From flatulent dogs to cats losing their meow — your pet queries answered

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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.”

This week, our pet vet helps a bulldog suffering from tummy troubles

Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can ‘help keep pets happy and healthy’

Q) I DON’T have a dog, I have a whoopee cushion!

My bulldog Rosie, seven, has wind to the point where we’ve given her the nickname Whoopsee. She is on a hypoallergenic diet already.

Is there a suitable supplement? Her stomach gurgles a lot and we give her omeprazole to settle her tummy.

Steven Kwame, 60 Seaton Delaval, Northumberland

A) Not wanting to cause offence, but bulldogs might be the whiffiest of breeds. They can definitely clear a room.

Alongside the hypoallergenic diet, there are some digestive supplements for dogs. It might come down to trial and error. Some use psyllium husk to add fibre, others pre or probiotics to help the natural gut flora.

Don’t be tempted to use human supplements, though. Some can be harmful for dogs while yoghurt and probiotic drinks are out too, as most dogs are lactose-intolerant. So these are likely to make the gas worse.

Q) MY cat Pumpkin, who is nine, has lost her meow.

She is eating well but has always been very vocal, particularly when food is around. Can cats get sore throats, as we do?

Brenda Thomson, 60, Burnley

A) They can lose their voice to a sore throat, yes, and a common reason is gum disease or inflammation from sore gums.

Have you had her checked at the vet recently? If not, it is worth booking an exam of her mouth, gums and glands in her neck.

There are a few other things the vet will check for and recommend to get Pumpkin back on top form and crying loudly for breakfast again.

Emma wants to know if there are alternatives to steroids to treat her border collie’s sore eye

Q) MY border collie Bob continually has a sore eye – to the extent that the vet removed a red lump on it due to inflammation.

They have recommended steroids but is this a good idea in the long term? Could you suggest alternatives?

Emma Brewer, 38, Portsmouth

A) I always say: “If I can’t see the eyes, I can’t advise.” There are loads of things that could be causing this and all are treated differently, so I can’t give specific advice here.

You really have to go with your vet’s advice, as they have examined Bob and know his history.

Get a second opinion from another vet in person or ask for referral to a vet eye specialist.

Eyes are definitely not something you should leave to chance.

Tails.com provides tailor-made nutritional food for pets

Tails.com provides tailor-made nutritional food for pets

Q) BRUCE, my cockapoo, is eight and has had the snip – but always seems frisky with my other dog Peachy, who is ten.

It annoys her and is an embarrassment sometimes when we are out. Any suggestions?

Liz Brown, 40, Liskeard, Cornwall

A) Cold water, Liz, that will dampen his spirits. Only joking — don’t do that.

This is nothing to worry about from a behavioural perspective, even if Peachy might disagree.

It is probably just pent-up energy, frustration and excitement when he wants to play.

Firstly, he needs more exercise. Try to redirect the behaviour, when it happens, with distractions and reward him when he quits. For homework, look up the “response substitution” training technique.

Star of the week

HENRIETTA travelled 90 miles under a lorry before she was rescued.

A food delivery driver picked up a load in Lincolnshire and drove to Borehamwood, Herts, before finding her when she popped out from underneath the trailer.

Henrietta the hen travelled 90 miles under a lorry before she was rescued

The RSPCA was called as no one could work out how Henrietta got there or where she came from.

She has been adopted by Hilary Carlen, 64, of nearby Brookmans Park, and lives with six other former battery hens, happily laying eggs.

Hilary, a retired nurse, said: “She’s pretty strong. I don’t think most hens would have survived that kind of stress. She seemed absolutely unruffled.

“She loves life with my other rescue hens. They are wonderful pets.”

Talent scouts in a flap over birds

GIFTED birds are becoming a big noise on social media, following in the pawprints of stars such as Doug The Pug and Grumpy Cat.

Senegal parrot Scout can ride on a skateboard, play basketball and push a shopping trolley.

Senegal parrot Scout has built up quite the following thanks to his impressive tricks

Layla Flaherty, of the agency Urban Paws, which represents Scout, says: “She’s such a talented girl and is an in-demand influencer thanks to her huge following on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

“Scout has done a TV advert for Uswitch and been on Sky Kids’ Play Your Pets Right.

“She’s up there with our dog models and actors when it comes to talent.”
Scout lives with Sara Hannant, 30, an IT worker from Cheltenham, Gloucs.

Sara began training her after buying Scout as a chick five years ago by following tips on YouTube.

She rewards the bird for following commands with her favourite sugarsnap peas or sunflower seeds.

Sara says: “Parrots are so intelligent. I put my videos online to encourage others to give training a go.”

  • Learn more about superstar pets at urbanpawsuk.com.

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