Do you have questions about your cat or dog’s health? Seresto Flea and Tick Control collar have called on the TV vet and animal expert, Rory Cowlam, to answer your questions - £200 voucher to be won

[BellaMumsnet]

Please note, we are no longer taking questions on this thread.

Whatever life may bring, our pets are always there to love us unconditionally. As an important part of the family, it’s only right we treat them with the utmost care they deserve. With this in mind, Rory Cowlam, Seresto’s expert vet, will be on hand to help answer your questions on your cat’s or dog’s healthcare.

Here’s some more information about Rory the Vet:

“Rory is a respected voice within the veterinary industry with an ever-growing career in broadcast. His warmth and knowledge shine through on his regular appearances on programmes such as ITV's Lorraine, BBC's Blue Peter, CBBC HQ as well as BBC Breakfast and Sky News. A graduate from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015 he has since gone on to a full-time career as a member of the Neighbourhood vet practice based in East Dulwich, London. Rory's ethos is based around education and communication which saw him become an Amazon best-selling author in 2020 with his debut book ‘Secret Life of a Vet’ published by Hodder.”

Here’s what Seresto has to say:

“You don’t want to be thinking about fleas and ticks when you should be enjoying play time with your pet! We at Seresto are keen to ensure that nothing gets in the way of the special bond between you and your pet. We know life is busy, and monthly flea and tick treatments can feel like just another thing to try and remember. That’s why Seresto collars provide 7-8 continuous months of flea and tick protection, allowing you to forget monthly treatments once and for all. Give your pet Seresto - the long-lasting flea and tick protection that lets pets play on!”

So whether you have a question on how to prevent your pet from getting fleas and ticks, or maybe this is the first time you’ve had a dog and want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep them happy and healthy, post your question on this thread for Rory the Vet to answer. Rory will be back on the week of the 3rd May to answer some of your questions.

Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Thanks to everyone who posted a question for Rory to answer. The winner of the prize draw is @Cotswoldmama - congratulations!

Hi @Sacreblue - thanks for your message! Rory will be back to answer questions this week, it should be tomorrow but we're waiting for final confirmation

Thanks Bella

Offending plague ridden cat sat behind my head currently 😂 hoping he can help so I don’t have to buy her a wee bell

tinkle, tinkle unclean, unclean, do not pet

Hi everyone, thanks for all of your questions about your cat and dog's health. I hope you find this Q&A helpful. RC

@DoctorBambino

What is the best way to introduce a dog to a new baby?

Hi @DoctorBambino. This can be a really stressful time! It's all about patience and taking it slow. I usually recommend getting the dog used to crying baby sounds well before the baby arrives. You can do this by playing recordings of babies crying (I haven't looked but I'm sure YouTube would come in handy here!) Once the baby is there, then its all about making your dog feel like they're still a part of the family. Of course you are going to want to spend all your time with your new-born but try and make at least an hour a day to spend with the dog, both you and your partner.

@lovemyflipflops

I have a long haired short legged dog - and groom and bath when he gets dirty paws - is there a product I can add to his shampoo which will help (he is a Maltese)

Hi @lovemyflipflops. I would start by recommending that you don't wash him more than about every month - over bathing dogs can actually dry their coats and lead to dry and flaky skin. I would make sure to target wash his paws if he gets them mucky regularly. I generally recommend oatmeal based shampoos as they are great for sensitive skin.

@numberoneson

My question's not about parasites at all, since you didn't specify exactly what type of health problems could be asked about .... mine is: my Chinese Crested Dog, who's 9, has been diagnosed as having a Grade 2 heart murmer and I'd really like to know more about this. For instance is it bound to worsen, or might it stay at Grade 2? (He's feeling fit & well & playful in himself) Are there other complications which might arise as a result of his heart murmer? Is his lifespan likely to be affected?

Hi @numberoneson. Great question! And no worries it isn't about parasites. So a heart murmur is NOT a disease. All it is is an extra sound that your vet has heard between the normal "lub-dub" beats of the heart. A murmur CAN be an indication that your dog might have an underlying change in his heart or it could be caused by something else. My general recommendation is to have an echocardiogram which will tell you more about what your dog's heart looks like structurally, what, if any, disease process is there, and give you an idea of long term prognosis and treatment.

@Cotswoldmama

Does anti fur ball dried cat food work? Our 14 year old cat long haired cat seems to be coughing up more fur balls than usual but it could just be her age and that she's not leaving the house so much where she may have coughed them up previously outside so we didn't notice!

Hi @Cotswoldmama. Agh, the dreaded fur balls! If you're having a particular problem, you can try hairball foods or paraffin/laxative treatment gels. I usually find they both work really well. Do be careful not to mistake real vomiting or hairballs though and get to your vet if you're worried!

@Carriecakes80

Hiya! How often should you bathe your dog? and what is the best dog shampoo to use for them? And should I ever bathe my young cat. She's just turned a year old and loves water! Thanks! :-)

Hi @Carriecakes80. My general recommendation is to bathe dogs no more than once a month. I personally try to bathe my dog as little as possible. Bathing too much can actually dry out their skin! As for shampoos, I like to use oatmeal based shampoos as they're hydrating and soothing to the skin. Remember though that even the most sensitive shampoo can irritate the skin. As for cats, you're brave to try it! I wouldn't generally recommend bathing cats unless they manage to get themselves covered in something nasty but if your cat likes water, give it a try!

@Blueberry40

My dog has refused to eat in the mornings for a month or so- I think he’s hungry as sometimes he will vomit bile but just refuses to eat. He eats fine later in the day and has a big meal at dinner time but is there a reason why he no longer wants to eat breakfast?

Hi @Blueberry40. Getting dogs to eat can drive you mad! It can be so tricky. Honestly if you're sure there is nothing medically wrong (a vet visit may be in order) then I would suggest either a diet change, or even consider reducing the amount of food you're feeding in the evenings as they might have got themselves into the habit of overeating at night to make up for no brekky!

@Downriver

Why does my cat sit in any box that enters the house? She sits in one all day. Is she depressed?

Hi @Downriver. Cats just LOVE boxes! I would guess your cat is probably just very happy sitting in box all day! If you're worried you could try playing with a toy or a laser pointer but I wouldn't worry too much. Cats actually like boxes as they feel enclosed and safe - they like to feel like they can see out, while you cant see in!

@fishnships

Because of lockdown last year we missed our cat's yearly booster. Now she has to re-start and have two jabs four weeks apart. What are the possible consequences?

Hi @fishnships. I'm afraid this is a really common situation at the moment. Generally vaccinations are really inert and safe medications. It can really vary depending on whether your cat is indoor or outdoor, as well as how old they are. I would suggest you speak to your vet about what is best for your cat.

@picklemewalnuts

How do I clean my dog's ears? One is a bit inflamed from constant scratching- ear mites are an ongoing problem. How can we treat them? He hates us going near his ears.

Hi @picklemewalnuts. This can be really tricky, especially in a dog who doesn't like their ears being touched! I would suggest you try and book an appointment with a nurse at your local vet's, as they will be able to show you how to do this properly. I usually recommend using a dog specific ear cleaner, squirt this into the ear gently, making sure to have a good grip so that your dog doesn't just shake it all out. Then, grab the base of the ear, the cartilaginous bit, and rub this gently to make a squelching sound. Do this for about 30 seconds then let your dog shake their head and wipe away any excess.

@EvilHerbivore

I have cats that are siblings (boy/girl) from the same litter. Sometimes they love each other but sometimes they break out into fighting (usually her on him). They have both been neutered. I know siblings will fight but is there any way to achieve harmony most of the time?

Hi @EvilHerbivore. Sounds a bit like me and my sister! No, only joking. Unfortunately, cats will be cats. They are super territorial and solitary animals so we often see scrapping between cats, even in siblings. The best thing you can do is try and keep your house as stress free as possible for them. Make sure they have beds in many areas to prevent competition, have a litter tray down (even for outdoor cats) and always feed them in different areas, ideally where there is no line of sight between them!

@EdgeOfFortyNine

Our very lively and active dog is nearly five. A couple of times over the last year he's shown signs of mild discomfort in his back hip. The vet said it's possibly that he's just over-done things for a few days and advised plenty of rest. Is there anything else we can do to prevent further problems? Any supplements you would recommend? We're aware of hip dysplasia. Thank you.

Hi @EdgeOfFortyNine. I suppose in this case you have a few options. Option one is to carry on monitoring him, resting him when necessary and yes, starting something like a joint supplement may well help long term. Option two is to go looking for a cause, but it may be that you want to wait for it to become a bit more significant before going down this line. X-rays are often the first step for suspected joint disease. As for joint supplements, I generally don't advise glucosamine or chondroitin as they seem to have been debunked in the last few years. I usually prefer omega three and six supplements as they have a bit more scientific backing.

@voyager50

My friend's cat looks like it has been attacked by another cat - she doesn't want to take him to the vet as she says it is healing but should he be checked out in case the wounds get infected?

Hi @voyager50. This is a tricky one! For me it really depends on how the cat is in itself. If he/she is eating, drinking and seems well, then often cats heal amazingly well. Of course, a vet check is often great for peace of mind and quicker resolution in these cases.

@pushchairprincess

My 11 year old Westie has just started snarling when I groom him, I've tried doing less grooming more often, with treats inbetween to calm him, do you think this is just due to old age and being grumpy, or he has an underlying issue with being in discomfort - maybe arthritis in his kneck. What do you recommend re grooming - this is where I can catch any fleas he may have lurking

Hi @pushchairprincess. Grooming is really important so its great that you do this for him - as you say you can help remove dead fur and catch early signs of any critters in his coat. I would be a bit worried that he is starting to growl as the grooming has become painful! Neck and back pain would be top of my list too, I think its time for a vet visit!

@TheBullfinch

My 14 year old cat had Hyperesthesia. Is there anything that helps? I was told to switch her to a 'no additives' cat food but she wouldnt eat it. Apart from that, she lives a quiet happy life in a quiet, single person household (no stress).

Also, she's 2 months overdue her Feline Flu vaccine because of Covid. Will she need a booster too?

My vet is less than useless and the nearest good one is 7 (vomit inducing) miles away.

Hi @TheBullfinch. Hyperaesthesia can be really tricky to get on top of! It sounds like you have an ideal set up and are providing the best kind of home for her. Generally, management is all about reducing stress and keeping a calm environment. This can include using no scented candles, perfumes or air fresheners, reducing noise in and around the home and limiting the amount of human or pet traffic in and out too. As for her booster, I would speak to your vet about it as it can vary depending on vaccine brand and where in the world you are. There is sometimes a bit of a grace period though so fingers crossed!

Thanks!

@billybear

i have a six year old yorkie/poo seem to wipe his eyes every morning not infected have the hair round eyes cut short to make cleaning easier what else can i do

Hi @billybear. Oh, the dreaded poodle-cross eyes! Hair is usually a lot of the problem so you're probably doing a great job by trimming the hair around the eyes.

If you haven't already, I would definitely get your vet to have a really close look at your dog's eyelids as sometimes there can be very small wirey hairs called distichia or ectopic cilia that can make this worse. Otherwise, the only other thing to make sure is that there isn't anything irritating their eyes such as pollens, perfumes or other chemicals.

@aliloandabanana

I have a 12 year old cat who pesters me for food all day. This has got worse over the last few months - wasn't a problem until the start of this year. When he's pestering me he won't eat biscuits if I put some out, he just wants pouches. He seems to have lost a bit of weight despite eating plenty but looks healthy and happy. Should I take him to the vets?

Hi @aliloandabanana. It's so great that you have noticed all this. This will really help your vet try and get to the bottom of what is going on.

I think you should definitely give your vet a call. It may be nothing but if you were coming to me with that history then I would probably be suggesting some blood tests to rule out some of the more common diseases we see in older cats.

@FreshBedding

Hello, I am worried that my dog has the onset of canine dementia but could you tell me what the main signs/symptoms I need to look out for and what help is available for her? Many Thanks.

Hi there @FreshBedding. Oh, this can be quite a tough time. Usually with doggy dementia, we see them start to forget things, like where they are or where things are such as their bowls. Sometimes they may even panic out on a walk thinking you've left them when actually you are just lagging a bit behind. Sometimes, they even seem to lose some hearing or sight as well. Have a chat to your vet as there may be some things they can do to help.

@lfoatw2

My 10 month old kitten keeps going through periods of being sick multiple times in a week, sometimes more than once a day. I think he is regurgitating as it doesn't look digested but it isn't always after he has eaten. We have bowls to slow him down when eating but this hasn't helped. There are no changes to his diet, and blood tests came back clear. There isn't hair in it, but we are giving him anti fur ball treatment just in case. He stops for a few weeks then starts again. Any idea of things we can do to help him?

Hi @lfoatw2. Ah this sounds so frustrating, I feel your pain! So if you are already seeing your vet then that's wonderful. Great that bloods came back negative. I suppose you have a few options...

Firstly, you could continue diagnostics which would likely include a faecal test, ultrasound scan and possibly x-rays. I definitely think you should rule out something infectious if you haven't already. If you have, then I would highly recommend a food change to something hydrolysed, as with most inflammatory conditions this can help.

@ButterflyOfFreedom

Our dog keeps getting reoccurring ear infections. They don't seem to bother her and we get treatment from the vet but I just wondered what may be causing them and if there is a longer term solution to prevent future outbreaks? Thank you.

Hi @ButterflyOfFreedom. Usually, ear infections are down to one of a few things: Ear mites, malassezia yeasts or staphlyococus bacteria.

Ear mites can be prevented with spot on treatments, but the other two organisms are actually found in low levels in normal un-infected ears.

It is likely, if your dog is getting repeated infections that there is something underlying that is allowing these organisms to grow in large amounts. I would suggest the most likely thing here is an allergy, possibly to an element of their food or to environmental allergens. I would speak to your vet about how you can try and rule these out!

@buckley1983

Hi Rory! I'd love to know any top tips for getting my cats to take pills - at the moment it's a two man jpb - requiring one to hold them & the other to pop the pill in & prevent the cat from spitting it back out! We've tried crushing them up in food, wrapping them in ham, coating in butter.. but both cats are wise to my ways! It's the worming tablet specifically. Any tops tips would be warmly welcomed :) Thank you! x

Hi @buckley1983. Oh pilling cats is one of those things that will always be a challenge.

Firstly, I would speak to your vet about whether there are spot-on versions or other ways of giving your worming medications. There often are alternatives and this can make it waaaaaay less stressful.

If not, then i would suggest trying a specific pill-giving paste made for cats. They often make it super super tasty and it can mask the smell and taste of the pill better than other foods. Good luck!