DR BRUCE CHARD

contact@northharbourvet.co.nz MY bichon frise cross puppy was neutered at 5 months old and the vet also removed some of his baby teeth. Now he is 9 months old and still has one upper fang baby tooth. Should I have it removed and will he need an anaesthetic?

Unfortunately yes he should have it removed and he will need an anaesthetic. All puppies have their deciduous teeth replaced starting at 4 months and finishing by 6-7 months. The permanent teeth cause the roots of the baby teeth to be absorbed as they erupt and most will fall out by the time the permanent tooth is fully erupted. In small breed dogs some teeth are prone to not be displaced. If the baby tooth is left it tends to catch food and so can cause damage to the permanent tooth. Treatment involves removal of the baby tooth under a general anaesthetic leading to a healthy mouth.

Felix, our 15-year-old cat, has been losing some weight, yet still seems active and eats well. Is his weight loss a result of him getting older?

Have your vet check Felix as soon as possible. The clinic will have a record of his weight from past visits. Older cats will gradually lose a little weight but loss of more than 500 grams needs to be investigated. Your vet will assess if Felix is suffering from any disease. Two conditions that can lead to weight loss despite a good appetite are an over active thyroid or diabetes. The other concern with an older cat is kidney failure. Weight loss may be subtle even if the appetite seems unaffected. Kidney failure is usually accompanied by increased drinking and passing more urine. Your vet will examine Felix and have blood and urine tests done to make a diagnosis. Early treatment can lead to longer survival.