t had a recent change in environment or food, this might be a transient upset or possibly related to mild dietary indiscretion, like licking or ingesting something in the yard.

As for when to see a vet, I recommend a visit if any of the following appear: refusal to eat for more than 24 hours, persistent or worsening vomiting, repeated loose stools (especially if there’s increasing mucus or any presence of blood), visible discomfort (panting, whining, stretching oddly), bloating, or lethargy. If the gurgling and loose stools continue beyond five days, even without those urgent signs, it’s still wise to check in with your vet to rule out parasites, food intolerances, or early signs of chronic GI sensitivities. In the meantime, offering smaller, more frequent meals and temporarily switching to a bland, easily digestible diet (like boiled chicken and rice alone) can support his recovery. Since he’s still energetic, drinking well, and engaging with you, there’s some reassurance that it’s not urgent, but this is a good moment to keep a close watch. If you’re ever in doubt and a physical exam isn’t possible right away, a teletriage service may be helpful for guidance based on real-time changes.

That said, if at any point his abdomen appears distended or tight, if he starts retching without producing anything, or if you see a sudden shift in his demeanor, it would be an emergency, and he should be seen immediately as this signs suggest gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), sometimes referred as Bloat which deep-chested dog breeds like the Weimaraners are more susceptible to. Here, there is no waiting or time to be lost. I hope this helps!

Dr. Paola

Help! My Dog Ate Ibuprofen!

“Hi Dr. Paola,

My dog Daisy ate ibuprofen last night. I’m not sure how much, she’s been throwing up all morning. She seems fine other than that. I called the vet, they said a small amount of Pepto-Bismol may be used and seems to be working. Are there any other signs I need to watch for? “ – James

Hi James,

Thank you for your message. It’s great you called Daisy’s vet, as this is a serious issue. Please know that Ibuprofen is very dangerous to dogs, even in small amounts, and it can cause serious harm to the stomach, kidneys, and nervous system. Vomiting is one of the first signs we might see after ingestion, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s out of danger. Internal damage can continue to develop for hours or even days, and dogs can appear relatively normal at first before more severe issues set in.

I personally would not recommend giving Pepto-Bismol after ibuprofen ingestion without first evaluating the dog. If Daisy is a large-sized dog, she has a better chance of recovering, as she would have ingested a smaller dose, but regardless, this can not be taken lightly. Pepto-Bismol won’t stop the potential for internal bleeding or kidney damage.

Signs you need to take very seriously include persistent vomiting, especially if it becomes bloody or looks like coffee grounds, black stools, changes in urination, lethargy, wobbliness, or signs of confusion. Please don’t wait for things to worsen. This is absolutely a situation where Daisy needs to be seen by a veterinarian in person as soon as possible.

Wishing her a successful recovery,
– Dr. Paola