Vet Pete Wedderburn has the answers
Is there a formula to work out how large a puppy will grow? I have taken on a 22-week-old crossbred border collie, and he already seems large for his breed and age. He weighs 18kg.
SD, BERKSHIRE
This is not an absolute science; there are different ways of making an educated guess. I have seen online calculators that claim to predict adult weights from puppy sizes, but when I have used these, the results do not always seem to tally with the accurate growth charts for various breeds that I’ve seen in textbooks. The clue here is the word “cross-bred”. Pedigree dogs may nearly always match the body weight range of the breed standard (eg 12-20kg for border collies) but when one half of a pup’s ancestry is unknown, it’s impossible to predict the final body weight.
My young cat (eight months old) drools copiously when happy and purring, kneading me with her paws. It’s so bad that I need to wipe her down. Could there be something wrong? She doesn’t drool like this at any other time.
SB, PRESTON
This is most likely a throwback to a kitten behaviour linked to kneading at her mother’s mammary gland to promote milk flow; the saliva is produced as a reflex to lubricate the digestive tract prior to drinking milk. Many cats continue this throughout their adult life whenever they are contented and relaxed. If she drooled at other times, it could indicate an underlying illness (such as dental disease) but the fact that it’s only when she’s purring makes this very unlikely. She sounds like a very affectionate cat.
GETTING COVID-19 PUPS READY FOR THE WORLD
Puppies taken on during lockdown have missed out on everyday life and the variety of a normal routine. Without action to prepare them now, they may be in danger of becoming overwhelmed by normal social activities as measures ease. Blue Cross is offering puppy owners video advice for these young pets to help them grow into confident, happy adult dogs. See bluecross.org.uk/petadvice/puppies-in-lockdown
RESCUE PET
Marla is a seven-year-old lurcher cross who has spent a year waiting for a new home at the William & Patricia Venton Animal Centre, run by RSPCA Cornwall. She’s sweet, gentle and very affectionate. See rspca.org.uk/local/ cornwall-branch/findapet
To view outcomes of rescued pets: petethevet.com/rescues
Send queries to petsubjects@ telegraph.co.uk or tweet @ PeteTheVet. All sick animals should be taken to a vet