PDSA Weekly Vet Q&A

Dear PDSA, my partner and I recently adopted a dog together, a Crossbreed called Benny, and he's now our world. We love being pet owners, but after seeing many celeb break-ups in the news, if we one day ended our relationship, what would we do with Benny? Is there an agreement we could sign? Sonja 

Hi Sonja, there is such a thing as a 'pet-nup'. It's a pre-agreed plan for what will happen with a shared pet, should the worst happen. They typically include who will take care of them and where they will live, plus who would be responsible for on-going care, whether this be a shared agreement, or one person designated to become the sole carer.  

They are designed to make the end of a relationship a smoother process for both humans and any pets involved, hopefully keeping the best interests of the pet at the forefront of any decisions. If you want to make formal arrangements for your pet, should your relationship end, we'd recommend seeking legal advice before making firm decisions, and talking through how pet-nups stand in the eyes of the law. For more information visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/after-a-breakup  

Dear PDSA, recently my Syrian hamster has been sleeping for longer, and is slower in her movements. She hardly moves at all now, but she is still warm and breathing. Is she hibernating or is this old age? Aisha 

Hi Aisha, as hamsters get older, they do tend to sleep for longer and slow down a bit, but when they get up and about, they'll still look for food and drink as normal and go to the toilet. A Syrian hamster's average age is around two years old, however they can live longer. Even if your hamster is getting older, being less active and sleeping for longer could mean she's unwell and you should get her checked by your vet. If her living environment is warm and comfortable, where she has fresh food and water and her home has lots of enrichment to keep her happy, going into a state of 'tarpor' (often confused with hibernation) is extremely unlikely. For more information on how to make sure your hamster is healthy, visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/hamster-health  

Dear PDSA, I tried to give my eight-month-old kitten a bath, but she scratched me quite seriously. She has never been aggressive before. What do you suggest I do? Clare 

Hi Clare, many cats don't like being in water, which may explain the scratch! Because they groom themselves, cats only need bathing if they have got particularly dirty or have a substance like oil in their fur. Instead, it's better to groom them with a cat safe brush. It's recommended to brush cats regularly, daily for long haired cats as they can quickly become matted. It's best to start grooming when young, so that kittens become used to it. Not only does it keep your cat's coat healthy, but it gives you a chance to give them a daily health check at the same time. Start with very short sessions on your kitten's back and sides and use healthy treats as a reward for calm behaviour. If she's happy with this, then gradually increase the length of the sessions and move onto more sensitive areas such as her head and tummy. For more information on keeping your cat healthy visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/cat-health  

Dear PDSA, my 14-year-old Labrador Ludo, seems to be losing his hearing. He still hears some things and doesn't seem to be in any pain, but it appears to slowly be getting worse. Anything I should know? Khalil 

Hi Khalil, hearing loss can be due to a number of reasons. As pets get older, their organs and senses start to age too which can result in their senses not being as sharp as they once were. However, hearing loss can also be caused by problems with the ear, such as an ear infection or obstruction that can be treated, so do contact your vet to get Ludo checked over. Once you're reassured the ears are clear, then monitor any further changes. If it is hearing loss, you can take steps to retrain Ludo using hand signals, rather than voice commands, so that you can still communicate with him.  In addition, as he will be less aware of what is going on around him, make sure you help Ludo by approaching him from the front, making sure that he doesn't get surprised by you or others. Make a point of letting him see when you've left the room and rather than calling him for dinner or walks go up to him to get his attention. 

For more information visit 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.