I have a nine-year-old Labrador, who is pretty fit. He's not overweight. How far is it safe to walk him now that he’s getting older?

Archie

Dear Archie,

I am glad to hear your Labrador is in such good shape. If you haven’t already had his weight and body condition checked by your vet, I would recommend taking your dog there to have this done, and also a routine check for arthritis and other diseases more commonly seen in older dogs. Osteoarthritis is a common problem in older dogs and causes pain and inflammation in the joints, and can be seen in both small and large breeds, so it’s important to keep them in healthy shape. Dogs with osteoarthritis will still need to maintain good levels of exercise. However, routines can be adjusted so they have shorter, gentler, but more frequent walks to keep their joints moving. If your dog doesn’t have any signs of arthritis, such as stiffness, reduced mobility or pain, he will be able to enjoy longer walks.

Dear PDSA Vet

My cat reacted really badly to fireworks on Bonfire night, she ran around the house like crazy and ended up hiding in a cupboard shaking. What can I do to help her through New Year’s Eve?

Clara

Dear Clara,

Many pets can be scared of the loud and unpredictable noises caused by fireworks. This can result in them shaking, hiding, trying to run away, or in some cases they may poo or wee inside the house. For now, make her a cosy den somewhere she feels safe and secure – for cats this can often be somewhere high up. Put a soft bed there and pad it out with pillows to muffle the noises, and give her praise or a healthy treat when she goes there to create positive associations. Try using pheromone diffusers, which can help keep pets calm. On the night, keep all the doors and curtains firmly closed, and play music to help mask the noises. If she hides somewhere, don’t try to force her to come out, but if she comes to you for comfort, give her the same reassurance as you always would – try not to do anything different to normal.

Long-term, you will need to start preparing now to help her cope better next year by desensitising her to these noises. This will take time and patience and is best done with the help of a trained behaviourist. More info is available at: www.pdsa.org.uk/fireworksready

Dear PDSA Vet

My cat Purdy keeps sneezing all the time, sometimes 20 times in a row. It seems to have started after I got her microchipped recently, could this be the cause?

Suki

Dear Suki,

It’s good to hear Purdy is now microchipped, as this will help to keep you both together. However the microchipping is unlikely to be the cause of her sneezing. It is possible that she has a respiratory infection. Cats with respiratory infections may sneeze and can often (but not always) have other symptoms, such as runny eyes or a runny nose. The sneezing could also be due to a different problem, such as having something stuck in her nose, or something in her environment could be irritating her airways. With so many possibilities to rule out, it’s best to see your vet, who can examine and treat Purdy.

Dear PDSA Vet

My dog's thick fur is normally enough to keep him warm, but it's been so cold recently I'm worried he might not be warm enough on his walks. Does he need to wear a dog coat?

Evie

Dear Evie,

Dogs with fine or thin fur (e.g. greyhounds and whippets), and dogs that are very young, underweight, old or unwell may benefit from wearing a dog coat when it’s extremely cold. To keep them toasty, they can also be taken outside for short periods instead during cold weather. However, a healthy and active dog with normal fur should be ok without a coat. But no pet should ever be left outside without access to shelter and warmth. If you notice your dog is shivering, bring him into the warmth straight away, as this is a sign that he’s cold. Being too cold can also lead to hypothermia, a serious and potentially fatal condition which will need veterinary attention.