PDSA Weekly Vet Q&As 28 May

Dear PDSA Vet, We recently got two guinea pigs and my son wants to give them a bath. Do they need to be bathed? Jackie

Dear Jackie, guinea pigs shouldn't need to be routinely bathed. Healthy guinea pigs will take care of themselves very well with self-grooming, but you should check around their bottoms daily to make sure they're clean. Long-haired guinea pigs should have daily brushing to help them keep on top of their long locks. If you notice that either of your guinea pigs are getting dirty and they're not caring for themselves, then this could be a sign that they're not well. In this instance you can clean any dirty areas using warm water; gently wipe with a soft damp cloth, pat dry with a towel and contact your vet as soon as possible to get them checked over.

Dear PDSA Vet, my dog Clive got stung by a bee on his nose last summer, and had quite a bad reaction. He saw our vet and was ok, but now I'm worried about taking him out on summer walks. Could I carry anti-histamines with me in case he gets stung again? Moira

Dear Moira, poor Clive! Bee stings can be painful for dogs and worrying, particularly if they're stung on their face. Thankfully bad reactions like Clive's are fairly uncommon, and most dogs will only suffer mild swelling and pain in the area. However, if your dog is stung in the mouth or nose and you see swelling start, you must call your vet straight away for advice. As Clive has had a previous bad reaction, speak to your vet about prevention; anti-histamines can be helpful for some pets, but it's vital to only give these under veterinary guidance.  Your vet will advise on the most suitable treatment for your dog. For more information on dealing with bee stings, visit  www.pdsa.org.uk/insect-bites-and-stings-in-dogs   

Dear PDSA Vet, my cat Snowy has started wetting and messing inside the house. What can I do? Martin

Dear Martin, firstly, make an appointment with your vet as there can be many reasons why a cat starts soiling in the house. These can include health problems such as bladder or urine problems or behavioural issues, and your vet will be able to investigate further. If your cat gets a clean bill of health from the vet, then stress (sometimes caused by living with other cars or from feeling threatened by neighbouring cats) can also be a cause of toileting around the house. Make sure you have a litter tray for each cat in the home, plus an extra in a different spot to give your cat some choice, and place them somewhere quiet, away from walkways, doors and windows. Clean the trays daily, and use a litter Snowy has used  previously  www.pdsa.org.uk/how-to-litter-train-your-cat

My parents are due to go travelling in the summer and, for the first time, there will be no one at home to look after their 20 year old cat, Missy. She could stay with me, but I'm worried she won't know the area. What are their options? Christine

Dear Christine, many catteries are happy to take older, vaccinated cats and will know how to meet their needs. Ask them lots of questions, so you feel reassured of their knowledge by their answers and give clear instructions on what care Missy will need. However, Missy may be happier staying in her own home, a house sitter would be the best option, or if that's not possible, then asking a pet sitter, friend or neighbour to make at least twice daily visits could work better for you. If you know people in the area with their own pets, ask if there are any pet sitters who they can recommend. Local vets may also have a list of suggestions. Missy may find this less stressful than moving to a new area or a cattery temporarily. www.pdsa.org.uk/what-to-do-with-your-cat-when-you-go-on-holiday

For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk   

PDSA is the UK's largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn. Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information.