Ask our expert

PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing answers all your pet questions

Dear PDSA vet, my dog Bobbi gets really anxious about going to the vet, but she’s just developed some red, itchy patches around her eyes and I’m quite worried. What can I do to help? Lindsey

Dear Lindsey, many pets don’t like going to the vet and can get anxious. There are ways to help Bobbi with this in the longer term, but right now, it’s important that she is seen by her vet so she is diagnosed properly and receives the right treatment. There are several possible causes of her condition, such as a skin infection, parasites or an allergy, all of which will need veterinary treatment.

When you book the appointment, let your vet know that Bobbi gets anxious. They may be able to recommend something to help keep her calm, or even offer a house visit.

Your veterinary practice will be able to give you advice on behavioural techniques to reduce the stress of future visits. Dear PDSA Vet, I recently noticed that my cat, Cherry, has lost two of his back teeth, and he also seems to have gone off his food. What could be wrong? Vance

Dear Vance, there are quite a few medical conditions that can cause a cat to lose their appetite but, if Cherry has lost some teeth, he may be suffering from dental disease.

This can make the mouth feel sore, which could explain why he is less interested in eating his food.

Any pet that stops eating properly should be taken to a vet so the cause can be investigated.

If dental problems are diagnosed, Cherry may need further treatment to relieve his pain and prevent any more problems from developing. It’s a good idea to have your cat’s teeth checked regularly by your vet to help spot any problems early on.

Dear PDSA Vet, My dog accidently got her tail caught in the door the other day and the tip of it came off. There was some blood – not much – so I cleaned and dressed it. Should I still get her seen by a vet? Phyliss Dear Phyliss, tails on both dogs and cats are unfortunately at risk of getting caught, trapped and trodden on, so it’s always wise to stay vigilant and be aware of where our pets are, to keep them safe.

It’s always best to see your vet whenever your pet gets injured, so the vet can ensure any wounds are cleaned thoroughly and that they are dressed, and operated on if needed, hopefully preventing infection. For pet firstaid advice, visit www. pdsa.org. uk/petfirstaid website. Pay your vet a visit to ensure the wound is healing and that the vet can provide treatment and some pain relief.