From a horse with sore hooves to a panting poodle – your pet queries answered

HE is on a mission to help our pets  . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.

Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.

He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”

Q) MY eight-year-old horse Betty suffers from laminitis on and off.

Is there anything I can do diet or medication-wise to help prevent it?

She lives outside most of the time. Would she be better in her stable?

Liz Greenwood, Garstang, Lancs

A) Poor Betty. Laminitis is a painful condition of the hooves and feet caused by internal inflammation.

But there are lifestyle and dietary factors that can help prevent or reduce flare ups. First, make sure Betty is a healthy weight for her size.

Obesity is a predisposing factor, as is a diet rich in energy, starchy carbohydrates or sugars. So, ideally, she should be kept on the poorest pasture possible, never on lush new grass.

You should also avoid feeding her any grains, treats or feed that cause blood sugar spikes.

A high fibre, low energy diet of hay and a small amount of grass is ideal. Your farrier may also be able to help give her feet support according to her needs.

Q) OUR two-year old poodle Misty starts panting whenever we take her out in the car.

We open the windows and give her fresh water, but nothing seems to work. She also gets anxiety. Is there anything that might help calm her?

Terry Taylor, Sheffield

A) Dogs pant when they are hot, excited or nervous. This sounds like anxiety, so try not to ramp her up with your anxious reaction.

You must teach Misty that the car is a pleasant place and she has nothing to worry about.

That relies on a gradual programme of habituation, counter conditioning and maybe a bit of response substitution, too.

Look up these three techniques and give them a try. Calming supplements can help, but are never a magic cure.

A qualified animal behaviourist could assist if you’re still struggling.

Q) MY 14-month-old male cat Redford is on cage rest after an operation for a broken leg.

When we let him out occasionally with supervision, his sisters from the same litter hiss and won’t go near him.

They won’t even stay in the same room, whether he’s caged or not. Is it because his rear leg was shaved (it has no cast)?

Is it possible they don’t recognise him? And will this resolve itself once he is allowed out permanently?

Mike Blackwell, Southampton

A) Cats are bizarre in their behaviour at times. But think about it from their point of view.

Their brother got abducted and has landed back with a weird zombie looking limb, smelling of a vet clinic, medicines and other animals, and he’s now living in a cage.

They are showing fear and apprehension about this strange version of their sibling they really don’t recognise. I’m confident things will return to normal once he is recovered.

Q) WIGGLES my three-year-old cat is really mean. One minute he will cuddle, the next he claws.

There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme nor reason to it. We have had him since he was a kitten. He has not had any trauma. What can I do?

Toby Walkden, Skegness, Lincs

A) That is a cat’s prerogative. If they want cuddles, they will accept them from us lowly humans. And if they don’t want them, they’ll stalk off or tell you in no uncertain terms, which is frustrating.

It can stem from early experiences as a kitten — not learning to inhibit biting or hunting behaviour directed at human hands, for example.

It could also indicate pain or discomfort, so it’s worth a vet check.

I’d be inclined to adopt a more hands off approach. Some cats just don’t like too many cuddles.

Star of the week

COOKIE fought back from the brink of death and has now found her forever home.

The poorly kitten arrived at the Blue Cross animal hospital, Victoria in London weighing just 350g and suffering from flea anaemia and conjunctivitis.

Cookie, who was just eight-weeks-old, needed a blood transfusion. Nora, a re-homer cat was at the hospital and was a match and donated some blood.

Amanda Rumball, Welfare Officer at Blue Cross said: “These cases don’t always have a happy ending, but for Cookie the blood transfusion saved her.”

Tips to break puppies' bad behaviour

GETTING a puppy is exciting but also daunting.

With a predicted 1.5million puppies joining homes this year, trainer and behaviourist, Lee Richards from Furbabies training, reveals how to beat the five naughty habits.

He says: “It is vital that you train and socialise your pup early on. My simple steps can make life less stressful.”

Toilet accidents: “Don’t make a sound, move the dog from the area and clean up the mess. If you interact with the dog, they will see it as an opportunity to play.”

Biting: “Distract them by picking up a toy and throwing it away from you.”

Stealing: “Say no firmly but not too loudly as dogs have better hearing than us. Take the item away and do not give a reward.

"A few minutes later, put the item back on the floor. Repeat this until the pooch has had the opportunity to learn.”

Not listening: “If you’re trying to train them, get up, put the treats away and walk away. Try again in a few minutes. It tells the dog, ‘If you do this, you are slowing down the process of getting a reward’.”

Socialising: “Exposure to dishwashers or Hoovers is important to lower their anxiety. Get them to focus on you while the noise is happening and give them a reward.”