My dog is losing fur and seems in pain
MY Staffie Whippet Cross, Basil, is about 10 and is losing his fur in some places. He whinges when I touch the bald area, even just gently. Is there a cream that could help him?
BALDNESS and tenderness could be caused by a number of conditions. Certain hormonal diseases can cause fur loss and thin skin, while allergies can cause very sensitive, itchy skin. On top of either of these problems he might have a skin infection that would need a medicated shampoo to treat. As poor Basil is suffering some discomfort from this, it is important you get him checked by your vet. They can investigate the cause and advise you on the right treatment for him.
I HAD my dog microchipped a few years ago, but now I can’t find the paperwork or chip number. My daughter is now taking on my dog and I need to change the ownership details, how do I do this?
IF you contact your usual vet, they will be able to scan your dog’s microchip and look up the details of the company they are registered with. Once you have this information you just need to contact the database company and update the ownership details. Some do charge a small admin fee for this.
OUR cat Moppet has fleas and I don’t know how to get rid of them. We bought medicine but this hasn’t helped. What else can I do?
WHEN trying to get rid of fleas, it’s important to treat both your pet and your home. Flea treatments for your pet will kill adult fleas that bite your cat, but 95 per cent of fleas live in the environment. Fleas, eggs and larvae can live in cracks and crevices in flooring, under skirting boards and in material like carpets, bedding and towels where your pets sleep. If you have an active flea infestation in your pets, then unless you treat your home regularly with a household spray as well, the problem will continue as new fleas hatch. Washing your pet’s bedding at 60 or above and vacuuming regularly is also important to break the flea life-cycle. Even with all these steps it can take a few weeks to get the fleas under control and it’s important to keep up treatments as flea pupae (a protected dormant stage like a caterpillar cocoon) can survive for up to a year and no treatments will be able to kill them until they emerge. Remember, a dog flea treatment must never be used on a cat, as this can cause fatal poisoning.
DO my pet guinea pigs need grooming, or will they do it themselves?
LONG-haired guinea pigs need regular grooming to avoid a matted coat. Short-haired piggies do usually look after themselves, but grooming can help you bond as well as provide a useful opportunity to check their skin. A good pet shop will be able to advise you about the best brush to use. Always work in the direction of the coat and never brush the hair the wrong way. If your guinea pigs do stop grooming themselves or your guinea pigs’ hair becomes matted, it is best to take them to your vet so their health can be checked.