Vet Pete Wedderburn has the answers

I have an 18-year-old collie who is losing his hair, but on top of that we have a young male collie who thinks it is OK to pull out the hair of the old dog. It hurts him. What can I do?

VB, VIA EMAIL

The stimulating challenge of sharing a home with a younger, more active animal can help to enliven elderly dogs who are slowing down, but you do need to step in to ensure that the older animal never feels uncomfortable or harassed. The judicious use of a dog crate (or “indoor kennel”) for either dog is a useful way of creating a temporary barrier between the two animals. Give the enclosed dog a food releasing toy to chew (for instance a Kong or K9 Connectable) to keep them entertained.

I am in the process of writing my will and want to make some bequests to animal charities. I want to deal with the cruelty to dogs in China and Korea, which I find very harrowing. Which ones would you recommend?

CM, EAST SUSSEX

The International Department of the RSPCA (rspca.org.uk/international) does a huge amount of work in China: training government officials in animal welfare issues, teaching on-the-ground inspectors, and importantly for the future, working with officials on new animal welfare legislation. World Animal Protection, formerly known as WSPA (worldanimalprotection.org) is another UK-based charity that does remarkable work for dogs in Asia, as well as in many other locations.

NEVER GIVE CORN ON THE COB TO DOGS

PL from Emsworth, Hampshire, has asked me to remind readers to keep corn cobs out of the reach of dogs. She has seen two dogs at barbecues eating these and then needing surgery to remove them. Corn cobs are indigestible and their pockmarked surface lets them lodge immovably in the intestines.

RESCUE PET

Charley is a friendly 16-yearold cat who is looking for a home with a comfy sun spot to sleep in. Contact Wadars on 01903 247111 for more information. To view outcomes of rescued pets, see petethevet.com/rescues