From dog’s operation to a flirty gerbil – 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.”

GettySome owners are scared of putting their dogs under anaesthetic to have operations[/caption]

Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can ‘help keep pets happy and healthy’

Q: JERRY, my Yorkshire Terrier, is seven and has a growth called an epilus on his gum, which overhangs two of his top teeth.

Our vet confirmed this last year, but it is not painful and doesn’t seem to give him any problems.

He eats well and seems happy and healthy.

We haven’t had it removed as we’re scared of having him put under an anaesthetic to have the operation.

Should we put our fears to one side and have it removed?

Or leave it?

Helen Falzon, Bexley, Kent

Sean says: An epulis is a benign tumour of the gum tissue, and something we see fairly frequently in older dogs and certain breeds, with little terriers especially prone.

As long as it’s not growing too fast, causing discomfort, bleeding or getting in the way of Jerry’s eating I’d be inclined to just keep an eye on it.

If he needs to go under anaesthetic for anything else during the coming years your vet can always whip it off then.

Q: WHEN I wink at my gerbil Bill he seems to wink back at me. Is this normal?

He lives with another gerbil Dave and Dave isn’t so good at it, but does it occasionally.

What’s it all about?

Jill Dougherty, Glasgow

Sean says: I actually have no idea, Jill — this is a new one on me.

Are you sure he’s not just a blinker and you’re the one copying him?

Or perhaps he’s exercising some bizarre brain control experiment on you.

One to watch.

Q: MY cat Eric doesn’t like to go outside.

He’s three years old and just lounges around eating and sleeping.

I play with him to try to get him moving.

But he prefers hanging out on the sofa watching TV and snoozing.

When I put him out, he cries to come back in again.

Should I worry that he’s a lazybones?

I moderate his food to make sure he doesn’t put on too much weight.

Sharon Evans, Dorchester, Dorset

Sean says: My main concern was him getting overweight with too little activity, so good job on restricting his food a little.

There is also plenty you can do to encourage him to be active indoors — chasing games with a fishing rod, or lure toys.

Consider introducing climbing frames and high shelves where he is encouraged to sit.

Many cats are now kept indoors for their own safety, so if Eric just isn’t fussed about going out I wouldn’t force him.

Q: MY 11-year-old cockapoo Dillon has a really sore bottom.

We took him to the vet’s, where he had a thorough examination.

They did some tests and say he’s got hepatoid adenomas — a type of tumours.

So far, they haven’t done a full scan to check if cancer is any-where else.

But should we do this?

Also, they suggested chemotherapy or steroids.

We are thinking maybe steroids first.

Would you agree?

Sarah Atkinson, Manchester

Sean says: It’s hard for me to give specific advice without knowing, and working on, Dillon’s case.

But it’s a good opportunity to remind you, and The Sun on Sunday’s readers, that your relationship with your vet is a partnership.

The conversation isn’t over once you walk out of the clinic or last consultation.

So your best bet is to arrange another chat with your vet.

Chemotherapy or steroids are an option.

Chemotherapy probably will have the best outcome and steroids may just be a temporary relief.

This type of cancer is common in male dogs who haven’t been neutered.

So if Dillon’s not already “done”, removing the hormonal driver for the tumours may also be part of the treatment plan.

Star Of The Week

PARIS the retired guide dog has been voted the UK’s happiest pooch.

Owner Kara Watson says her 12-year-old pet breaks into a grin when she gets a tummy tickle.

SuppliedParis, the retired guide dog, is a star pooch[/caption]

Paris was named Britain’s happiest dog by trustedhousesitters.com.

Kara, 28, from Oxfordshire, said: “Paris is incredibly sweet and quiet, except for when she decides it’s dinner time and then she won’t stop headbutting you.

“Once she rolls over, you have to give her a tummy tickle.

“She has a bunny toy that she always brings to people when they arrive at the door. She loves walks in the parks and sniffing everything.”

Domestic abusers targeting cats

DOMESTIC abuse often also sees cats targeted, warns latest research.

A survey of social workers and police revealed many of them had encountered cases of abusers targeting cats to control, coerce or stop victims from leaving.

Cats ProtectionVile domestic abusers are targeting pet cats[/caption]

Many abuse victims then face the choice of fleeing their home without their pet, or staying with their abuser, because most refuges are unable to take in animals.

Cats Protection, which carried out the survey, has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of its free Lifeline service which looks after moggies in confidence before reuniting with their owners once those owners have reached safe places.

The service is currently only available in certain parts of the UK but the charity is appealing for more funds and volunteer fosterers so it can expand its service.

Amy Hyde, National Lifeline Manager for Cats Protection, said: “If people give generously and sign up to foster, then we will be able to support many more cats.”

A TV advert to highlight the issue is being shown on Channel 4 during breaks in The Great British Bake Off and Gogglebox.

You can find out more about what help is available, at cats.org.uk/lifelineservice