Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each and every Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation immediately from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to lend a hand our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new puppy mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions in your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting not unusual behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that can stay your kitty satisfied, wholesome, and tom cat high quality. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a variety of subjects that topic maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll be able to make knowledgeable choices and give you the easiest conceivable maintain your bushy significant other.
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Lend a hand! How Do I Stay My Hepper’s Eyes Blank?
“My 11-year-old rescue cat is an orange feminine. We’ve shared a house for the previous 7 years. For the previous yr, I’ve spotted that Cohesion is now not holding the interior corners of her eyes blank. Once I see the ones dried blackish scab-like issues within the corners of her eyes, I check out to take away them with my fingernail and a rainy washcloth. I’m afraid that if I don’t take away them, they are going to fall into her eyes, however I’m additionally involved that I may scratch her. What’s inflicting the attention dust, and what’s one of the simplest ways to lend a hand her stay her eyes blank?“- Donna
Hi Donna,
Cohesion feels like this sort of particular significant other, and it’s totally comprehensible to fret whilst you understand adjustments round her eyes. The darkish, dried subject matter you’re seeing is in most cases a mixture of tears and floor particles that oxidizes because it dries. As some cats age, they are going to groom this house a little much less, and small shifts within the tear movie can permit discharge to amass. Whilst it is a standard age-related trade, it’s nonetheless vital to look ahead to redness, chronic moisture, or greater blinking as a result of those indicators can point out inflammation or some other underlying factor.
To stay Cohesion comfy, a gradual cleansing regimen is way more secure than seeking to elevate the particles together with your fingernail. The use of a sterile, preservative-free saline answer made for the eyes, moisten a cushy cotton pad and leisure it at the inside nook for a couple of seconds to melt the fabric. This makes it simple to wipe away with out inflicting friction. If the accumulation turns into extra common otherwise you start noticing adjustments in her tearing or convenience, those are adjustments that are supposed to be reported to her veterinarian. For now, common cleansing with saline is a sort and efficient manner to offer protection to her delicate eye tissues. I am hoping this is helping!
Highest,
– Dr. Paola

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Lend a hand! My Cats Enamel Fell Out!
“My cat Evie is 17, and throughout doing nicely. She is going to the vet every year, however we attempt to lend a hand her at house up to we will in between the checkups. The day past, one among her enamel fell out… a tiny entrance one, nevertheless it was once tremendous unexpected. What will have to we do???“ – Cecilia
Expensive Cecilia.
I will believe how unsettling it was once to seek out that tiny enamel, particularly when Evie has been doing so nicely. In senior cats, a enamel falling out by itself is thought of as a clinically vital trade as a result of a wholesome enamel, even a small incisor, does no longer merely loosen and drop. Prerequisites akin to complicated periodontal illness, enamel resorption, oral tumors, trauma, or systemic problems affecting bone and gum well being are all documented reasons in veterinary dentistry. Cats are remarkably professional at hiding oral discomfort, so even though she is consuming and appearing in most cases, she might nonetheless be experiencing adjustments that deserve urged consideration.
At this level, a veterinary analysis is the correct subsequent step so her mouth will also be tested in moderation and the clinician can decide whether or not imaging or remedy is wanted. This helps her total well-being and is helping save you the quiet development of oral illness, which is sadly quite common in senior cats.
Type regards,
– Dr. Paola

Lend a hand! My Cats Has One Scholar That Dilates Larger Than the Different!
“My cat Trixie has one scholar that dilates fairly giant and the opposite just a little bit. She’s 2 years outdated. Turns out like she will see no downside. Must we take her to be observed by means of the vet or be careful for different indicators/signs? “– Jackson
Good day Jackson,
Noticing one scholar better than the opposite will also be alarming, and you’re proper to pay shut consideration. Asymmetric scholar dimension, known as anisocoria, can seem risk free in the beginning, but in veterinary medication, it’s handled as the most important medical signal as a result of it may be connected to stipulations involving the attention itself or the fearful machine. Even if a tender cat like Trixie turns out to look in most cases, underlying problems akin to ocular irritation, retinal illness, or neurologic adjustments will also be provide with out obtrusive discomfort.
For the reason that eyes are so subtle and the reasons of anisocoria range broadly, this isn’t one thing to observe and wait. Her eyes want to be tested with correct apparatus and lights. Early review is helping give protection to her imaginative and prescient and guarantees that anything else wanting remedy is known promptly. You’re doing the best factor by means of taking this severely, and with well timed consideration, maximum reasons will also be addressed in some way that helps to keep Trixie comfy and protected.
– Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
Learn ultimate week’s questions right here: December 15, 2025
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