From incurable dog disease worries to litter training rabbits

Jan 02, 2024

All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.

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 WANT to start litter training my rabbits Fluff and Tufty.

What is the best way to start this? They are house rabbits.

Molly Price, Glasgow

Sean says: Super easy.

Just place some of their soiled litter and hay from where they currently go to the toilet into a lined litter tray or two where you want them to go.

They should start going there pretty much straight away.

A corner is best, and believe it or not, rabbits also like to eat while they poop, so placing a rack with some delicious edible hay next to it can encourage them to take to it as well.

Make sure the sides of the tray aren’t too high, and also that there’s room for Fluff and Tufty to sit in there at the same time.

SEND your queries to [email protected]

Q) I HAVE read about an incurable dog disease called Brucella Canis which is spreading across the UK.

My husky, Oreo, is immune com­promised. What can I do to protect my dog?

Sharon Price, Nottingham

Sean says: While we are seeing more cases of Brucella Canis in UK dogs, it is still extremely rare.

We’re talking dozens of confirmed cases in a dog population of more than 12 million.

This bacterial disease is mainly coming in with imported dogs, many from Romania.

But it is present in many EU countries — Romania is just the country we import most dogs from.

It is potentially transmissible to humans too, so it’s a real concern.

But as long as your dog is neutered it’s unlikely they will catch it from another dog as it’s largely transmitted during breeding.

It can also be spread in urine and blood though, hence the small risk we could catch it from an infected dog. I think Oreo should be safe.

Q) LOPPY, my pet rabbit keeps ­getting hairballs.

I brush him twice a week. What else can I do to stop it?

Brenda Charles, Brighton

Sean says: What’s his diet like?

I wonder if he is lacking fibre in his food which should promote good gut motility and help to pass any ingested hairballs without them causing an obstruction.

Rabbits need about 80-90 per cent of their diet to be good-quality hay and grass, with the rest made up of fresh vegetables and a tiny amount of a complete pellet rabbit diet.

Absolutely no muesli mixes which are way too calorific, provide very little fibre and allow selective feeding.

Rabbits basically pick out all the sweet, tasty bits and leave the healthy stuff behind.

So if that’s what Loppy is on, his diet needs a total overhaul.

Q) MY snake Rob always has trouble shedding the skin around his eyes.

He has a bath, I keep things humid and he has things to rub on. Do you have any ­suggestions?

Paul Edwards, Norwich

Sean says: You’ve given me very little to go on, not even what species of snake, nor the temperature and humidity, whether he has any hides, preferably some humid and some dry.

So it’s very difficult to give you specific advice.

Snakes are complex animals and need exact environmental conditions to thrive.

Many owners take shortcuts on cage size or heating and lighting.

Difficulty shedding can be a sign you haven’t quite got his conditions right.

Do lots of research on his species and how best to care for him in ­captivity.

I hope you’re not one of these snake collectors who is keeping him in a tiny tub where he can’t regulate his own temperature and humidity by moving around.

TANGY Tom was callously abandoned in a box in a park – a victim of a 48 per cent rise in unwanted rabbits seen by RSPCA.

The charity has revealed the neutered buck would make a perfect house bunny – and they want to play cupid by rehoming him with a bunny girl too.

A spokesman said: “We are looking for Tangy Tom to have a girlfriend in his new home.

“He could suit a home as a house bunny.

“He loves veggie time and will come hopping over to take it gently.”

See rspca.org.uk

WE’VE joined forces with renowned dog whisperer Judy Comer-Calder to offer the chance for one reader to win a bespoke online dog training course worth £500.

It involves five online sessions, including tips to help you get the best out of them and tackle unwanted behaviours.

To enter, send an email headed TRAINING, containing your dog’s issue, to [email protected].

See thedevondoglady.co.uk T&Cs apply.

DOG owners are cutting back on essentials for themselves to keep treating their pooches.

Three out of four said their pup was worth every penny spent on keeping it happy, and they don’t care how much of their income goes on meeting their pets’ needs.

The study for online pet marketplace Rover.com found 68 per cent of owners ditched some of their own treats, so their dog doesn’t miss out.

Half of those quizzed fork out for fresh ingredients or high-nutrition dog food, 38 per cent go for “green” items such as biodegradable poo bags, while a third opt for gourmet treats.

Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist, said: “Despite the rising cost of living, it’s no surprise that owners want to spoil their dogs like they would with their family and friends.”

Average annual spend per breed on essentials:

READERS have until midnight tonight to enter our amazing Pet Idol Competition with Pets At Home, Vets For Pets and Pets Grooming.

We want to hear from you if you have Britain’s brainiest, most loving or most talented pet – and you could win a £1,500 prize.

Has your dog or cat helped you or others or sniffed out a problem? Or is your pet truly your best friend? Or does it perform a special trick or do something that brings happiness to you? If so, it's your last chance to send in your entry today as the competition closes tonight!

The winner will receive a £1,500 voucher to spend in store at Pets at Home and a photoshoot with one of The Sun on Sunday’s top photographers.

Two runners-up will each receive a £250 voucher.

Our panel of judges will be headed by Pets at Homes’ Dr Karlien Heyrman and Tails.com head vet Sean McCormack. Your pet may also appear on Pets At Home, Vets For Pets and our social media channels sharing just how amazing they are!

To enter Pet Idol 2023, send an email containing at least one clear photo of your pet (funny or cute) and your pet’s name and tell us why, in no more than 200 words, they are special and deserve to win.

Include your name and contact number and send to [email protected] by midnight Sunday July 16 2023. T&Cs apply.