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Q: I've had my 10 week old kitten for a week. From the day I brought her home she seemed to automatically know where the litter tray was but in the last few days she's taken to weeing in my bed when I am at work. She seems to know to use the litter tray when I am at home but when I am out she seems to prefer to use my bed as a toilet! Why?
Q: Our black Labrador is two years old and just recently she has started going outside to do her business and then eating it. Afterwards she nearly always vomits so why does she do it?
A:This behaviour is a little concerning. Most budgies may start showing some type of senility around 10-15years, not your little fella's age. This is likely to be either vision impairment or balance problems which are usually associated with an inner ear condition. Try improving the lighting in that room and check him over for feather loss as he may just be moulting. If not, I would strongly suggest a visit to your local vet practice or a bird specialist.
Q: We have two dogs,one a border collie (12yrs) and the other a staffordshire bull terrier(2yrs). the problem we have is with the young dog eating the older dogs poo,we wondered if he is lacking something from his diet or is this just a dirty habbit and how can we stop him. A: Coprophagia, or the act of eating faeces is common in young dogs and puppies, though usually they grow out of it by your staffies age. In this case, it could be that as both dogs live in close contact, your younger dog is constantly drawn to the scent of the other dogs stools and can easily snaffle them, developing into a rather disgusting chronic habit. I suggest you start booby-trapping the poo's left in your garden, sprinkling hot chilli pepper on to the elder dogs stools fresh poo's and removing all others without the younger noticing. When allowed back into the garden, just one bite of this fiery feaces should be enough to convince your Staffie to drop this nasty habit, though it can be repeated daily for a week or so until he really gets the message.
Q: I read your letter about monkeys the family that you where writing to could do as we done and adopt a monkey you can do this by contacting monkeyworld.org This is the sanctuary that the late Jim Cronin and his wife Alison set up over 20 years ago It cost just £20 for a child to adopt for a year this includes a photo of their chosen monkey 3 newsletters a year an adoption certificate and free entry into the park if you choose to go and visit the park which we did in April this year and had a fantastic time hopefully you could pass this information onto them. A: Good idea Elaine, much better choice to adopt a monkey at such a great sanctuary than consider one of your own. Monkey World do great work and have helped many primates over the years, so why not sponsor a monkey for your animal mad kids!
Q: My 21year old yellow cockatiel has developed very dark patches either side of his beak. could this be an age sign or a sign of some illness? A: Certain colour types of Cockatiels can add pigment to their beaks as they age, but this would be a very slow and gradual process. If you feel that this change has happened suddenly over a few days, then it could be because of disease or trauma such as bruising, and should be assessed by an avian vet.
Q: I have a male boxer dog who is 16 months old his name is lewis.I took lewis to our vet in march 2008 he was scratching his A: This sounds like more than just an ear infection Paul, with your dog likely suffering from a generalized allergic reaction. Allergies in Boxers are not uncommon, and can be caused by anything from food allergies to indoor parasites such as dust mites, contact with pollinating plants to tree allergies. As there is bare skin in the ear canals, this is a common site for redness and inflammation in an allergic dog, with wax build up leading to a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, hence an ear infection follows. You could consider a food exclusion trial first, using a meat protein never before fed to your boxer such as venison or duck, to try and dampen your dogs allergic reaction down. Discuss this possibility with your vet, as there are some excellent allergy blood tests available which can pinpoint the source of the problem and vaccinations able to be produced to help manage to condition. Good luck.
Q: We have a two & half year old jack russell bitch my husband treats her like a bairn, He also lets her sleep on our bed, she's getting quite aggressive at times, She barks a lot. My husband went to take her for a walk he approached her bed she snapped at him he was quite shocked. (She has nipped me before).He gave her a row It's like she goes in the huff comes to me. she wont go near him for hours. he is very apprehensive about approaching her in case she snaps at him again Its really upsetting him he's very worried about her ... can you please help. E. Miller A: You are pandering to your fiesty little madam, allowing her far too many liberties such as sleeping on your bed when she acts so badly. You need to start from scratch with setting boundaries for your dog, making her work for your attention and not the other way around. Stop allowing her to sleep on your bed and make her sit and stay before every meal, teaching her that any benefit needs to be earnt. Aggression should never be tolerated, with a firm ‘No' growled by you, having a lead always attached to her collar so you can easily lead her out of her comfy bed and into another room where she is excluded from your company. Tumultuous times lie ahead, but remember that your dog's behaviour will only get worse unless you draw a line in the sand, teaching your little lady who is boss once more.
Q: My cat will not shut up!! She is getting louder and louder by the day, and now she yowls at night as well. We love her dearly but at 14 years old, wonder if she is going a bit senile. Any ideas?! A: This could be senility Janice, where your cat calls out when nervous or trying to locate you in the house. But I would suggest that it is more likely to be hyperthyroidism, a condition resulting in the overactive gland producing more thyroxine hormone, leading to a hyperactive cat who eats more, loses weight , has interrupted sleep patterns and increased vocalization. Treated with daily oral medication, this will help to calm down your cat once more, allowing them to gain condition while you gain a good nights sleep! First dog for the First family of the White house
Q: I have a 2 year old Lhasa Apso who has suddenly become aggressive, he is being possessive over food and territory. There have been no home changes since I got him. I have a 6 year old Yorkie who is treading carefully around him just now but normally they get on great. Is this normal practice at his age or could it be something more? he hasnt been neutered yet, would this maybe calm him? A: This is not a normal phase for a two year old dog to go through, usually the affects of the male hormone testosterone will be seen around six months of age, leading to a more excitable, sexually charged pooch which can be aggressive to other male dogs. There has likely been some minor altercation or frightening experience which has affected your dog adversely and caused him to suddenly act aggressively. I would strongly consider castration, as this procedure has a generally calming action on most dogs, though consider picking up a DAP diffuser (pheromone diffuser) from your vet when you go which will help to calm social tensions at home. Do not accept aggression and immediately punish your dog with loss of food and contact with you, walking the dog by a lead into another room. You may have to repeat this multiple times a day, so patience will be a virtue, and always remember that aggressive reactions by you toward your aggressive dog will only exacerbate the situation, so keep calm and hopefully with time your little Lhasa Apso will return to the more chilled out canine of old.
Q: My little kitten will not stop scratching me. She has such razor sharp claws and occasionally kicks and scratches me…..please tell me she will grow out of this! Nadine, Edinburgh A: She certainly should Nadine, as a playful kitten will soon calm down into a more serene adult cat with age. Ask your vet to clip her claws at your next visit, and consider buying a scratching post infused with catnip so that she is encouraged to run her talons on that instead of your skin. Finally play with her twice a day for around 15mins each, using fluttering or bouncing toys which she can exhaust her energies on, leaving a calm and quiet kitten to cuddle with on the couch later.
Q: We have a two year old male pug, we have had him since he was a few months old. We got him toilet trained very fast he has always done the toilet outside. For about 6 months now he decides to do the toilet in the house late at night always around 4 or 5 in the morning. He gets fed 1 meal aday at around 5 pm then took out for a walk at 7 pm then let out the back at 10pm. So its not as if he does not get the chance to do the toilet before he goes to sleep. Brian Ramsay A: Toilet training needs to be an active affair if you are to break this habitual cycle of toileting indoors. First of all restrict your dogs access to water from around 9pm , as if you can go through the night without water, so can your Pug. When you let him out at 10pm, walk around the garden with him so that you physically see him urinate and defacate before letting him back in, as he is likely just going outside because you ask him to, but preferring the warm indoor environment to go later when you are not around. Finally, restrict his access around your home, for example keeping him in his own room or the kitchen (a good easy cleanable option) which is kept very darkened when you go to bed. Then as soon as you rise, again actively walk your pooch around the garden, keeping his toileting habits outside your home.
Q: My friend has just taken in a Yorkshire Terrier, who, judging by his behaviour may have been mistreated. She has very little information regarding his background and this makes it difficult to diagnose. When he is being friendly he is a lovely little dog and full of fun. However, for no apparent reason he will turn and bite. I have listed some of the scenarios. He will come to you with his tail wagging, jump on your lap and when you stroke him he snaps. If you are sitting beside someone on the sofa and the dog is on the other persons lap he will snap at you if you move. He will growl and run at people who are leaving the house. We never go to stroke him from above so he can see your hand just in case he has been beaten, she is desperate to find a solution because she has a large family her house is always busy and she is terrified some of her grandchildren will be hurt. The dog is fine with her and its not personal against anyone in particular as he can just snap at anyone.
A: Sometimes I have to give you opinions which you won't like to hear, and this may be one of those times. Yes this may be a situation which can be improved with a lot of time and patience, but a bustling environment full of grandchildren is far removed from the house this dog should be living in. Whether this dog has been mistreated or not, during his rehabilitation period he cannot be trusted in a household where little fingers want to stroke him. Just like the dog above I would suggest castration which may improve his territorial aggression, though his trust of humans will take time, and he has already proved he is best suited to an owner primarily on their own. Animal behaviourists referred from your local vet clinic may be able to help, but your friend should seriously consider rehoming her troubled pooch for the safety of others around her. All the very best. Q: My dog has a small wart under her tail which she is constantly chewing, and now it has started bleeding. Is there any way that I can stop her from chewing it, she is an old dog and gets a bit obsessive. A: There are some excellent new inflatable collars which restrict your dog's ability to turn their head, but unlike the old lampshade collars do not restrict peripheral vision. Used for a few weeks with a course of antibiotics prescribed by your vet to clear up any infection, this may help to reduce the wart and allow it to heal. Surgical removal may be the best bet to have this troublesome wart removed once and for all. I suggest a blood test first though, to prove that your old dog has a healthy enough constitution to undergo the anaesthetic.
Q: Why to birds pull out their feathers? My cockatoo has just started pulling out his tail feathers and is making himself bald. We have just moved house so I was wondering if he doesn't like our new home? A: Birds are quite sensitive creatures, and feather plucking is usually a sign of either stress or boredom. Really make a fuss of your bird over the coming weeks so he knows he is still loved, giving him new toys to play with and phone books to rip up so he leaves his tail alone. Start allowing him out of his cage to stretch his wings, though always chaperone him so that his sharp and destructive beak is not used on your belongings when he is given freedom. Mekong Delta – a treasure trove of animals.
Q: When my cats litter tray is a little full, she will immediately poo at the edge of it. As this is marking the carpet and just plain gross, is there anything I can do to stop this? A: Four words for you Dawn, “change the litter daily!” Some cats are very sensitive of changes to their surroundings, so even one use of the tray can be enough to put them off. With such a sensitive sense of smell, cats will shy away from strong odours, so a once a day chore of changing the litter should immediately help this problem and save your carpets.
Q: Our dog Bruiser is coming up for six months now, and my husband and I are considering castrating him. When is a good time to do this and do you think it is a good idea as my husband is unsure. A: Castration can be considered from around six months of age in male dogs, when they have grown to nearly adult size and weight. Some larger breed dogs can be castrated later, though undesirable behavioural traits such as male dominance aggression may become apparent if neutering is left too late. If you are not planning to breed from Bruiser and he is just a family pet, you will find the benefits of castration (reduction in aggression and prostate problems later in life) will greately outweigh the potential risks. Discuss this routine procedure with your vet who will help you make the decision and give you all the facts.
Q: Can rabbits and guinea pigs live happily together, as my rabbit seems lonely and I want to get him a friend. A: Although rabbits and guinea pigs are kept by humans as pets in a similar way, they are vastly different creatures and from completely different parts of the world. I have known the two to be good pen-mates, but I would suggest another rabbit of the neutered opposite sex may be best to keep your bunny company without leading to an explosion of the rabbit population in Aberdeen ! All the best.
Q: My little dog keeps urinating every time we tell him off. It is such a nightmare as he does something naughty, then makes it worse by peeing…..HELP! A: I can certainly relate Maggie, as our young dog Dave is exactly the same. This requires the utmost patience on your part, as it is a mixture of a nervous/sensitive dog and a developing/weak bladder. Avoiding telling your dog off is the order of the day, completely changing tact and only rewarding good behaviour and gritting your teeth as you ignore the bad. Build up the dogs confidence over time, walking him before giving any attention and having friends and family ignore him when entering your home, a prime time for him to get over excited and wee. Slowly as he grows and matures this condition should improve, but keep the paper towel handy over the coming few months as you are going to need it!
Q: Larry, our Labrador , has become increasing blind, occasionally bumping into walls and furniture as he walks about the house. He is 12 years old, but we were wondering if there was anything we could give him as he seems a little senile? A: Degenerative changes to the eyes are not uncommon in elderly dogs, with cataracts, or increased opacity to the lenses a fairly regular change to be seen in an aging canine. If you believe Larry to be a little senile, then there are a number of very good medications available from your vet which will help, improving the circulation of blood to the brain and resulting in a sharper and more vigorous elderly pooch.
Q: My little Yorkie has started to cough over the last few months. He sort of hacks then struggles to catch his breath, and it is very worrying. We have taken him to the vet who says there is very little we can do as it is a structural problem, but wondered if you could help? A: Sounds like your little dog is suffering with Collapsing trachea Ray, a condition where the rings of cartilage surrounding the windpipe are a weak and the tube collapses to stop airflow into the lungs. Leading to a hacking cough which can frighten both your little dog and you, there are surgical corrective methods that can be attempted to help improve this. Although some medical options are available, their action is hit and miss at best, so I suggest asking for a referral to a specialist centre via your vet, where all the options regarding treatment can be discussed.
Frost-bitten felines
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