From pony with a mean streak to cats with diabetes – 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 Shetland pony Blaze, who is eight, has got a mean streak.

If a stranger comes along, he will nip. He’s fine with people he knows. What can I do to discourage this? He’s very stubborn.

Pete Castle, Gravesend, Kent

A) A stubborn and feisty Shetland pony? Surely not?! The truth is, I might give you advice here but I suspect Blaze is fairly set in his ways and it may not work.

But like with any animal behaviour, we start with examining the root cause. What’s motivating him to do this? I’d imagine it’s fear or anxiety.

He’s a small guy, humans loom over him, and they are unpredictable. A solution might be some reframing of his view on strangers. You might look to set up pleasant visits from strangers where he is treated kindly and given treats for example.

Q) I HAD to have a few of my cat Peanut’s teeth taken out.

She just won’t tolerate a tooth brush — I’ve got the scratches to prove it! Is there anything else I can do to help her teeth?

Alan Edmunds, Exeter

A) It’s tricky with cats, they are far less tolerant of any brushing or interference with their mouths than dogs.

The second best effort you can make is to get Peanuts on a dental diet to slow down the build-up of plaque and calculus on the teeth.

You can get products to add to her water or food, which reduces the rate of build-up leading to periodontal disease, and ultimately tooth loss.

Q) What can I do to keep my hamster Rose fit and well?

She has a wheel, I put her in a ball to run around and keep an eye and also she has lots of handling and loves cuddles.

But I read somewhere they travel a lot in the wild so should I be doing more?

Sian Clifford, Bristol

Sean says: The sky’s the limit, as is your imagination when thinking of ways to enrich your hamster’s life, particularly when it comes to space and exercise.

Obviously, they are escape artists so you want to be sure where you let Rose down to wander is free of any little gaps or places she could squeeze out and go off on an even bigger adventure.

But ideally you should be letting her out in a large, secure area to roam and explore a variety of objects every evening.

They can travel long distances in the wild, so it’s not fair keeping them confined to the standard hamster cages on offer.

There are also modular cage systems you can connect with tunnels, which can make her home more complex and spacious, and I highly recommend these for all hamster owners.

Remember too that novelty is stimulating, so mix up toys and create new obstacle courses for her to complete each week.

Q) Marty, my seven-year-old cat, has been diagnosed with diabetes. Should I restrict treats?

Paul Cox, Eynsford, Kent

A) Sorry to hear Marty’s news. I’m presuming you have spoken with your vet team about management in the future.

Because the staple treatment of diabetes in cats includes stabilising blood sugar levels and shifting excess weight, I think it’s a great idea to ditch treats.

Ideally you want to get into a stable routine of mealtimes and insulin administration with a calorie-controlled diet if Marty is overweight.

Sometimes with the right diet cats can be cured of the disease. Your vet team is there to help.

Take the lead with pets first aid course

DOG walkers, pet sitters and groomers are being urged to undergo mandatory first aid courses to save the lives of hundreds of animals.

One in four pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique was applied before contacting an emergency vet.

Veterinary Nurse Rachel Bean, 50, from Saddleworth, Manchester, who runs first aid courses, told Paws and Claws: “We should be entitled to know that our dog’s walker or groomer would know what to do in an emergency, but there are no rules in place.”

A first aid session covers basics such as CPR and choking, bandaging, spotting poisoning, dealing with stick injuries and what to do if your dog is having a seizure.

Students also learn some unusual techniques. Rachel said: “If a dog lands on a post or sharp branch they can damage the brachial artery which runs across the armpit.

“Apply pressure using your fist, hands, and fingers. Your dog’s tennis ball is a great object to use to help reduce blood loss.

“Jam it hard in the armpit and keep it there until you get to a vet. It may save their life.” Find out more about first aid courses at rachelbean.co.uk.

Star of the week

ORI the horse has helped heal the heart of her owner – who in turn is treating her injury.

Wendy Vaughan hadn’t planned to adopt a horse, let alone rehabilitate one.

But her precious pup Hank died, then Wendy heard about the ten-year-old mare which had injured the sacroiliac joint in her lower back and stepped in to save her.

Wendy, who runs The Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy, in Trowbridge, Wilts, said: “Before becoming injured in her field, Ori had been successfully competing at Advanced Medium dressage.

“I hope to get her back to her best again.”

For more info see academyvetphys.com.