Do pale gums show dog isn’t in the pink?
QWe have a 12-year-old crossbreed female dog. Her teeth seem in reasonable condition but I think her gums are a bit pale. Should I see the vet about this?
AI recommend a veterinary checkup, just to be sure there is nothing seriously wrong and to reassure yourself. A general wellness check at your dog’s age is always a good idea, because it will often pick up problems before they become serious.
In a healthy dog, the gums should be salmon pink in colour (ignore black spots as these are normal).
Pale gums could be a sign that your dog is anaemic, and if after a general physical examination your vet agrees, further investigation will be advised. Signs of anaemia include black stools, lethargy, weakness, an increased rate of breathing, a fast heartbeat and a diminished appetite.
There are many causes of anaemia in dogs, and these can be broadly divided into blood loss (from parasites, intestinal ulcers or growths), failure to produce red blood cells, bone marrow disease, kidney disease or nutritional problems. A rapid breakdown of red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia), which is an immune mediated disease, is another possibility.
Initial investigations could include a complete blood count, checking red blood and white blood cell counts, and others such as platelets. A check for kidney and liver function may be useful too.
More specialised tests can check for immune mediated problems.
QI moved house over Christmas but my timid lockdown cat keeps going back to my old house, which is a 20-minute walk away. I tried keeping her in for two months but she can go missing for days on end. There is a lot of building work going on at my new house and she always had a soft spot for my ex-neighbour’s garden. What can I do?
AThis is a common problem, especially as the old house is not far away. Cats hate any change in routine and your previous home represents security, which your new home does not yet. The building work is certainly not helping.
It will be necessary to go back to square one, as if you had just moved, and start a new programme.
Before that, make sure her microchip details are up to date and get a temporary quick-release collar with your name and contact details on it to discourage anyone feeding her.
The basic objectives are to make your new home as attractive as possible from a feline viewpoint and avoid any rewards associated with the old home, such as being fed.
Keep her in again for two to four weeks and provide a comfortable pod or new bed. Feliway pheromone spray, from the vet or pet shop, may help. This has a natural calming effect.
Let her out again on a quiet Sunday when she is hungry and after a short time call her in for tasty food.
Keep repeating this, gradually increasing the time outside, and always reward her for coming back.