Pet’s Corner Q&A
My dog Archie is very nervous around other dogs but we live near a field where dogs are always being walked. What can I do to help him?
As Archie is nervous around dogs, taking him to places where he’s coming across others frequently can actually reinforce the problem and continue the cycle of fear.
Find a quieter place to walk him, where there are fewer dogs around.
Using a yellow bandana or lead on your dog alerts other dog walkers that your dog is nervous and needs space.
If in speaking distance, ask other dog owners to keep their dogs on the lead and continue past without stopping.
Talk to Archie to reassure him during and once they’ve passed without incident, then offer him a treat so the meeting is associated with something pleasant.
To help Archie feel better when meeting other dogs, take a look at our advice here:
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/dog-aggression
My rabbit, Jonny, has started breathing faster than usual and sneezing a lot. What should I do to help him?
Breathing problems in rabbits can be very serious so it is important you contact your vet as soon as possible.
A normal, healthy rabbit should take about 30-60 breaths per minute when calm, they should have a clean nose, clear eyes without discharge and breathe almost silently with no effort.
Breathing issues in rabbits can be caused by many different problems but all need investigating as they can become very serious, very quickly.
It’s important to get Jonny seen as soon as possible, as he’s likely to share his home with other bunnies, you should have them checked too.
For more information, please visit:
My cat, Bobby, has a bad smell coming from his ear along with discharge sometimes, is there anything I can do to help him?
Ear problems are painful, and rarely improve without treatment.
They often get worse over time, so it’s important to contact your vet so Bobby can be checked over. Your vet will need to examine the ear to find out what’s wrong.
Ear problems can include yeast or bacterial infections, ear mites, something in the ear that shouldn’t be there or even an injury such as a wound or bite.
It’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible so that Bobby is not in pain and to prevent his general health from getting any worse.
For more information please visit:
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/symptoms/ear-problems-in-cats
