From a stones mad puppy to a cat with toothache – your pet queries answered
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.
He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Q: MY year-old Staffie greyhound cross Bertie keeps picking up small stones in his mouth.
I’m worried about him swallowing them.
I’ve tried to remove them from my garden but, when he’s out and about, he still does it.
Any advice?
Pete Christopher, Barnstaple, Devon
Sean says: If he doesn’t swallow them, then I wouldn’t be too worried.
Puppies explore the world with their mouths.
If you chase Bertie every time he does it, not only will he realise it gets him attention and do it more, but he may feel there’s competition for his precious stones then actually swallow them.
Instead, try keeping him stimulated with safe toy options.
By you being more exciting, he should reduce this behaviour in time.
Q: I’M worried my 18-year-old cat Eric might have a toothache.
He eats his soft food but doesn’t want his biscuits.
Should I book a trip to the dentist — and should that be a normal vet or should I look for a specialist dental vet?
John Gibson, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Sean says: A normal vet check as soon as you can is a good idea.
As vets, we are all dentists too, and anaesthetists, and many other specialties — in multiple species.
So Eric will be in good hands with your vet.
It may be a minor issue, or perhaps he needs a tooth taken out.
Many owners of elderly pets fear bringing them to the vet in case it is bad news, but we can do so much more if we catch things early.
It sounds like he may be in discomfort, so please get him checked.
Q: MY friend’s boxer was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour called a hemangiosarcoma and had surgery, but no chemo.
She has bought a supplement called I’m-Yunity For Dogs Immune Support Proprietary Mushroom and swears by it.
The oncologist also recommended it for slowing down or preventing cancer.
My dog was also recently diagnosed with cancer and I’m keen to see if it may help.
But could it do any harm?
Emma Rimmer, Darlington
Sean says: There are two questions here, the first being: do I think a mushroom-based supplement will do any harm to dogs recovering from cancer surgery?
No, probably not — but it could be indirectly harmful if you spent all your money on expensive supplements and could no longer afford proven effective medications.
The second question you imply is whether I think it works, and the answer is: I really don’t know.
Many dogs with cancer, including hemangiosarcoma, go on to live much longer than vets tell owners.
Those who bought mushroom supplements will rave about them.
But how many of those dogs would have lived just as long without the supplements?
I’d go with evidence-based treatment from your vet.
Q: MY budgie Peanut is seven months old and has been off his food for a week or so.
He has plenty of water, seeds and cuttlefish.
Could he be bored of this diet?
Or could it be something else?
Keith Armstrong, Battle, East Sussex
Sean says: A week off his food is a serious issue for such a small bird.
They hide illness very well, being a vulnerable prey animal in the wild.
Is he off his food entirely or just disinterested?
If it’s the former, then you’d be wise getting him checked over by a bird-savvy vet.
Lots of things could be making him unwell.
A very dangerous one to birds is non-stick cookware.
Overheating Teflon and other non-stick pans gives off toxic fumes that are harmless to us but can make a bird very ill or even be fatal.
Has that happened when anyone has been cooking
Landlord pet hate hurt renters
RENTERS are being forced to choose between their pets and keeping a roof over their heads.
Shocking stats from charity St Mungo’s show half of those polled were being placed in situations where it was either their pets or access to housing.
Around 48 per cent have experienced discrimination because of pets, such as being refused application to rent, eviction or being asked to part with their beloved companion.
Arwa Omaren found herself homeless in the UK after fleeing war-torn Syria.
She was forced to part company with her golden retriever, Jacko, for three years, until he came to the UK via charity War Paws.
Arwa was made homeless when her landlord sold her flat and the only council housing available meant she would have to part with Jacko.
Eventually, Arwa and Jacko were helped by St Mungo’s.
She has now moved into a flat with her fiancé and started a family.
Ish Camp, regional head at St Mungo’s, said: ‘Many people are placed in dangerous situations to ensure they aren’t separated from their pets.”
Learn more online at mungos.org/petscampaign.
Win: Henry Pet XL vacuum (worth £200)
VACUUM firm Henry is offering two readers the chance to win a Henry Pet XL, which is designed with even the furriest of friends in mind, has extra-large capacity and additional tools to get the job done.
Worth £200, they remove hairs, reduce pet odours and even have dust-free emptying.
To enter, send an email headed HENRY to sundaypets@the-sun. co.uk by May 12.
See myhenry.com.
Star of the week
REGGIE the Horsefield tortoise is helping to heal the heart of his new owner after her sister passed away in March.
He was inherited by Helen Maitland, 60, from Bexley, Kent, after her sister Ann died last month from cancer.
Helen said: “Reggie was my sister’s pet. He’s very precious and very spoiled. He likes eating kale, lettuce, Brussels sprouts and tortoise pellets, and running along the edge of the patio window in the sun.
“But he lives in the house as it’s too cold for him outside.
“He’s helping to heal my heart.
“He also likes looking at himself in the mirror!”