Elderly people and pets

Legislation going before the UK parliament aims to make it more difficult for nursing homes and sheltered accommodation to refuse to accept pets belonging to older people who are admitted into their care. See here for more. Read more!

Why are swans and ducks dying in Cork?

This week on Ireland AM, I discussed the recent spate of deaths in swans and ducks in the Cork area. Click here to watch. I also answered a couple of queries from viewers....

1. How can I stop my dog from killing plants in my garden by urinating on them?
2. My Labrador is overweight and has arthritis. How can I help her?
3. My Bulldog is bright and well, but is barely eating just now. Should I be worried? Read more!

House rabbits, flea control, scavenging Labradors and should a cat drink treated pond water?

In the printed edition of my weekly column in the Daily Telegraph, I answered the usual diverse questions. Click here to read it. Read more!

How to give a pill to a cat

How do you give pills to cats? I'm sure many of you will have read this humorous piece about the process before, and I don't know who originally wrote it, but it's very, very funny when you first read it.....
Instructions for giving your cat a pill
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby.
2. Position left forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand.
3. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
4. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm again and repeat process.
5. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
6. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
7. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
8. Kneel on floor with cat held firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat’s head firmly with one hand while forcing mouth open. Drop pill down mouth and rub cat’s throat vigerously.
9. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
10. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse’s armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat’s mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
11. Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
12. Retrieve cat from neighbour’s shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
13. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw blood-stained T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
14. Ring the Fire Brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.
15. Tie cat’s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Force cat’s mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by a large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint water down throat to wash pill down.
16. Get spouse to drive you to the local accident and emergency department; sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call in to furniture shop on way home to order new table.
17. Arrange for vet to make a house call.

As far as I know, the above piece is freely available in the public domain - if anyone knows who originally wrote it, please let me know and I'll be happy to give them due credit

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The summer - a good time to get a new pup

A puppy is a wonderful addition to a family, and it was a day for celebration when Scooby arrived in the Murphy household. Rianna, the oldest daughter, had been asking her parents for a puppy for a long time, but they had sensibly waited until their youngest child Georgia was old enough to cope with a bouncing, boisterous bundle of young dog.
The Murphys made some other good decisions when they chose Scooby. They researched the breed of dog very carefully: a miniature Dachshund is small and friendly enough to be manageable by very young people. They obtained the puppy from an experienced breeder with a good reputation. They were able to meet the puppy’s mother, and the breeder was able to give them plenty of good advice for their first days with the puppy in their home.
The family also planned the timing of the puppy’s arrival very well. Scooby arrived in late July, so the children are in the middle of the school holidays, with plenty of time to focus on their new pet. This will ensure that Scooby becomes very well socialized with his new family before they need to depart during the daytime for the school term routine.
The Murphys made another sensible decision: Scooby was taken for his first appointment with the vet soon after they had collected him from the breeder. Scooby was not sick, and he had already been fully vaccinated, so his veterinary visit was not necessary for his immediate health. However, it was an important visit because vets are independent individuals who know about animals. The Murphys wanted to have Scooby checked out thoroughly to ensure that he was as healthy as he seemed. Pedigree puppies are not cheap, and hidden problems such as heart murmurs, hernias and other abnormalities are surprisingly common. An immediate check by a vet is a good way of ensuring that the puppy you have purchased is a healthy individual. If there is a serious underlying problem, it is best to find out as soon as possible, before you have become emotionally involved with the new arrival. If you have had a puppy for two or three weeks before the vet tells you that he has a serious heart murmur, you will find it very difficult to return the puppy to the breeder, where he may face an uncertain future.
When the Murphy family first came into my consult room with Scooby, they all knew about the risk that I might find something wrong with their new friend. There were a tense few minutes while I examined him from his nose to the tip of his tail, and listened carefully to his heart with a stethoscope. The news was good: I could find nothing wrong with Scooby. He was in prime physical condition.
Before the Murphys left, I took time to discuss the eight most important aspects of puppy care.
Vaccinations: All puppies need a full course of vaccinations before it is safe to take them for walks in areas visited by other dogs
Worms: Puppies commonly carry worms that can pose a risk to human health if not treated, so a regular worming schedule is essential
Fleas: The warm summer months mean that a flea invasion of the family home is a risk unless preventive measures are taken, such as drops that are placed once a month on the back of the puppy’s neck.
Diet: A balanced diet is essential for all puppies; household scraps are not good enough for a growing dog.
Microchipping: Many owners choose to have their new puppy microchipped for permanent identification, although nowadays all registered pedigree puppies should be chipped by the time they arrive in their new homes
Insurance: Modern veterinary care can be excellent, but it can also be very expensive. It is sensible to set up pet insurance as soon as you take in a new puppy, so that if your new family member runs into health problems, you can get the best treatment, paid for by the insurance company rather than out of your own pocket.
Neutering: as the slogan says. “It’s nicer to neuter”. For most pet dogs, it makes sense to arrange neutering of both males and females at around six months of age
Socialisation: Puppies like Scooby are fast to learn about new experiences, so it is good to let them meet plenty of people while they are still young, so that they are relaxed, well-behaved dogs with visitors when they grow up.
The first consultation with Scooby and the Murphy family took thirty minutes, and that was without even giving a vaccination. But they went away with plenty of information, and hopefully Scooby’s life in the Murphy home will be easier and smoother as a result.


Facts
+ The right puppy in the right household can be a wonderful addition to a family
+ The summer holidays are an excellent time to obtain your first puppy
+ You should visit your vet as soon as possible with your new puppy, even if vaccines have already been completed

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Q and A on TV3

This week's questions and answers on Ireland AM included some interesting ones. Click here to watch, or read on the find out what was asked. 1. My terrier has black extensions on her gums. What could they be?
2. A terrier with baldness and scabs on his back. What could be wrong?
3. I'm allergic to cats - what can I do to keep them out of my garden?
4. Our six month old pup gets sick in the car. What can we do to help her?
5. Our six year old boy is frightened of dogs. We're thinking of getting a puppy - what would be best breed be?
6. Our Bichon Frise is always barking. How can we control this? Are the collars safe?7. 7. My dog has a long nail. Can I clip it myself? Read more!

Dogs attacking postmen

This week on East Coast FM, I discuss dogs being over-territorial when it comes to interacting with friendly visitors to the family home. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETPOST.mp3

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What's happened to Michael Jackson's "family of animals"

Do you remember Bubbles the moon-walking chimp? And the other animals that Michael Jackson kept at Neverland? I've been doing a bit of digging around to find out where they've ended up. Click here to read about what I discovered. Read more!

Taking pets to Europe on holidays - the risks

This week, on TV3's Ireland AM, I discussed the health risks involved in taking dogs on holidays to overseas locations where there can be unexpected disease risks. Click here to watch. I also answered a couple of viewers queries.....
a) What can be done for a Bassett Hound with sore ears?
b) How can a cat be stopped from waking his owner for food in the early hours of the morning?
c) Is air travel safe for dogs? Should they be sedated prior to travel? Read more!

Q and A on TV3

The usual mix of questions from viewers. Click here to watch, or read on to find out what was covered this week....
1. How do you train a Labrador pup to stop jumping up on everyone
2. How often should I get my Bichon Frise trimmed?
3. Should I get my Jack Russell's nails cut?
4. My German Shepherd is bleeding from her back passage - what should I do?
5. Why does a Pomeranian run in circles all the time?
6. My Rottweiler is very nervous around strangers. How can I help him?
7. My German Shepherd likes licking human skin. Could she be lacking salt in her diet?
8. I have two new kittens and one hisses all the time, and they both have started eating the litter in their tray! What can I do? Read more!

Dogs in wheelchairs

Alison Barrett uses a “doggy wheelchair” to give her Corgi,Teva, enough mobility to live a good quality life again. I've written a blog post about her across at the Telegraph,which you can read by clicking here, but I've written a longer version for my own blog here if you read on. As a vet, it can be difficult to leave your job behind you, even when you go on holidays overseas. When visiting North America a couple of years ago, I met a dog out for a walk in a park, but she was a dog with a difference. It would be more accurate to say that her front legs were “out for a walk”, whereas her back legs were “out for a trundle”. Teva was in a specially adapted wheelchair, as you can see from her photograph. I stopped and had a long chat with the dog, Teva, and her owner, Alison. Wheelchairs for dogs are not new, but it is very rare to see them in Ireland. I found it very interesting and useful to obtain a first-hand account about an animal who has successfully adapted to a complete new means of mobility.
Teva’s problems started when she was very young. She suffered from a severe form of hip dysplasia, which is a congenital form of abnormality of the hip joints. She was able to move around reasonably well, because she was a small dog, but her back legs were always weak as a result.
Last year, she suffered a further problem with her right hind leg. She developed ruptured cruciate ligaments in her right knee, which resulted in complete loss of use of the leg. Her left leg, already weakened from the hip problem, was then unable to support Teva’s full weight. She was only able to move by dragging both back legs behind her.
At first, it was hoped that Teva would return to normal when the ligaments in her knee were repaired, but unfortunately, even after complex surgery, Teva was unable to stand up or walk on her hind legs. She continued to drag them behind her, and she began to develop scuffed, sore areas where she was rubbing on the ground. She was unable to go for walks at all, and Alison began to worry about her quality of life.
It was at this stage that she began to investigate the use of a wheelchair to help Teva. She found an excellent website – www.eddieswheels.com – which offers mail-order wheelchairs for pets, together with plenty of advice in their use. Alison took various measurements from Teva, completed an on-line order form, and after further discussions by phone and email, she ordered a custom-designed wheelchair.
Teva’s wheelchair is a lightweight aluminum construction, with a welded frame, machined fittings, stainless steel bolts and nuts, and plenty of foam padding to keep her comfortable at contact points. The harness at the front is well designed, so that Teva can be easily slotted in and out, as needed. She sleeps without the wheelchair, but she remains connected through most of the day, allowing her to move around as she pleases, just like any normal dog. The wheelchair was not cheap, at around $400 (€320) but it is clearly a high quality product, made of durable materials that will last for many years.
Dog wheelchairs are most commonly used for incurable spinal problems, such as paralysis following a broken back, or a severe slipped disc. Such dogs adapt remarkably well to life on wheels, but there are often additional difficulties to deal with, such as severe incontinence and the resulting hygiene problems. Although the use of a wheelchair in these cases does allow an extended stretch of life, it is not always an easy answer, and many people choose euthanasia instead.
Teva is fortunate in that she does not suffer from incontinence of any kind. Her spinal function is normal - her problem is specifically the loss of use of her hind legs due to the abnormalities of her hips and knees. This means that once she is in her wheelchair, she will happily go into the garden and “do her business” in the same was as any other dog. She lives with another small dog, and the two dogs often play together as if there is nothing wrong with Teva. Her wheels are very stable, and can even cope with rough ground. She lives as full a life as she did before her knee problem.
Teva is eleven years old now, and as a Corgi, she could live for another four or five years. Thanks to her wheelchair, those years are likely to be full and active years, with plenty of enjoyment of life. It was a pleasure to meet Alison and Teva while I was on holiday – they are a great example of a good pet-owner team. Teva is a friendly, good-natured animal, and Alison is a loving owner who is completely committed to the well-being of her much loved pet.

Facts
+ Wheelchairs for dogs can provide good quality of life for dogs with severe mobility problems
+ Cases need to be chosen very carefully, since they do not work well in every case
+ Your vet will help you to decide if your dog has a suitable type of condition
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The dangers of farm animals

A vet in the UK died last week after being crushed by cattle while walking her dogs. This week, I discuss the subject of safety around farm animals with Declan Meehan of East Coast FM. Click on the play button below to listen.

VETCOW.mp3

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Changing cat hair colour, unhappy hamsters and whether a working couple should get a dog

In my weekly column in the Daily Telegraph, printed today, I answered queries about a cat with a changing coat colour, an unhappy, itchy hamster, and an email from a couple who wondered if it was fair to get a dog, since they both work. Click here to read it. Read more!

Why do hens move their heads backwards and forwards when they walk?

I've been doing a little research: why do hens (and other birds, like pigeons) walk with that peculiar head-bobbing movement? If you want to know more, visit my Telegraph blog today. Read more!

Intelligence of pets.... on TV

This week on Ireland AM, we looked at the videos of the experiments looking at how "intelligent" cats are compared to dogs. Click here to watch. Read more!

Q & A on TV3

Lots of questions came in from viewers last week, and I tried to answer a good selection. Click here to watch, and read on to see what queries I covered....
1. Our Labrador is 13 and a little overweight. Is a two mile walk every day too much for her?
2. I have a three year old Jack Russell. Is he too old to be neutered?
3. Is it too late to train my two adult chihuahuas to walk on the lead?
4. I have a three year old Rottweiler and people tell me that she could turn any day on my 3 kids. Can this happen?
5. Would it be unfair for me to change my 7 year old cat into an indoor cat>
6. Our 11 year Collie has cracked pads on two paws. What condition is this and what can be done?
7. Why are most dog foods so high in carbohydrates when dogs are natural carnivores?
8. How do you stop a pup biting? Read more!

The UK's top tennis player and his dog

Andy Murray is the UK's highest hope for the Wimbledon championship for many years - and he has a Border Terrier to help him relax in the evenings. Click here to read about it. And here is the rest of it. Read more!

Budgies with sore beaks

I saw some budgies with sore beaks recently - read about them here. . Read more!

Discussing dog and cat intelligence on the radio

On East Coast FM this week, the subject of cats and intelligence came up again. Click on the play button below to listen.

vETiq.mp3

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Dog bites - on TV3

This week on Ireland AM, We discussed the risk of children being bitten by dogs. Click here to watch it. And here is the rest of it. Read more!

Are cats more stupid than dogs?

Some recent research has led to suggestions that cats aren't as smart as dogs. What's my take? Cats are cats, dogs are dogs, each smarter than the other in their own way. Click here to read my blog at the Telegraph on the subject. Read more!

Q & A on TV3

I answered a wide range of questions on TV3, as usual. Click here to watch. Queries included ......
1. A Jack Russell likes eating ice cubes: is this bad for her?
2. Why is a female rabbit pulling the fur out from under her belly?
3. Why are two tom cats spraying in the house, even though they were spayed when young?
4. A Boxer has kidney problems - she's on a heart tablet. Can anything else be done to help her?
5. An 18 month old Sheltie has not come into season yet. Should her owner be concerned?
6. A white German Shepherd is moulting a lot - what can be done to reduce the amount of hair being shed around the house?
7. A 10 year old canary has stopped singing. Why?
8. A two year old Terrier is very aggressive to other dogs. Would neutering help to calm him down?
9. A dog has ear mites that are difficult to get rid of. What can be done?
10. A rescued German Shepherd bitch had pups and is now very thin. How can her owners put weight on her?
Click here to see my answers to these queries. Read more!

Cherished Chihuahuas, sunscreen for pets and cat obesity

In my Daily Telegraph column this week, I answer a range of queries, from stick insects to Chihuahuas - it's amazing the range of questions that com in. Click here to read it. Read more!

Do animals know when they've done wrong?

In my Telegraph blog today, I report on research that looks into whether or not animals can feel guilt or shame. Click here to read it. Read more!

Puppy flushed down toilet

In a remarkable story of survival, a puppy was rescued after a four year old boy flushed her down the toilet. Click here to watch the video of the puppy, spotted by drain clearing experts on their video probe.The pup was only one week old when the four year old boy decided that his pet "needed a wash" after getting muddy. Luckily, the pup was perfectly healthy after being rescued from the drain. Read more!

Diabetes in cats

I've written a blog about diabetes in cats at the Telegraph. Read it here. Read more!

Dogs being killed brutally in China

I've written a blog at the Telegraph about a very distressing situation - the unnecessary and cruel slaughter of dogs in China after an outbreak of rabies. Click here to read it. Read more!

Spay Week - on the radio

This week I discussed Spay Week Ireland with Decland Meehan - click on the play button```below to listen

vetspayweek.mp3

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Spay Week Ireland - on television

This week on TV3, I discussed Spay Week Ireland - click here to watch it. Read more!

Tortoise nutrition, escaped stick insects and uncontrolled dogs

In my column in the Daily Telegraph printed on Saturday 6th June, I wrote about tortoises,stick insects and irresponsible dog owners. Click here to read it. Read more!