Q&A

Brian Faulkner has been a veterinary surgeon for 16 years and has worked all over Britain. He’s here to answer readers’ queries.

QMy labrador loves sticks and often brings them home after we’ve been on walks. But a friend of mine told me this could be bringing weird diseases into our garden that could harm him. Is that right?

John, via email I wouldn’t be that worried about diseases from sticks – it’s the splinters in the mouth that can cause some real problems for dogs.

That said, there is a disease called seasonal canine illness that can be serious and is associated with certain woodland areas. Most cases are seen between August and November, with dogs suffering from sickness and diarrhoea. Problem is, we don’t know why this disease develops or the risk factors. But it is rare so don’t panic.

With vet Brian Faulkner