pet life

Ask the vet

Our resident vet, Rebecca Ashman, is here to answer any questions you have about your pet.

My cat Margo is six and only seems to be able to keep small amounts of food down. If she eats too much she’s sick, but this happens regularly. Is there something wrong with her?

There are many possible causes of repeated vomiting, including an infection, worms, a tumour or an overactive thyroid gland. Your cat may even have swallowed a foreign body, which could also cause these symptoms. It’s important to take your cat to see a vet so they can get to the bottom of what’s making him unwell. Your vet will perform a full clinical examination and depending on the findings, they may want to perform further investigations to help make a final diagnosis.

I have a two-year-old ferret and am thinking of getting another to give him some companionship. I’m worried they might not get on though – what can I do to help them get along?

Ferrets need another furry ferret as a companion, so it’s good that you are considering this. They are very social animals who love to play, and they can become lonely and stressed if they live by themselves. Littermates who grow up together are often good friends and won’t fight. However, it is also possible to introduce ferrets that aren’t littermates too. This needs to be done over a long period of time and in a neutral place, such as on a walk or in a new play area, before being put into their living accommodation. It’s usual for them to play rough-and-tumble, but keep an eye out for screaming and puncture wounds. Your local ferret rescue can advise you further and will often ask you to bring your ferret down to the centre so they can ‘choose’ their own playmate.

Does my dog need sun block in the summer months?

Pets’ skin can burn just like human skin but pets with white or very short coats are particularly susceptible.

When it is sunny, areas of skin with little or no fur, like noses and ear tips, should be covered with a high factor sunscreen every day.

Failing to do this can result in sunburn and skin cancer in later life.

 

Never leave pets in cars, conservatories or caravans. Even with a window open, they can become dangerously hot very quickly. 22°C outside can become an unbearable 41°C inside a car in just 20 minutes. Overheating can lead to kidney failure, long-term damage to other organs and heatstroke, which can be fatal.

If you see a dog in a hot car, first make every effort to find the owner then call the RSPCA. If you feel it’s a life or death situation, don’t be afraid to dial 999 – a quick response can save a pet’s life.

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Ask the vet

Our resident vet, Rebecca Ashman, is here to answer any questions you have about your pet.

My cat Margo is six and only seems to be able to keep small amounts of food down. If she eats too much she’s sick, but this happens regularly. Is there something wrong with her?

There are many possible causes of repeated vomiting, including an infection, worms, a tumour or an overactive thyroid gland. Your cat may even have swallowed a foreign body, which could also cause these symptoms. It’s important to take your cat to see a vet so they can get to the bottom of what’s making him unwell. Your vet will perform a full clinical examination and depending on the findings, they may want to perform further investigations to help make a final diagnosis.

I have a two-year-old ferret and am thinking of getting another to give him some companionship. I’m worried they might not get on though – what can I do to help them get along?

Ferrets need another furry ferret as a companion, so it’s good that you are considering this. They are very social animals who love to play, and they can become lonely and stressed if they live by themselves. Littermates who grow up together are often good friends and won’t fight. However, it is also possible to introduce ferrets that aren’t littermates too. This needs to be done over a long period of time and in a neutral place, such as on a walk or in a new play area, before being put into their living accommodation. It’s usual for them to play rough-and-tumble, but keep an eye out for screaming and puncture wounds. Your local ferret rescue can advise you further and will often ask you to bring your ferret down to the centre so they can ‘choose’ their own playmate.

Does my dog need sun block in the summer months?

Pets’ skin can burn just like human skin but pets with white or very short coats are particularly susceptible.

When it is sunny, areas of skin with little or no fur, like noses and ear tips, should be covered with a high factor sunscreen every day.

Failing to do this can result in sunburn and skin cancer in later life.

PDSA Companions Magazine Donate Button

Ask the vet

Our resident vet, Rebecca Ashman, is here to answer any questions you have about your pet.

My cat Margo is six and only seems to be able to keep small amounts of food down. If she eats too much she’s sick, but this happens regularly. Is there something wrong with her?

There are many possible causes of repeated vomiting, including an infection, worms, a tumour or an overactive thyroid gland. Your cat may even have swallowed a foreign body, which could also cause these symptoms. It’s important to take your cat to see a vet so they can get to the bottom of what’s making him unwell. Your vet will perform a full clinical examination and depending on the findings, they may want to perform further investigations to help make a final diagnosis.

I have a two-year-old ferret and am thinking of getting another to give him some companionship. I’m worried they might not get on though – what can I do to help them get along?

Ferrets need another furry ferret as a companion, so it’s good that you are considering this. They are very social animals who love to play, and they can become lonely and stressed if they live by themselves. Littermates who grow up together are often good friends and won’t fight. However, it is also possible to introduce ferrets that aren’t littermates too. This needs to be done over a long period of time and in a neutral place, such as on a walk or in a new play area, before being put into their living accommodation. It’s usual for them to play rough-and-tumble, but keep an eye out for screaming and puncture wounds. Your local ferret rescue can advise you further and will often ask you to bring your ferret down to the centre so they can ‘choose’ their own playmate.

Does my dog need sun block in the summer months?

Pets’ skin can burn just like human skin but pets with white or very short coats are particularly susceptible.

When it is sunny, areas of skin with little or no fur, like noses and ear tips, should be covered with a high factor sunscreen every day.

Failing to do this can result in sunburn and skin cancer in later life.

Ask the vet

Our resident vet, Rebecca Ashman, is here to answer any questions you have about your pet.

My cat Margo is six and only seems to be able to keep small amounts of food down. If she eats too much she’s sick, but this happens regularly. Is there something wrong with her?

There are many possible causes of repeated vomiting, including an infection, worms, a tumour or an overactive thyroid gland. Your cat may even have swallowed a foreign body, which could also cause these symptoms. It’s important to take your cat to see a vet so they can get to the bottom of what’s making him unwell. Your vet will perform a full clinical examination and depending on the findings, they may want to perform further investigations to help make a final diagnosis.

I have a two-year-old ferret and am thinking of getting another to give him some companionship. I’m worried they might not get on though – what can I do to help them get along?

Ferrets need another furry ferret as a companion, so it’s good that you are considering this. They are very social animals who love to play, and they can become lonely and stressed if they live by themselves. Littermates who grow up together are often good friends and won’t fight. However, it is also possible to introduce ferrets that aren’t littermates too. This needs to be done over a long period of time and in a neutral place, such as on a walk or in a new play area, before being put into their living accommodation. It’s usual for them to play rough-and-tumble, but keep an eye out for screaming and puncture wounds. Your local ferret rescue can advise you further and will often ask you to bring your ferret down to the centre so they can ‘choose’ their own playmate.

Does my dog need sun block in the summer months?

Pets’ skin can burn just like human skin but pets with white or very short coats are particularly susceptible.

When it is sunny, areas of skin with little or no fur, like noses and ear tips, should be covered with a high factor sunscreen every day.

Failing to do this can result in sunburn and skin cancer in later life.

 

PDSA Companions Magazine Donate Button

PDSA Companions Magazine Donate Button