Pet Questions and Answers

TO SPAY OR NOT TO SPAY?

I have a six month old Springer Spaniel. Would you recommend neutering her?

Neutering is an ovario-hysterectomy operation which literally means removal of her womb and ovaries. This is commonly carried out either just before or 2-3 months after her heat after 6 months of age. The main reason this is carried out is she will not have any ‘seasons’ during which she will usually spot blood, become attractive to male dogs and could become pregnant if mated. Other health advantages often not considered include elimination of pyometra (a womb infection) later in life which can be life threatening, and a much reduced risk of mammary cancer if carried out at an early age. The main disadvantage is that your pet may be prone to weight gain but this can be overcome in most cases with dietary adjustment. Statistically neutered female dogs have less health problems than entire bitches!

TEETHING PROBLEMS!

My rabbit has been losing weight over the previous 2 months and dribbling a lot, What causes this and what can I do about it?

80% of rabbit problems are dental related and it is likely this is the case with your rabbit. Unlike us rabbits have teeth that grow all their lives and get worn down by chewing fibrous food. If rabbits teeth grow at an odd angle or abnormal rate they may overgrow and cause pain and difficulty swallowing. This can be a hereditary condition is thought to be caused by the wrong calcium to posphate ratio at a young age. Feeding a balanced commercial rabbit food and not letting them selectively feed by using a pelleted version may go a long way towards preventing this. Contact your local veterinary surgeon who will be able to treat this by filing the incisors or cheek teeth flat.

TOO MUCH SUNBATHING!

Why does my cat has sore areas on the tips of her ears where her fur is white?

The condition is likely to be due to sunburn of the white non-pigmented areas which lack melanin. The tips of the ears and nose are common sites to see the condition in white cats or cats with white patches in these areas. It starts as a reddened area which can become scaly (solar dermatitis), if this is left without treatment cancerous changes may occur over a prolonged time (squamous cell carcinoma). Susceptible cats should be treated with waterproof sunblock daily if they go outside to prevent the condition progressing. Severely affected cases may need ear or nasal surgery.