Vet Pete Wedderburn has the answers
We recently adopted a five-year-old ex-breeding spaniel, Poppy. She suffers from an intermittent runny tummy, which has mostly responded to a special “gastrointestinal” diet from our vet. We want to get her on to a standard type of diet now: how do we choose one?
DN, LANCASHIRE Veterinary gastrointestinal diets include specific ingredients that are bland and highly digestible, and they are formulated carefully, so that they do not vary between different batches. In contrast, many standard dog food labels list broad groups of generic ingredients (for example “meat and animal derivatives”), which allow manufacturers to vary the recipe between batches, depending on price and availability of products. This can suit many dogs but, with any animal prone to digestive upsets, it’s better to use a premium-type dog food with specific listed ingredients (e.g. chicken meal and rice) that are unlikely to upset the digestive tract. Many options are available online, at vets and in pet shops.
Archie, our four-year-old black and white long-haired rescue cat, has always had a problem with excessive sneezing. When he sneezes it is like someone with an allergy. What could be wrong? Our vet has checked
CM, SHEFFIELD
Allergies to pollens, dusts or other airborne substances are possible, but you’d normally notice seasonal peaks and troughs or specific incidents linked to sneezing (e.g. the use of aerosol hairspray near him). Another common cause is a chronic viral infection with one of the “cat flu” viruses (herpesvirus or calicivirus). If he was infected in his youth, he could have a long-term dormant infection that re-emerges from time to time, causing nasal inflammation that makes him sneeze. This is similar to recurrent human cold sores. Definite diagnosis needs extra tests by your vet. If this was proved, antiviral medication may help.
DON’T LEAVE DOG BOWLS OR TOYS OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT
Slug and snail activity reaches a peak at this time of the year, meaning that dogs are at a greater risk of contracting potentially fatal lungworm infections by eating these common garden visitors. To minimise this risk, keep items that dogs are likely to lick or chew indoors overnight. If your pet does come into contact with slugs and snails, make sure that you give them regular specific lungworm preventive medication.
RESCUE PET
Zeb is a sweet 12-year-old cat who loves to sit on a lap and have head scratches and cuddles. If you think you may be able to offer Zeb a loving home call 01243 641409 or visit crrc.co.uk.
To view outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/ rescues
Send queries to petsubjects@telegraph. co.uk or tweet @PeteTheVet. All sick animals should be taken to a vet