PDSA Weekly Q&A
Dear PDSA, my cat, Nala always finds tablets hidden in her food – how can I get her to take her medicine? Naomi
Hi Naomi, getting pets to take their medication is important but can be a challenge when you've got a clever cat like Nala. Depending on the medication, it may be safe to crush the tablet into her food, or there may be a liquid version available which might be easier, so do ask your vet. Otherwise, if Nala won't take a tablet hidden in her normal food, try using something strong-flavoured and tasty, offered before her full meal when she's hungry, such as a small amount of cheese (has the extra benefit of being mouldable so you can wrap it around the tablet), peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain xylitol), or sausage. If tablets are the only option for Nala, you may need to learn how to pop them 'straight down the hatch!'; you can find more helpful tips here: www.pdsa.org.uk/phh
Dear PDSA, my rabbit, Stomp, is tipping his head to the side and he's wobbling when he walks around. What is wrong with him? Mike
Hi Mike, the head tilt and wobble could be due to a number of reasons. Head tilts are often caused by a problem inside the ear or brain. For example, Stomp could potentially be suffering from a problem within his ear, such as an infection, parasites or even a foreign body – something that has got stuck inside the ear canal or absolutely worst case scenario, a tumour. We'd highly advise you take Stomp to see your vet urgently, who, depending on the diagnosis, will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for him. More information about caring for rabbits can be found, here: www.pdsa.org.uk/rabbits
Dear PDSA, my young Maltese, Noodle has started to hop on one of her legs, I've checked her paw and can't see anything causing it, do you know what might be the cause? Rayan
Hi Rayan, without a full examination, the 'hop' would be hard to diagnose. Although you've had a good look at Noodle's paw, there's a chance there could be something lodged in there that isn't visible to the naked eye, especially if this is a sudden problem. A sore nail, something sharp in the pad or grass seeds can cause problems if they embed into the paw, watch to see if Noodles is nibbling and paying attention to a certain area on the paw as that's often a good indicator. We'd definitely recommend taking Noodle to the vet so they can have a thorough check over though. It doesn't have to be his paw - a few joint issues can cause 'hop-like' symptoms, including luxating patella, a slipping kneecap, so it's definitely a good idea to have this checked sooner rather than later.
Dear PDSA, my dog Charlie absolutely adores peanut butter, can I just check, why is xylitol dangerous for dogs? Flora
Hi Flora, Charlie isn't alone as peanut butter makes for a high reward treat for dogs! It's always worth being mindful of the amount of peanut butter Charlie is getting as it can be quite fattening for our pets, so best occasionally and in small amounts. Xylitol, also known as birch sugar is a natural sweetener that's safe for humans and used widely. It's low in calories and is often found in sugar-free foods including peanut butter spreads, chewing gum and some medicines. However, in dogs, it causes a sudden and dangerous drop in blood glucose levels, additionally even a small amount can cause serious liver damage and even death. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, disorientation and seizures. Seek veterinary help straightaway if you believe your dog has eaten anything containing xylitol or birch sugar. For more information on what's poisonous for pets, visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/poisons
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.
