Pet’s Corner Q&A
My dog Micky has bad breath all the time. What can I do to help it go away?
Micky’s bad breath could be from a number of things so it’s worth getting him seen by a vet.
They’ll likely ask you how long he’s had bad breath and if it’s worse at certain times of the day so maybe monitor him before your appointment so you can answer these questions.
It could be from an airway infection, gut problems or certain diets but the most common cause of bad breath is dental disease such as tartar build up, gum infections and tooth root abscesses.
My cat Lacie has a small hole in the skin near her front leg. It doesn’t seem to bother her too much but should I get it seen by the vets?
I would definitely advise taking Lacie to the vet.
The wound could have been caused by a number of things, maybe a fight with another cat or an injury from a wire or sharp object.
It’s important to get it checked out as she may need treatment.
Cuts and bites can be painful and can get easily infected, so it’s worth getting Lacie seen by a vet as soon as possible.
My hamster Stuart sometimes has trouble opening his eyes after he wakes up. They usually open after a few minutes, and I gently wipe them with a warm damp tissue to get rid of the gunk. He’s quite old now but this has only just started to happen. Should I be worried?
While this can be caused by normal fluid from the eye drying out on the eyelids and sticking them together, I’d recommend taking Stuart to see your vet, as he may have an infection in his eyes or another problem.
In the meantime, continue to gently wipe his eyes with tissue – dampen it with boiled water that has been left to cool down.
Stuart’s problem could be made worse by his bedding, so make sure you use a dust-free version, such as wood pulp, instead of sawdust.
My kitten Fudge has been diagnosed with kidney problems and needs special food, which is quite expensive. Are there any cheaper alternatives?
Although less common than in older cats, kittens can sometimes be diagnosed with kidney disease.
Encouraging Fudge to drink plenty of water, and feeding a diet specially designed for cats with kidney problems can make a real difference to how quickly the condition progresses.
These diets are carefully designed to be really tasty and ensure cats get their recommended calorie and nutrient intake, with correct levels of good quality proteins, lower phosphorous, and certain vitamins to help maintain muscle and a healthy weight while supporting kidney function.
The diets can be more expensive – speak to your vet about whether there might be a more affordable option for you.
Sometimes it can also be cheaper to buy food in bulk.