Ask our expert

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing answers all your pet questions

What you need to know to take the best care of your pet with our PDSA vet expert.

Dear PDSA vet, my cat, Elsa, is being neutered next week. I usually look after my grandchildren on the day she is due home.

Will she be okay around them? Thanks, Pat

Hi Pat, Elsa will need peace and quiet after surgery.

If you can arrange for someone else to have your grandchildren, or make sure Elsa has her own space to recover away from them, that would be ideal.

Elsa will need a comfortably warm, quiet room so she can rest undisturbed for as long as she needs.

Make sure she has familiar bedding, so she feels relaxed.

Your vets should give you specific advice for Elsa, but it’s important she doesn’t jump up onto anything such as a sofa, window ledge or cupboard.

If she wants to sit next to you on the sofa, carefully lift her up, making sure you support her back end, so she doesn’t stretch or pull anything – then down again when she is ready.

Dear PDSA vet, I have started noticing blood in my dog’s stool.

Should I be worried? Thanks, Tanya

Hi Tanya, seeing blood in your dog’s stool can be worrying.

There can be many possible causes, ranging from an upset tummy or new medication to more serious conditions, so you should book an appointment with your vet.

Take a sample or photograph of what’s been passed, so they can take a closer look.

They may also ask you if your dog’s been taking any new medication or treatments, even online or over the counter products, so advise them of anything you’ve been using.

Let your vet know of any other symptoms such as vomiting, pale gums, low energy, eating or drinking less than usual, bruising or being unsteady on their feet.

Dear PDSA vet, my cat Snowbell is always itching, especially around her face, ears and neck. Could she have developed an allergy? She’s 2. Thanks, Lucy

Hi Lucy, just like people, cats can develop allergies.

However, your vet will want to check Snowbell over first, to make sure that she does not have any pesky parasites like fleas.

Once this has been ruled out then your vet may want to do some investigations and they’ll ask lots of questions, which may point them in the direction of what’s causing the problem. Allergies develop over time, pets can be allergic to many different things and it can take some time to get to the bottom of the issue. Sadly, an exact cause of the allergy may never be identified and the best that can be achieved is control of the condition. Your vet may consider her food too, especially if you’ve recently changed to a new diet.