Ask The Vet

Dear Sean,

I have a 2 year old chocolate Labrador. She has epilepsy and I was wondering if getting her neutered might have any risks? Could she have a seizure under the anesthetic? Ailish

Hi Ailish,

If her epilepsy is under control, the risk of giving her a general anaesthetic should be no higher than in any other dog. You will need to speak to your own vet though, because he or she knows your dog best. General anaesthetic drugs reduce activity in the brain, so a seizure while she was anaesthetised would be extremely unlikely. It’s good that you are thinking of getting her neutered because this will protect her from some nasty conditions.

Dear Sean,

My 1 year old chinchilla is very grumpy and he bites me. He gets let out and I give him fresh food and we try to hold him once a day, so he has lots of company, but he seems not to like me. Please can you give me some advice? Meg

Hi Meg,

Chinchillas, and other pets, usually behave like this because they weren’t handled enough when they were young (e.g. at the breeder’s) so they didn’t get used to being handled. This makes them scared of being handled now and causes them to bite. Always be very calm and gentle around him. When he’s out, in a room where he can’t escape, put some food on the floor in front of you and let him take it. Gradually move the food closer to you each day. As he gets more comfortable near you, offer him some from your hand. When he’s happy with this you can try to stroke him. Then you can move on to picking him up. It takes patience but is worth it.

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,

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

 

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.