Pet’s Corner Q&A

My dog is suffering with itchy skin and having checked, I’m certain she doesn’t have fleas. Could it be allergy related? If so, what should I do?

Although some dogs only have allergies in the summer, others can suffer all year round.

However several other things including parasites, bacterial infections, and environmental irritants to name a few, can also cause itchy skin.

I’d recommend taking your dog to see a vet who will be able to investigate the root of her skin issues – they may need to run some tests to rule out other problems.

If allergies are diagnosed, sadly it can be difficult to identify the trigger, and even harder to completely avoid.

However, luckily there are many ways your vet can help keep your dog comfortable.

Management usually involves a combination of treatments, including prescribed medication, shampoos, diet and parasite control.

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We want to take our dog, Kiko, away with us for a break in the new year, but she gets car sick. Is there anything we can do to help?

Make sure to take regular breaks during your journey, and feed Kiko at least two-three hours before travel.

Use a pet-safe crate or travel harness so she feels secure, and have something comfortable for her to sit on to stop her slipping.

I also recommend speaking to your vet, who may prescribe anti-sickness treatment.

Travel sickness can make dogs anxious, which makes the problem worse, so for the longer-term, try travel training to get Kiko happier about cars.

Start by making sure she is happy to get into a car without going anywhere, then take her on short journeys, gradually increasing the duration by a few minutes each trip. For more information on travelling with pets, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/car-travel

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Leni, my rabbit, keeps sneezing and seems to be making a wheezing noise when she breathes. Could this just be a cold, or potentially something more serious?

Rabbits can suffer from respiratory infections, sometimes referred to as ‘snuffles’, which can quickly become dangerous if left untreated.

Symptoms include runny eyes, mucus or ‘snot’ from the nose, sneezing and breathing problems, including coughing and/or wheezing and they are also often reluctant to eat.

While it may look similar to the common colds that humans catch, snuffles is a serious illness that typically needs treating with medication, so please don’t wait for other symptoms to appear – getting her checked early on could make all the difference to her health.

Watch your other rabbits at home too, as the condition is highly contagious.

For more information on keeping your rabbits healthy, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/rabbithealth