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

[RorytheVet]

@frogface69

My elderly cat, 15 years old has recently started to snore. Really loud. She wakes herself up sometimes. Could there be a medical reason for this? She is fine in herself.

Hi @frogface69. There indeed could be a medical reason for this. Equally, it might be normal. If she is otherwise well and there are no visible changes to her throat or neck then it is less likely to be anything to worry about. Saying that, to be sure, you need to go see your vet.

[RorytheVet]

@Sacreblue

What might a cat have/be treated with if they affectionately rub your face and then you break out with contact dermatitis?

One of mine likes sitting behind people’s heads on chairs and occasionally will send a paw round to your cheek to ‘pull’ your face round to them - then they give an affectionate head bump

Unfortunately this breaks me out in contact dermatitis in that spot!

She has no obvious fleas/ticks or even spots herself - does she need a trip to the vet or do we need to just keep refusing that specific affectionate gesture because we’ve developed an allergy to our own cat :(

Hi @Sacreblue. This sounds like an allergy to me, sorry! I am not a doctor (human anyway) so obviously cannot be sure, but I would suggest if it is this isolated then it's likely an allergy.

The only thing I can advise to try and help would be to wash her paws and make sure she has no fleas. Flea dirt under the nails can carry a thing called borrelia burgdorferi which can cause a thing called cat scratch disease.

[RorytheVet]

@StuntNun

My cat is treated monthly with a combined spot on flea, tick and worm treatment. However because he spends so much time outdoors he is still getting flea bites. Would a second flea product such as a collar help prevent these bites?

Hi @StuntNun. If your cat is exposed to a high flea burden, then unfortunately, it may be that whatever product you use he may still get bites.

I would recommend speaking to your vet about which products they suggest as there are some that kill fleas quicker after biting than others.

[RorytheVet]

@RoseDog

Can my cat and dog catch fleas from each other?

I treat the cat regularly with spot on treatments but not the dog as she has skin issues but I do check the dog for fleas and ticks, she's white, short haired, almost bald in areas so easy to check but I should I use something anyway?

Hi @RoseDog. YES! Did you know that almost all the fleas we find on dogs are the "cat flea"!? Mad huh?

So in short, yes, I would suggest you use treatment for your dog as this could potentially worsen her skin issues!

[RorytheVet]

@Sid98

How much do i need to walk the dog as its my first time having a dog and we walks it whenever we can

Hi @Sid98. As a general rule I recommend that most adult dogs should be getting at least an hour of exercise a day, if not more. If your dog is not used to this, then a slow build up is needed or you can split the 60 minutes over two or three walks.

Exceptions to this rule are dogs with medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and dogs under the age of one. Puppies need less exercise despite often being full of beans and you should try and stick to five minutes per month of age once or twice a day.

[RorytheVet]

@digginthedancingqueen

Which is the best dog for allergies? I think am allergic to Yorkshire Terriers but seem ok with cockapoos.

Hi @digginthedancingqueen. In reality, there are no really "hypoallergenic" dog breeds. This is a bit of a myth. In reality, there are just dog breeds that shed less or produce less saliva.

Did you know it actually isn't the dog hair people are allergic to? It is often a protein in the dog's saliva.

[RorytheVet]

@kennelmaid

I'd like to ask about vestibular syndrome. My dog had this. It came on suddenly - his eyes were darting around in his head and he was staggering with uncoordinated movements. We were convinced he'd had a stroke. Our vet told us to bring him in and prepare ourselves for the worst, which was extremely distressing. We searched the internet with his symptoms and it came up with vestibular disease, which the vet hadn't even mentioned at all. Within 2 days he was completely back to normal, no meds, it was as though it had never happened yet I'm convinced our vet would have advised having him put to sleep, completely unnecessarily.

I want this disease to be widely publicized so that no dog's life is ended because of it.

Hi @kennelmaid. Idiopathic vestibular syndrome is an unfortunately common disease. I see it regularly and as you rightly point out, dog's often recover well without any medications. Some better than others.

I'm so pleased your dog is doing well but, I am sure that if your vet had seen your dog they would have diagnosed idiopathic vestibular disease and the same outcome would have been had.

[RorytheVet]

@10milewalk

Now the weather is getting warmer I worry about my little puppy picking up ticks when we're out walking, should I spray him with a repellent before going out and if so which one would you recommend?

Hi @10milewalk. I don't generally recommend repellent as these can be really nasty chemicals and can cause all sorts of reactions in your pup.

I usually recommend speaking to your vet about which products you can use. Seresto is one such product as it repels and kills ticks for up to eight months!

[RorytheVet]

@mummyuk86

I regularly use a preventative treatment for fleas on my dog but i'm still seeing fleas in my house - how is this possible and what can i do?

Hi @mummyuk86. It sounds like the preventative you are using isn't up to the job!

Did you know that for every flea you see on your dog, there are nine in the environment?! I would suggest you speak to your vet about what prescription products they would recommend and ask them about treating the house too. There are some household sprays out there that are really very effective and can protect the house for up to six months.

[RorytheVet]

@flowersanam

How do i get the kids to not be afraid of petting the cats as they are scared the cat may scratch them

Hi @flowersanam. With any child scared of any animal, it's about taking it slowly and showing them that there isn't anything to be scared of.

Maybe start by playing with some toys so they don't have to risk their hands getting caught. Then, when the cats are sleepy, try gentle stroking. Make sure the cats always know that they are going to be stroked, as sometimes they can react if they are shocked.

[RorytheVet]

@LittleDeeAndME

I have a dog and a cat, who get on really well, but I find it difficult a feeding times, the dog gets quite territorial, and wants to eat the cats food, so I have to put him in the living room, any tips on how others manage to feed without a drama - also is it true that a dog can eat cat food without any side effects, but cat should stay well clear of dog food- or is it 'an old wives tale'. Thanks

Hi @LittleDeeAndME. Oh this sounds stressful, I'm sorry!

I would actually look into feeding the cat from a high surface. Cats actually love being up high as they often feel safer and can look down over their territory (a bit like in lion king).

It sounds like your dog has a real love for cat food - it is often tastier as cats can be fussy. I think you need to make sure the dog doesn't get the cat's food and this should help with your problem.

As for them eating each others, this is not strictly true. Neither food is toxic to the other species. The reality is that cat's often can't survive on dog food as there isn't enough of an amino acid called taurine in it. This causes heart disease in cats and can be really bad!

As for the dog, eating cat food causes no real issue here except that it is often a lot higher in calories and I know a lot of overweight dogs that need to stop eating their feline friends food!

[RorytheVet]

@Lotsachocolateplease

My 4 year old cat seems to always have fleas. He’s treated once a month with frontline, previously used advantage but it wasn’t getting fully rid of them. However frontline seems a bit better but I always find one or two on him, there’s probably more! What can I do to fully eradicate these pests?
(I have treated the house and the areas he sleeps)

Hi @Lotsachocolateplease. Oh how frustrating! Honestly, it sounds like you need to upgrade your flea treatment.

Frontline and advantage are both non-prescription treatments so they can only have certain amounts of the active ingredients in them. I would highly recommend upgrading to a prescription treatment from your vet or get them to write you a prescription. Just a note, even with the best treatments, it can take up to 12 weeks to fully get rid of the fleas!

[RorytheVet]

@CharlieSocial

My long haired is brushed thoroughly every day or second day yet he still vomits up hair balls on a weekly basis.
Brushing seems to dislodge his excess fur and while a lot comes away in the brush, clearly a lot is still left loose which he ingests.
Am I doing the right thing by grooming him often and how can I stop him bringing up furballs in the house on a regular basis?

Hi @CharlieSocial. Yes absolutely, it sounds like you're doing a great job! You could even groom him more if you can fit it in. The more you groom, the less hair he ingests and the less furballs you should see.

Equally, there are also hairball treatments you can get that can help shift the hair through the gastrointestinal tract, as well as specific foods that can help too.

[RorytheVet]

@ZaZathecat

My male, neutered cat, age 10, has started, erm, humping anything soft like a fleecy throw regularly for the last few months. He never did it before. What could be the reason and is there anything I can or should do about it?

Hi @ZaZathecat. Oh, lucky you! This sounds... interesting. I'm afraid I may not be the right person to ask about this one. I have seen cats hump, but as a new behaviour in a cat of 10 years old, it really is quite weird.

Stress can do weird things to cats so you will want to check there is nothing stressing him out, like another cat in the area. You could try a pheromone diffuser to try and help take the edge off. If you're seeing any other signs, then I would suggest getting down to the vets though!

[RorytheVet]

@Dizzywizz

My shih tzu boy of 9 months eats poo - his own/foxes/cats/anyone’s…should we worry? He is on a good diet, royal canin puppy food a mix of the wet and dry, just transitioning to tails wet and dry, and he also has tripe or tuna added. Thank you

Hi @Dizzywizz. Poo eating is so gross, but can be a tricky one to get on top of. I think a food change is a sensible move as this can really help with this.

For me, it's all about trying to discourage the behaviour as I'm sure you're doing. Other than that and a diet change, it's just a case of hoping that he grows out of it.

[RorytheVet]

@caz123456

What can I give my King Charles Cavalier for her achy legs after a long walk?

Hi @caz123456. Hmm, it depends on what you mean here. If your dog potentially has degenerative joint disease then I would get down to your vet for an appointment and discuss with them what you can do.

There are lots of options out there such as joint supplements, anti-inflammatories, osteoarthritis medications and much more, but make sure to get a vet's advice first.

[RorytheVet]

@bigcheesematrix

Hello, my 12 year old border terrier sometimes has a resting tremor in one leg when sitting or laying down. It isn't because of excitement or anxiety because it is often just at calm times when nothing is happening. What could be causing this and is it anything to worry about?
Thanks.

Hi @bigcheesematrix, thanks for this one.

I'm sure there are many people with older dogs that do this. Honestly, if it isn't associated with a limp or pain then I wouldn't worry too much. It is often nothing, but saying that, I would definitely get your vet to pass their hands over your dog's joints when you're next in for a check up as it could be a sign that there is some early joint disease.

[RorytheVet]

@Sweetpea1532

Also just remembered that the kitten that likes to lick his sibs, also likes to nap in the litter tray!
Any ideas as to why?
He did lose his female twin when they were about 4 months old...she came home from a day out with a broken back😭

Hi @Sweetpea1532. Oh, I'm so sorry about that. That is horrible!

Ah okay, this is something some cat's do. They often like to sleep in enclosed spaces or on cushions with a defined border. Cats... are just a bit odd sometimes.

[RorytheVet]

Thank you for all of your questions. I hope you found my answers helpful!

Rory the Vet

[ZaZathecat]

Thanks Rory. I have just bought a Pet Rescue plugin diffuser and it definitely does the job. The only problem is the smell - my husband thought there must be a dead mouse decaying under the sofa until I explained! Still, it's nice to be able to calm down my poor moggie.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I hope you don’t mind me messaging you to pick your brains about this. We have one dog - a brown lab, and in January last year we lost our other dog, a rescue lab pointer cross. By the time we were ready to think about another dog, we were deep into lockdowns, so finding and adopting a rescue dog became much harder, but we have kept an eye on the various rescue sites, and during the week, we saw, and applied to adopt, a pair of labs.

We weren’t successful with this application, but the rescue have rung us and asked us to consider adopting a 4 month old golden retriever puppy who has hip dysplasia. They are going to ring us again on Tuesday with more info about this puppy, and we are very torn about the decision.

Obviously as it’s a pre existing condition, we wouldn't get insurance for the hip issues, and surgery could be very pricey, but we could, at a stretch, afford hip replacements (or other surgery) if things were that severe, and we could afford medication, hydrotherapy etc.

So, as a vet, what advice can you give us? Would we be mad to take the puppy on? I am thinking that, if the dysplasia isn’t too severe, we could manage it by keeping the puppy’s weight down, sensible exercise, medication and physio if necessary. But if we don’t adopt this puppy, will they be able to find a family who do have the financial resources to get the treatment the dog needs?

Ourlab, is 12 soon, so having another dog that couldn’t walk too far wouldn’t be a huge issue (once the dog was fully grown and didn’t need shorter, puppy suitable walks), and we have coped with a dog with orthopaedic issues before - our lab-pointer cross bust both her anterior cruciates, so needed two lots of surgery and cage rest, and then dislocated a knee cap and needed even more surgery and cage rest. She also had vestibular disease, and developed arthritis as she aged, and needed physio and hydrotherapy, so we know we can manage these challenges.

I think we could give this dog a good life - but am I being over-sentimental and impractical?

[Sacreblue]

Thanks Rory, face rubs are nixed, flea checks in operation.

Washing of paws...well, a rub with a damp flannel will have to suffice on that front or I’d lose an arm 🤣

[Kakiweewee]

My cat has issues with scratching herself until she bleeds. This is around her neck and head.

I've removed possible food triggers with an elimination diet and have her on high quality wet food and grain free dry.

She's indoor only so I run an air purifier and keep everything dust free. There's no issue with fleas or worms. Her skin doesn't seem dry or irritated.

She gets these twitchy attacks like horses when they are getting bothered by flies. Her whole back twitches like something is really irritating her. Then she has mad moments of doing flips and chasing her tail. During these "attacks" she'll often scratch herself until she bleeds.

She's had cat flu, and gets little flare ups of conjunctivitis, but other than that and her scratching she seems perfectly healthy.

Does this sound like anything in particular and what can I do to help her out?

[frogface69]

Thank you. I will keep an eye on her [Rory]