From a hibernating tortoise to a guinea pig who thinks he’s Kylie Minogue – 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. He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
Q) I HAVE taken on my grandad’s 50-year-old tortoise, Eric.
I’m starting to think ahead to hibernation. What’s the best way to keep him over winter?
Brian Luck, Middlesbrough
Sean says: Overwintering tortoises is a much more complicated topic than tradition would have you believe, especially now climate change is interfering with natural seasons and life cycles.
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Right now, plants and animals are confused into thinking it’s actually spring, not early winter.
The risk of hibernating tortoises in the UK, where they are not native to, is that they will run out of energy reserves in mild winters and emerge weak or unwell in spring.
I’m assuming Eric is one of the Mediterranean species, like a Greek or Hermann’s tortoise perhaps.
If so, I recommend overwintering these indoors under a heat lamp and UVB light to mimic natural conditions slowing down.
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If you choose to hibernate him, then placing him in a cold outbuilding in a rodent-proof, ventilated crate full of straw for a month or two is fine, as long as you wake him with supplemental heat and lighting afterwards.
The days of leaving tortoises to the British weather to take their chances hibernating outdoors are, I’m afraid, just too risky
Q) OUR dog, Milly, is a 13-year-old border-Yorkshire terrier cross who constantly licks her feet, which we know can be a sign of stress.
She is always at the vets as she has problems with anal glands, ear infections and warts, which are all under control at the moment as she takes Apoquel — half a tablet once a day.
We know any drugs can have side effects. We’d do whatever it takes to get to the root of Milly’s problem but it seems we’re getting nowhere.
Neil Davies, Wrexham
Sean says: There are several red flags here for allergies. Itchy feet, ear infections and anal gland problems can all be symptoms.
There are two broad approaches to this complex issue. First, firefighting and keeping symptoms under control with anti
inflammatory, anti-itch medication such as Apoquel. The other is to try to get to the underlying cause, which can be costly and take a lot of time, and frustratingly, doesn’t always alter the treatment plan.
I’d book some time for a good chat with your vet to set out all the avenues you can go down.
A strict diet trial or “elimination diet” and a blood test for environmental allergies may be a good investment at this stage. Blood tests for food allergies are not usually accurate.
Q) MY cat, Tink, came home with a really nasty bite to his leg.
We’ve spent a fortune on vet bills as it was in such a state. Something obviously got hold of him.
Is there anything I can do to keep him safe in future? He loves his night-time prowls. I hope lightning won’t strike twice but I do worry about him.
Michael Hambleton, Warrington, Cheshire
Sean says: The only thing you can do to prevent this happening again is to keep him in, at least at night time when the neighbourhood’s territorial cats tend to be on the prowl and most fights happen.
There’s a growing number of cat owners who are keeping cats indoors, not only for their own safety from cats, other animals, traffic and disease, but also to reduce the impact of our pet cats have on wildlife and local ecosystems.
With a bit of imagination and effort, you can provide a very stimulating environment for Tink indoors with access to a catio or enclosure in the garden, or even investing in fencing for the garden that keeps him in his safe space. Worth considering.
Star of the week
BEAN the guinea pig has an alter ego – he thinks he’s Kylie Minogue.
The one-year-old pet loves “spinning around” when food is presented to him.
On other occasions, he acts like a dog and begs for treats.
Owner Lucy Okolo, 14, of Thornton Heath, South London, said: “Bean is like Kylie as he loves spinning around.
“He doesn’t like dandelions (and guinea pigs are meant to love them), he refuses to eat fruit unless it is cut up for him and he does twirls whenever he’s about to be fed something he likes.
Runaway Lola makes foxy new pal
A RUNAWAY dog struck up an extraordinary friendship with a wild fox in a real-life version of Disney movie The Fox And The Hound.
Lola, a one-year-old Beagle, was spotted playing with the fox.
Michelle Newns-Peers, of Greater Manchester Lost Dog Search and Rescue Capture Team said: “The fox was Lola’s guardian angel.
It watched over her as she slept.” Lola had been rescued for just three weeks by Laura Nekookie, 39, and her daughter, six, when she ran off last month, spooked by a noise.
Michelle added: “We had multiple reports of her with a fox.
“Then someone messaged to say she was caught on CCTV resting in a garden with the fox watching over her, before they set off again.
“For a fox and a Beagle to forge a friendship, was so heartwarming.
“When we finally caught Lola using a humane trap it was bittersweet.
“While it was essential for her safety, and she was getting thin, it was also the end of that beautiful, extraordinary and unique friendship.
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“But Lola is now safe and happy at home with Laura and her family – and she’s made a full recovery.”
“He’s a total diva.”
WIN: Seven perfect presents
STUCK for what to buy your cat this Christmas? The Sun on Sunday has teamed up with PetSafe Brand to give one lucky reader the chance to win seven “pawfect” presents, worth £250.
They are sure to suit even the most discerning feline. To enter, send an email headed PETSAFE containing your name, address and contact number to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk by December 11.
See: petsafe.com/UK T&Cs apply.