From a cat losing its meow to a dog with hayfever – 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.
4
4
Q) MY cat Pickles has lost her meow. She is happy and eating, but she has gone hoarse.
She's 16 years old and otherwise seems fit. Does she need a check-up?
BOB CASTLE, Doncaster
A) This isn't necessarily cause for alarm as it can happen for no obvious reason in many older cats.
However, there are a few health issues that need to be ruled out.
I wonder if Pickles has any other symptoms such as increased hunger or thirst, or any sudden or severe weight loss? Some hormonal disorders can lead to these symptoms, as well as affecting a cat's voice.
Is she still eating well, or perhaps eating from one side of her mouth, avoiding hard foods in favour of wet food, gravies or jellies? You may guess I'm looking at dental disease or pain as potential causes, which would not surprise me at her age.
In any case, I think the best course of action is to get her a vet check. If they find nothing wrong, great news.
If they find something, you can discuss if it's best treated now, managed lightly or just monitored.
Q) CAN dogs get hayfever? And if so, what might ease it?
F1 stars' pets including driver with thirteen cats, Leclerc's yacht-loving pooch and Hamilton's dog Roscoe with own car
Luna, our labrador, gets a runny nose and sneezes. She's three and otherwise in good health.
She also gets hotspots on her coat in summer. Please advise.
EM BLAKELY, Barnstaple, Devon
A) They do get hayfever, but usually not with the same symptoms as us humans.
In dogs, we use the term atopy or atopic dermatitis to describe 'hayfever', or allergies to pollen, as well as many other environmental allergens.
This is because it usually manifests with itchy skin, leading to scratching, inflammation, hotspots, skin and ear infections. A small number of dogs will also get a runny nose or eye irritation and discharge but not many.
So Luna is either quite unusual or it could be a coincidence.
It's worth a vet visit to find out and to keep her more comfortable.
Q) OUR rabbit Lopsy is all alone now his brother Teddy has died.
I'm planning to get a companion, but how should they be introduced?
JULIE COLEMAN, Brighton
A) There's definitely some science to it but often it's more of a dark art. A good rescue charity or organisation will usually help you find a new bunny pal, giving great advice on the bonding process. It takes time and gradual introductions.
But, generally, there is always a match out there for every bun.
I'm sure Lopsy would love a girlfriend, which might be easier than trying to introduce him to a boy he has not grown up with.
I definitely encourage you to explore these options as rabbits really do need the company of their own kind. But also make sure both are spayed/neutered, or you may end up with more rabbits than you expected.
Q) I AM thinking of fostering an elderly dog to get me out walking more now I'm retired.
I'd like it to be an older pet. Do I need to make considerations like raised food bowls and rugs for an OAP pooch as I have wood floors?
KELLY BLACK, Orpington, Kent
A) Yes Kelly, those are certainly things to consider for older dogs with reduced mobility, perhaps.
Slippery floors can be very difficult to navigate and can exacerbate pain and discomfort. If the dog has neck issues, raised bowls can be of benefit.
The rescue you foster from should be able to advise on good adjustments to help your companion settle and live out their days with you.
Well done for considering an older dog, as many struggle to find homes.
Star of the week
4
THE HUNGARIAN Mudi dog will become an official breed in the UK next week.
The breed, which has existed for 300 years, will be the 225th to be recognised by The Kennel Club.
Janos, a nine-year-old Mudi, came to the UK from Hungary in 2016 and takes part in obedience competitions.
Owner Dorit Powell, 54, from Ipswich, said: 'He has been our loyal companion on many adventures since he joined us as a puppy.
'Janos is always happy and puts a smile on our faces.'
Kennel Club spokesperson Charlotte McNamara said: 'We're pleased to officially recognise this versatile Hungarian herding dog as a pedigree breed in the UK.'
WIN: Chew Mees toys worth £39.96
DO you want a chance to try the brand new Chew Mees toys by Original Squishmallows?
The four loveable character duo sets crinkle and squeak.
We have six bundles to give away, each worth £39.96.
For a chance to win, send an email headed Squishmallows to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by July 13.
T&Cs apply. Search Squishmallows Pets on Amazon UK.
TOP TEN POOCH-FRIENDLY STAYCATIONS
4
NEARLY a third of stay- cationers want to bring a dog, reports a holiday rentals firm.
'Pet-friendly' is the most frequently searched term on sykescottages.co.uk. It also named the Cornish village of Crantock as the UK's No1 pet-friendly destination.
A spokesman for Sykes Cottages said: 'Known for its dog-friendly beach and eateries that welcome four-legged friends, Crantock had the highest proportion of bookings with dogs.
'The village also boasts several pubs and cafes which welcomes dogs and offer them free treats.'
Wales scored highly, too. New Quay in Ceredigion, with its coastal paths and dog-friendly pubs and cafes, placed second.
Next was Rhosneigr in Anglesey where treats include beaches, the Oyster Catcher restaurant and Beaumaris Castle.
The study's Top 10 staycations for dogs: Crantock, Cornwall; New Quay, Ceredigion; Rhosneigr, Isle of Anglesey; Carnforth, Lancs; Newborough, Isle of Anglesey; Beadnell, Northumberland; Filey, North Yorks; Cardigan, Ceredigion; Nefyn, Gwynedd; Amble, Northumberland.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I thought I was exhausted... doctors discovered I had deadly heart condition hiding behind everyday fatigue
At just 26, Rachel Freedman had the stamina of someone in their 50s. The graduate student from New York City would have to catch her breath after walking up the subway stairs, going on a grocery run and even taking a shower. On hikes with friends, she felt 'like a gorilla' was sitting on her chest as she struggled to keep up. Freedman assumed she just needed to lose weight and started exercising more to get her energy back. But after being rushed to the hospital in May 2019 for an undisclosed issue, an electrocardiogram (EKG) showed an abnormal heart rhythm. Though doctors insisted 'it was probably not a big deal,' Freedman's mother urged her to get further testing. Cardiologists at NYU Langone Health performed an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, and found obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which causes the walls of the heart to slowly thicken and block blood flow. The one-in-500 genetic condition often causes no symptoms, leaving thousands of patients unaware they have it until they suffer heart failure or cardiac arrest. It's also the leading cause of sudden cardiac deaths in young people, which have surged in the US. Freedman, now 32, said: 'I had no idea what it was. How could I have this and not know?' Heart attack deaths have spiked in the US, with recent Harvard research suggesting a 17 percent increase in the years following the Covid pandemic. Those researchers found many of these attacks occurred at home, suggesting symptoms or precursors had been 'missed' until it was too late. Doctors told Freedman her heart muscle was more than 30 millimeters thick, three times more than an average healthy person's, suggesting her condition was advanced despite her being only 26. This usually happens in the septum, the wall dividing the heart's two bottom chambers. This crowds the heart's main pumping chamber, making it work harder to deliver blood throughout the body and triggering erratic heartbeats that can cause cardiac arrest. Freedman soon began taking medications to decrease her heart rate, lower cholesterol and relax the heart, including beta blockers, blood thinners and statins. Doctors also implanted a defibrillator into her chest three months later, which jolts the heart from an irregular rhythm back into a normal one. Despite losing 60 pounds in a year to put less stress on her heart, her symptoms did not improve and she 'was really limited.' Dr Daniele Massera, Freedman's cardiologist, said: 'She could only walk six minutes on the treadmill. At 26, you'd expect much more. She was having fainting spells despite medical therapy. 'Rachel wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, but if you faint and have a diagnosis of HCM, that's a very high-risk situation.' In August 2020, 15 months after her diagnosis, Freedman underwent a septal myectomy, a type of open-heart surgery meant to remove a portion of thickened heart tissue. It generally takes three to four hours. After surgery, Freedman completed four months of cardiac rehabilitation, which typically involves light cardio and strength workouts and education on heart-healthy interventions like diet and quitting smoking. Nearly five years later, Freedman can keep up with her friends on hikes and walk up the stairs without having to stop and catch her breath. Her chest pain is gone, and she can now walk the Brooklyn Bridge to get home instead of taking the subway. She also got married in 2022 and is pursuing a master's degree to become a high school guidance counselor. Freedman said: 'To my doctors, I'd say, "Not only did you save my life, you changed my life."'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
ALEXANDRA SHULMAN'S NOTEBOOK: How cherry vodka took the edge off my 'scanxiety'
It's exactly a year since I was in hospital, recovering from a six-hour operation to remove a cancerous tumour from my colon. This means two things. One, that it's Glastonbury weekend, which 12 months back I was watching from my adjustable bed wired up to a zillion tubes. Hospital days are long, but the nights are even longer, and lying in that dark ward the noisy joy of Glastonbury was a welcome distraction. The other, more haunting thing, is the onset of 'scanxiety'. As everyone who has cancer knows, this is the dread of the routine scan and what it might reveal. It messes with your head, removing a large dollop of rationality. Last week was my first-year follow-up colonoscopy, and on the morning of the procedure I looked at the cherry tree in our garden. We've been blessed with a magnificent amount of bright red, sadly sour fruit this summer, and along with fretting about the scan I was wondering what to do with it all. It seemed a shame to just leave the cherries dangling there for the pigeons to feed on, but I'm not a cherry pie kind of gal, nor a jam-maker. But then the scanxiety kicked in. Would doing something constructive with the cherries mean the scan would reveal some new horror? It's obviously not clear headed, but in my mind, having the hubris to think it was worth making something out of the cherries would be tempting fate. In the end, common sense prevailed and I made a jar of cherry vodka before heading to the hospital. Very fortunately, the scan was clear. I now have no excuse not to try my hand at the jam or pie making, and there's enough cherry vodka in the freezer to take the edge off my next bout of scanxiety. An at-home test could save you too On the subject of medical testing, my cancer was picked up by the DIY bowel cancer test mailed out by the NHS. Last week the Government announced it would be sending at-home cervical cancer tests to women who've never attended smear tests. My gut feeling is that most people who are too queasy to attend the testing already on offer are unlikely to do their own, but perhaps not having someone else prod around your vagina might be an encouragement. At any rate I would urge everyone who receives one to take up the offer. It could save your life. The terrible curse of White Lotus 'That's the plan.' Those three words haven't sounded the same since Season 3 of HBO's The White Lotus. Anyone who's seen the moving scene between the emotionally damaged Rick and the younger, optimistic hippie-chick Chelsea, when Rick finally agrees that their destiny is to be together for the rest of their lives, will remember those words. 'That's the plan,' he says to her astonishment. Next thing we know they are both murdered. Now whenever anyone says 'that's the plan', it's that scene with Walton Goggins in his tropical print shirt and Aimee Lou Wood's toothy grin, that comes to mind, and with it a sense of impending doom. My lack of curiosity didn't kill the cat! Time was running out to find someone to take care of our cat Coco when we went away recently, so for the first time in 18 years we searched online for help. We found TrustedHousesitters, which pairs owners with sitters. The process was similar to how I imagine online dating would be – a shot in the dark. I plumped for a sweet Canadian boy with five-star reviews who I only spoke to on FaceTime briefly before his arrival. The night before the trip I had a total panic. Despite being a woman who returned to work leaving her four-month-old son in the care of a nanny who'd only arrived the night before, abandoning Coco to a complete stranger felt more worrying. I realised that I knew nothing about the Canadian other than the basic information provided online. All I had was his mobile telephone number. I didn't even know his surname. I had visions of the subsequent news stories: 'Former Vogue editor's home is raided and cat killed by man she gave the keys to without bothering to learn his name.' As it happened there was no need for the front-page fears and we returned to a very happy cat. My son survived his nanny back then, too. Shining example of our lack of urgency Arhitect Norman Foster's plans for a memorial to the late Queen in St James's Park look splendid, in particular the glass balustrade bridge which will shimmer beautifully over the lake. But why does everything have to take so long? The final designs aren't going to be passed until next year and there is no completion date scheduled. With this country's tragic lack of urgency when it comes to getting things done, there's every chance we could be well into the next decade before this beautiful new parkscape emerges. Mysterious return of the mini dress It's not only the Kardashian clan at the Bezos wedding who are kitted out in mini dresses – they're springing up everywhere. After years of women in wafting midis, the mini is back. The famous hemline index – that long hems are fashionable in economically tough times while short skirts thrive in economic prosperity – isn't exactly describing what we're experiencing. But perhaps fashion knows something we don't? Now wouldn't that be fine.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Cannabis 'is worse for our society than heroin,' police tsars say - as they demand government upgrade it to a class A drug
More than a quarter of police and crime commissioners have written to the policing minister calling for cannabis to be upgraded to a class A substance, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. In the stark letter to Dame Diana Johnson MP, seen exclusively by this newspaper, 14 police chiefs claim the effect of the drug in society 'may be far worse' than heroin. They warn that 'we cannot allow this to become the Britain of the future'. And they also hit out at the recent report by the London Commission – backed by Labour London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan – which suggested decriminalising small amounts of cannabis, which is currently a class B drug. 'Heroin can kill quickly but the cumulative effect of cannabis in our society may be far worse,' the letter states. It adds that class A status – which comes with potential life sentences for suppliers – was the way forward 'rather than effective decriminalising'. And renowned psychiatrist Professor Sir Robin Murray, of King's College London, told The Mail on Sunday that the UK may now be 'at the beginnings of an epidemic of cannabis-induced psychosis' which could overwhelm NHS mental health services. The commissioners also pointed to other countries where laws are laxer, warning that the US has seen 'unofficial pharmacies' selling cannabis and the powerful opiate fentanyl alongside one another, while Portugal has been forced to consider reversing drug decriminalisation after a 30-fold increase in psychosis. They said cannabis's effects were so devastating it had 'more birth defects associated with it than thalidomide' – the notorious morning sickness drug which caused deformities among thousands of babies in the 1950s and 1960s. Their warnings came after Marcus Monzo, 37, was last week found guilty of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin's murder after he attacked him with a samurai sword in Hainault, east London, while in a state of cannabis-induced psychosis. David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, said cannabis legislation was 'clearly not fit for purpose' and likened it to 'using a machete for brain surgery'. He added the public wanted to see 'tougher measures' for cannabis possession because it was a gateway to harder drugs. His Devon and Cornwall counterpart Alison Hernandez said: 'The fact that we've been so blase about cannabis in society means that people think it's legal and normal, and it's not. 'We've got to show them that it's not, and the way you do that is to be quite fierce in your enforcement arrangements.' Latest figures show three in four people caught with cannabis avoid appearing in court, while 87 per cent of children and young people in alcohol and drug treatment cited cannabis dependency, compared to 39 per cent for alcohol. Stuart Reece, an Australian clinician and cannabis researcher quoted in the letter said more than 90 per cent of hard drug addicts he encountered had started with cannabis. He said pro-cannabis campaigners had the view it was 'my right to use drugs and destroy my body and you will pay for it through the NHS'. Dr Karen Randall, a physician in the US state of Colorado where recreational cannabis was legalised in 2012, said healthcare costs linked to the drug are 'exorbitant'. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer.'
