Pet’s Corner Q&A

My cat, Sally, who is usually white all over, has red ears and they look very sore. It looks like sunburn, but is this possible? Lucy

Just like us, our furry family members can get sunburnt on sunny days – especially if they have light coloured fur like Sally does.

Mild sunburn often heals within a few days. To make Sally more comfortable, you can try using cold compresses to gently cool Sally’s skin using
something like a flannel or towel that has been wet under a cold tap.

However, as she seems to be in pain, you should contact your vet for advice.

The vets will be able to offer treatment such as pain relief to ease any discomfort.

Sadly, some cats can develop a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, so it is important to keep Sally out of direct sunlight until her skin has healed and use pet-safe factor 30 or above sun cream or sunblock to protect her skin from the sun in future.

Find out more at pdsa.org.uk/sunburn-in-pets

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My cat Maisie, 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 something wrong with her? Chris

There are many possible causes of repeated vomiting with cats, from fur balls or worms to more serious conditions.

There is also the possibility that your cat may even have swallowed something she shouldn’t have, which could also cause these symptoms.

It’s important to take Maisie to see a vet so they can get to the bottom of what’s making her unwell.

Take note of how soon after eating she is sick and make your vet aware of any other symptoms she may have.

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.

For more information visit the PDSA Pet Health Hub.

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I found and removed a tick on my dog after a walk. Are there any ways of preventing them attaching in the first place? Bethany

Ticks are more common during the warmer months, with numbers peaking between late spring and autumn.

They are often found in wooded and moorland areas, especially in long grass, so try to avoid letting your dog wander in deep undergrowth or grass and stick to paths instead.

Always check for them after walking your dog, around the head, ears, legs and underside. It’s important to remove ticks carefully, otherwise the head can remain within the skin.

You can get special tick removers but, if unsure on technique, it’s best to get advice from your vets before removing because if it’s not done correctly it can cause an infection.

There are collars that both repel and kill ticks and fleas, they last several months and we recommend that you speak to your vet for the best treatment available.

Find out more at www.pdsa.org.uk/fleas

 

Picture: Pixabay/Nennieinszweidrei