DR BRUCE CHARD

contact@northharbourvet.co.nz I have three Red Shaver hens all 18 months old in my city back yard. Unfortunately my labrador bit one which has been treated. Sadly she was the only one of the three still laying eggs. How do I get the other two to lay?

The usual pattern for hens to lay eggs is over a span of 12 months. At five-six months they begin laying eggs and 90 per cent of hens will be laying after sixeight weeks. This declines to 65 per cent 12 months after this initial laying. It is normal to have a rest period then and go into a moult. Increase in daylight hours stimulates laying so they may restart soon. Feed only a goodquality laying food and have a source of calcium and lots of fresh water. Treat for lice and mites and give a worm preparation. Many hens will not lay beyond 2-3 years so you may have to invest in some new pullets.

My 9-year-old cat, Myo, has been diagnosed with tooth resorption in two teeth and needs treatment. What is this and why can’t the teeth be saved?

Each tooth consists of a chamber containing blood vessels and nerves which connect to the body through the root of the tooth. This sensitive chamber is covered by bony material called dentin which protects the sensitive tissue. In tooth resorption the dentin wears away leading to loss of the upper part of the tooth or the roots. The cause is unknown and unfortunately the only treatment is removal of the tooth. Myo may not show signs but often the affected teeth are sensitive when probed. She may show pain when eating or go off her food and may dribble saliva with a sore tooth. She will need an anaesthetic and ideally X-rays o before removal of the affected ones.