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Ask The Vet
Dear Sean,
I’m getting a tortoise but I already have 2 cats. Will they be ok together and is there anything I should do or be aware of? Lauren
Hi Lauren,
Tortoises can be difficult pets to look after properly because they need the right living conditions and the right food so, as with all pets, it’s important to do your homework first. There’s good info at www.tortoisetrust.org. Watch your cats when they first meet your tortoise. They might have a look and a sniff, but shouldn’t bother him. If they do, you’ll need to separate them so that the tortoise doesn’t become injured. Dogs can cause very serious injuries to tortoises and should never have unsupervised contact.  Dear Sean,
What age can I bath my new puppy from? Emma
Hi Emma,
As a general rule of thumb, a puppy shouldn’t be bathed until they’re about 4 weeks old, unless your vet advises doing it sooner. Puppies get cold very easily, so make sure you bath them in a draft-free area and dry them straight away. It’s also important to use a puppy shampoo, as ones for adults can irritate their skin. Get them used to being bathed gradually by giving them treats and praise – first for being in the bath, then with the water is running, then when they let you put some water on them. You should only bath a dog or puppy from time to time, or if they get dirty, because it removes natural oils which keep the skin healthy. 
Dear Sean,
I'm starting to find small cuts on my guinea pig's body, and I think he's doing it to himself. What can I do to stop him? Emily
Hi Emily,
You need to take your guinea pig to be checked by a vet. It sounds as though he may be scratching at himself, and this can be because of a skin irritation. Mites (little insects that live on our pets' skin) can cause this. Also, if his skin is cut, his skin might have become infected, so he might need some antibiotics. Your vet will give him a thorough examination and can prescribe any treatment that he might need. 
Dear Sean,
My 2-year-old house rabbit has started thumping. What should I do? Katie
Hi Katie,
This can be a sign that your rabbit is scared or unhappy about something. Rabbits should usually be kept in pairs, and the best combination is a neutered male with a neutered female. Neutering not only allows rabbits to live together without having unwanted babies, but it also has health benefits and can make them calmer - this might also help with the thumping. Try to identify what your rabbit might be scared or upset about. Ask your veterinary practice about neutering, and for further advice about the thumping. 
Dear Sean,
I have an English Bullmastiff and recently she’s started to lose patches of hair. Why might this be?
Susan Bushnell
Hi Susan,
You should take your dog to be checked by a vet. Fur loss (which vets call “alopecia”) can be a sign of several different health problems, such as infection, parasites or a hormone problem.
Your vet might need to do some tests to help make the diagnosis, and will then be able to recommend any necessary treatment. 
Dear Sean,
My hamster keeps putting her food in her wheel. It's making a mess and stopping her from going in it. How can I stop her? Genevieve
Hi Genevieve,
Hamsters like to store food in favourite places, and sometimes the places they pick can seem strange to us. If we move their food, though, this can reduce their sense of security in their cage and can be stressful for them. I would suggest only removing the food if it's becoming unhygienic. She probably won't always use her wheel to store food, and, in the meantime, if she's got a nice, big cage with different levels to explore and other toys to climb on, she'll still be able to get the exercise she needs.
Dear Sean,
My dog has a tick on her back, how can we get rid of it?
Rachel Hope
Hi Rachel,
You should use a special tick-removing device, such as a tick hook, which can be bought from veterinary practices or pet shops.
It’s important, when removing a tick, that you don’t leave the mouthparts behind, so this is why you should use the special device. If the mouthparts aren’t properly removed they can become infected or can irritate your dog’s skin.
If this is the first time your dog has got a tick, you could ask your veterinary practice to show you what to do.  Dear Sean,
We have just bought a kitten but she’s not getting on well with our dog. What can I do?
Katie Jarvis
Dear Katie,
It can take time for a kitten and dog to get used to each other, so you will all need to be patient.
Safety is important so that neither get injured, so you should keep your dog on a lead, and your kitten in an enclosed pen, when they’re meeting each other for the first few times.
Reward your dog with praise or a healthy treat when he’s calm around the kitten, and walk him calmly away if either of them get excited or anxious. Gradually, they should come to accept each other. If they don’t, ask at your veterinary practice for more advice. |
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