Help and advice for every animal-lover How can I help my parrot’s bad cough? Ask the vet
I HAVE a 10-month-old parrot called Charlie who has recently started coughing a lot and has a runny nose and eyes. He’s also had diarrhoea; what could be the problem?
These symptoms could be a sign of a range of illnesses and so you’ll need to take Charlie to a vet with experience of treating birds as soon as possible so they can examine him and give him any treatment necessary. Birds can develop some illnesses that can be passed to people, so be very careful when handling him and when cleaning out his cage, make sure that you wear protective clothing and gloves then wash your hands thoroughly after you’ve removed them. You’ll also need to be careful to cover your mouth and nose so you don’t breathe in feather dust and feathers. If anyone else in the house is feeling unwell then do see your doctor.
MY seven-year-old female cat has suddenly started to lick my net curtains! I’ve got two male cats as well but they don’t do this, can you explain why she might be doing this?
I’d recommend that you take your cat to see you vet. If your cat is feeling unwell and has some underlying health problem this can cause unusual behaviour. If she is given a clean bill of health, her behaviour may be due to stress or anxiety. Some cats will groom as a way of coping with stress. Make sure that you have enough resources for your cats, so they have enough litter trays, bowls and toys, one for each cat, plus one. Cats also appreciate a safe haven, dens on cat shelves are useful. You might also find that a
TOBY is a super cute wee Jack Russell terrier now ready to find his happy ever after.
He has a very sweet nature and loves nothing more than to jump up on your lap for a good cuddle and plenty of TLC.
Toby enjoys going out for his walks and is very good on his lead. He is an excitable little guy with a lot of energy to burn so will need plenty of physical and mental stimulation in his new home. This will also help him shift those extra pounds he is carrying. Toby could live with older children.
If you think you could give Toby the home he needs, contact the Glasgow centre on 03000 999 999.
pheromone diffuser helps to relax her, but discuss this at your local vet practice, they’ll be able to offer further advice.
MY three-year-old cat Betsy shakes her head all the time. Could there be something wrong with her ear?
There may be a few reasons causing Betsy to shake her head, including ear mites or an infection. Occasionally head shaking can be caused by something stuck in the ear, such as a grass seed. These problems can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort so Betsy needs to see your vet for a check-up. They will examine her ears and advise on suitable treatment. Ear drops
might be prescribed and your vet will explain how they should be administered.
RECENTLY my dog went all shaky and wouldn’t move from his bed. Since then, he’s been sleeping more and his legs seem to be quite stiff. Could he have had an epileptic fit?
I’d recommend that you get your dog checked over by your vet as it could be one of many conditions and not necessarily due to epilepsy. Most people recognise seizures when the animal or person is shaking violently, loses consciousness and limbs are outstretched rigidly, but seizures can come in varying degrees and don’t always present themselves in the same way, your vet will be the best person to assess this and your vet might need to do some tests.
Send your questions to askthevet@pdsa.org.uk. To find out if your pet is eligible for free PDSA treatment, call 0800 7312502. Glasgow PDSA PetAid Hospitals: 1 Shamrock Street (0141 332 6944), Muiryfauld Drive, Tollcross(0141 763 0800).